William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He wrote about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and several other poems between 1589-1613. His plays, including Romeo and Juliet, are considered some of the finest in English literature. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about two young star-crossed lovers from feuding families, whose deaths unite their families. It was one of Shakespeare's earliest works written in the 1590s, drawing from older stories of doomed lovers, and remains one of his most popular plays today through its themes of love, fate, and reconciliation.

1. William Shakespeare:
William Shakespeare (baptised 26 April
1564; died 23 April 1616) was
anEnglish poet and playwright, widely
regarded as the greatest writer in
the English language and the world's pre-
eminent dramatist He is often called
England's national poet and the "Bard of
Avon". His surviving works, including
some collaborations, consist of about
38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative
poems, and several other poems. His
plays have been translated into every
major living language and are performed
more often than those of any other
playwright.[3]
Shakespeare was born and brought up
in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18,
he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he
had three children: Susanna, and
twins Hamnetand Judith. Between 1585
and 1592, he began a successful career
in London as an actor, writer, and part
owner of a playing company called
the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known
as the King's Men. He appears to have
retired to Stratford around 1613 at age 49,
where he died three years later. Few
records of Shakespeare's private life
survive, and there has been considerable
speculation about such matters as his
physical appearance, sexuality, religious
beliefs
Shakespeare produced most of his known
work between 1589 and 1613. His early
plays were mainly comedies and histories,
genres he raised to the peak of
sophistication and artistry by the end of
the 16th century. He then wrote
mainlytragedies until about 1608,
including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello,
and Macbeth, considered some of the
finest works in the English language. In his
last phase, he
wrote tragicomedies, also known as
romances, and collaborated with other
playwrights.
Many of his plays were published in
editions of varying quality and accuracy
during his lifetime. In 1623, two of his
former theatrical colleagues published
the First Folio, a collected edition of his
dramatic works that included all but two of
the plays now recognised as
Shakespeare's.
Shakespeare was a respected poet and
playwright in his own day, but his
reputation did not rise to its present
heights until the 19th century.
The Romantics, in particular, acclaimed
Shakespeare's genius, and
the Victorians worshipped Shakespeare
with a reverence that George Bernard
Shaw called "bardolatry".In the 20th
century, his work was repeatedly adopted
and rediscovered by new movements in
scholarship and performance. His plays
remain highly popular today and are
constantly studied, performed, and
reinterpreted in diverse cultural and
political contexts throughout the world.

2. Romeo and Juliet:
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written
early in the career of playwright William
Shakespeareabout two young star-
crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately
unite their feuding families. It is among
Shakespeare's most
popular archetypal stories of young,
teenage lovers.
Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of
tragic romances stretching back to
antiquity. Its plot is based on an Italian
tale, translated into verse as The Tragical
History of Romeus and Juliet by Arthur
Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose
in Palace of Pleasure by William Painterin
1582. Shakespeare borrowed heavily from
both but, to expand the plot, developed
supporting characters,
particularly Mercutio and Paris. Believed
written between 1591 and 1595, the play
was first published in a quarto version in
1597. This text was of poor quality, and
later editions corrected it, bringing it more
in line with Shakespeare's original.
Shakespeare's use of dramatic structure,
especially effects such as switching
between comedy and tragedy to heighten
tension, his expansion of minor
characters, and his use of sub-plots to
embellish the story, has been praised as
an early sign of his dramatic skill. The play
ascribes different poetic forms to different
characters, sometimes changing the form
as the character develops. Romeo, for
example, grows more adept at
the sonnet over the course of the play.
Romeo and Juliet has been adapted
numerous times for stage, film, musical
and opera. During the Restoration, it was
revived and heavily revised by William
Davenant. David Garrick's 18th-century
version also modified several scenes,
removing material then considered
indecent, and Georg Benda's operatic
adaptation omitted much of the action and
added a happy ending. Performances in
the 19th century, including Charlotte
Cushman's, restored the original text, and
focused on greater realism. John Gielgud's
1935 version kept very close to
Shakespeare's text, and used Elizabethan
costumes and staging to enhance the
drama. In the 20th century the play has
been adapted in versions as diverse
as MGM's comparatively faithful 1936 film,
the 1950s stage musical West Side Story,
and 1996's MTV-inspired Romeo + Juliet.

3. William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in 26 April 1564 and died in 23 April 1616.He was
an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the
English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. His surviving works,
including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long
narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into
every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other
playwright.
Shakespeare was born and brought up in Stratford-upon-Avon. At the age of 18,
he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and the
twins Hamnet and Judith. He appears to have retired to Stratford around 1613 at
age 49, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life
survive, and there has been considerable speculation about such matters as his
physical appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs, and whether the works attributed
to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early
plays were mainly comedies and histories, genres he raised to the peak of
sophistication and artistry by the end of the 16th century. He then wrote mainly
tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and Macbeth,
considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he
wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other
playwrights. Shakespeare was a respected poet and playwright in his own day, but
his reputation did not rise to its present heights until the 19th century. Some of
his most famous plays are: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Hamlet, and Macbeth.
The most striking feature of Shakespeare is his command of language. It is all the
more astounding when one not only considers Shakespeare's sparse formal
education but the curriculum of the day. There were no dictionaries; the first such
lexical work for speakers of English was compiled by schoolmaster Robert
Cawdrey as A Table Alphabeticall in 1604. Although certain grammatical treatises
were published in Shakespeare's day, organized grammar texts would not appear
until the 1700s. Shakespeare as a youth would have no more systematically
studied his own language than any educated man of the period.
Shakespeare is credited by the Oxford English Dictionary with the introduction
of nearly 3,000 words into the language. His vocabulary, as culled from his works,
numbers upward of 17,000 words. In the words of Louis Marder, "Shakespeare
was so facile in employing words that he was able to use over 7,000 of them—
more than occur in the whole King James version of the Bible—only once and
never again."

4. Shakespeare's English is only one linguistic generation removed from that which
we speak today. Although the Elizabethan dialect differs slightly from Modern
English, the principles are generally the same. There are some anomalies today
with prepositional usage and verb agreement, and certainly a number of
Shakespeare's words have shifted meanings or dropped, with age, from the
present vocabulary. Word order, as the language shifted from Middle to Early
Modern English, was still a bit more flexible, and Shakespeare wrote dramatic
poetry, not standard prose, which gave some greater license in expression.
However, Elizabethan remains a sibling of our own tongue, and hence, accessible.
This facility with language, and the art with which he employed its usage, is why
Shakespeare is as relevant today as he was in his own time.
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright
William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths
ultimately unite their feuding families. It is among Shakespeare's most popular
archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.
The play, set in Verona, begins with a street brawl between Montague and
Capulet supporters who are sworn enemies. The Prince of Verona intervenes and
declares that further breach of the peace will be punishable by death. Later,
Count Paris talks to Capulet about marrying his daughter, but Capulet is wary of
the request because Juliet is only thirteen. Capulet asks Paris to wait another two
years and invites him to attend a planned Capulet ball. Lady Capulet and Juliet's
nurse try to persuade Juliet to accept Paris's courtship.
Meanwhile, Benvolio talks with his cousin Romeo, Montague's son, about
Romeo's recent depression. Benvolio discovers that it stems from unrequited
infatuation for a girl named Rosaline, one of Capulet's nieces. Persuaded by
Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo attends the ball at the Capulet house in hopes of
meeting Rosaline. However, Romeo instead meets and falls in love with Juliet.
After the ball, in what is now called the "balcony scene", Romeo sneaks into the
Capulet orchard and overhears Juliet at her window vowing her love to him in
spite of her family's hatred of the Montagues. Romeo makes himself known to her
and they agree to be married. With the help of Friar Laurence, who hopes to
reconcile the two families through their children's union, they are secretly
married the next day.
Juliet's cousin Tybalt, incensed that Romeo had sneaked into the Capulet ball,
challenges him to a duel. Romeo, now considering Tybalt his kinsman, refuses to
fight. Mercutio is offended by Tybalt's insolence, as well as Romeo's "vile
submission," and accepts the duel on Romeo's behalf. Mercutio is fatally wounded
when Romeo attempts to break up the fight. Grief-stricken and wracked with
guilt, Romeo confronts and slays Tybalt.

5. Montague argues that Romeo has justly executed Tybalt for the murder of
Mercutio. The Prince, now having lost a kinsman in the warring families' feud,
exiles Romeo from Verona and declares that if Romeo returns, "that hour is his
last." Romeo secretly spends the night in Juliet's chamber, where they
consummate their marriage. Capulet, misinterpreting Juliet's grief, agrees to
marry her to Count Paris and threatens to disown her when she refuses to become
Paris's "joyful bride." When she then pleads for the marriage to be delayed, her
mother rejects her.
Juliet visits Friar Laurence for help, and he offers her a drug that will put her into
a death-like coma for "two and forty hours." The Friar promises to send a
messenger to inform Romeo of the plan, so that he can rejoin her when she
awakens. On the night before the wedding, she takes the drug and, when
discovered apparently dead, she is laid in the family crypt.
The messenger, however, does not reach Romeo and, instead, Romeo learns of
Juliet's apparent death from his servant Balthasar. Heartbroken, Romeo buys
poison from an apothecary and goes to the Capulet crypt. He encounters Paris
who has come to mourn Juliet privately. Believing Romeo to be a vandal, Paris
confronts him and, in the ensuing battle, Romeo kills Paris. Still believing Juliet
to be dead, he drinks the poison. Juliet then awakens and, finding Romeo dead,
stabs herself with his dagger. The feuding families and the Prince meet at the
tomb to find all three dead. Friar Laurence recounts the story of the two "star-
cross'd lovers". The families are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to
end their violent feud. The play ends with the Prince's elegy for the lovers: " For
never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

7. WILLIAM
SHAKESPEARE
William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 and died on April 23, 1616. Was an English poet and
playwright. Is widely regarded as the most important writer who wrote in English and one of the
most important playwrights pagkosmios.Sychna called England's national poet and the "Bard of
Avon". The surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154
sonnets, two long narrative poems and several other poems. His works have been translated
into many languages of the world and more often interpreted the works of any other
playwright.
They have saved only a few records on the private life of Shakespeare have been considerable
speculation about issues such as external appearance, sexuality, religious beliefs and whether
the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare wrote most of the known works between 1589 and 1613 and managed to deal
with absolute mastery both comedy and drama and tragedy. His works are inspired by a deep
understanding of human nature and remain relevant. Its effect, especially in English literature, is
enormous. The Romantics recognized his genius and the Victorians loved in a way that George
Bernard Shaw called "vardolatreia".
Shakespeare was born in the village of Stratford-upon-Avon (or simply Stratford) in 1564.
The exact date of birth remains unknown to date. The only known information that exists is that
the baptism took place on April 26, as recorded in church registers of Stratford. Moreover, it is
known that at the time of the christening ceremony was only a few days after birth. Traditionally
it has come to be regarded as the birthday of Shakespeare the 23rd April, St George's Day. This
date, which comes from an incorrect estimate of a scholar of the 18th century, proved attractive
to biographers since Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616.

8. William Shakespeare was the third of eight children and the largest surviving son of John
Shakespeare and Mary Arden. Mary Arden was the daughter of a wealthy landowner and John
Shakespeare was one of the elders of the village [20]. John Shakespeare also belonged to the
association of manufacturers of gloves, but participated in other businesses such as trade in
hides. He had political acquaintances and several times was appointed to senior positions. For a
while even when William was 4 years old, was mayor of Stratford.
So as a member of a prominent family of both William Shakespeare learned from very small to
read and write. Although attendance does not have survived that period, most biographers
agree that Shakespeare probably trained at the New School in Stratford, which was founded in
1553 by King Edward VI. During the Elizabethan era, schools varied in quality but the curriculum
was dictated by law throughout England and the school providing classical education and
intensive training in the Latin language. Having studious character, Shakespeare read widely in
his youth, though not writing much. Most of his time spent in studying Latin, reciting by heart
long passages from poems. Without even guessing, so sharpened his memory and his speech,
which are essential for subsequent career as an actor.
Stated in 1592 as a member of the London theater scene. Scholars refer to the years between
1585 and 1592 as the "lost years" of Shakespeare. Much has been written about Shakespeare's
efforts to impose as an actor and writer in London, but hardly reflect the reality. A history of the
18th century brought Shakespeare to the theatrical launches career as groom earned a living
fylagontas horses of wealthy spectators and patrons of the theater. However there is no
historical evidence to prove that Shakespeare was in that position. In contrast, at 28, he was a
veteran actor. And as the 52, who died, was always popular and sought after.
It is not known exactly when he began to write Shakespeare, but reports of his time and records
show that some performances of his works had risen in London's scene since 1592. His
biographers believe that his career should be started after the mid-1580. Later Shakespeare and
the whole theater group to which he belonged, was under the favor of Queen Elizabeth I of
England. Often playing in front of the queen and the court of the days of Christmas or other
holidays. Elizabeth Chamberlain was the sponsor for being there and saying "Humans
Chamberlain" (The Lord Chamberlain's Men). The works of Shakespeare performed only by the
Lord Chamberlain's Men, who were now the leading theater company in London.
After the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, England's King James I took over. " When the new king
came to London, Shakespeare, along with other distinguished actors and writers in the country

9. greeted the entrance of the city. Fortunately for Shakespeare's King James loved the theater as
much as the predecessor. Scholar he argued that literature and the arts protected. Ten days
after the coronation of the king officially got under the protection of the Shakespeare troupe.
Since then, the theater group was renamed "The People's King" (The King's Men).
Some of Shakespeare's works began to be published in 1594. In 1598, and since he had already
become known, the name of Shakespeare and started appearing on the covers. Despite his
success as a dramatist, Shakespeare continued to play both in his own works and in works of
other dramatists. The poet and playwright Ben Jonson mentions it to the actors who played in
his works [39] hence the absence of his name from the list of actors who played in 1605 in
"Volpone" is regarded by some scholars as an indication that Shakespeare's career as an actress
was coming to an end. But later, Shakespeare appears as one of the main actors in projects that
went for the first time on stage after "Volpone", although we can not know for certain what
roles he played.
During his career, Shakespeare divided his time between London and Stratford. In 1596, the
year before purchased New Place in Stratford, Shakespeare lived in the parish of St. Helen
Bisopsgkeit of London, north of the River Thames. He moved to the other side of the Thames in
London Saouthgouork, in 1599, ie the year of construction of the theater baton [43]. In 1604 he
moved back north of the river, an area with many nice homes north of the Cathedral of St. Paul.
There he rented rooms from a French Huguenots that made wigs for ladies.
After 1606, Shakespeare wrote a few projects and none attributed to him after 1613. He died on
April 23, 1616 leaving behind his wife and two daughters.
Shakespeare was buried two days after his death, the temple of the Holy Trinity Church in
Stratford-upon-Avon. On his tomb was placed after his one desire inscription carved in stone
slab covering the tomb. The inscription contains a curse against moving the bones, which
carefully avoided during the restoration of the temple in 2008.

10. The first recorded works of Shakespeare is "Richard III" and the three parts of "Henry VI",
written in early 1590, at a time when the historical drama was fashionable. But the works of
Shakespeare is difficult to dated and textual studies show that the "Titus Andronicus", the
"comedy of misunderstanding", the "Taming of the Shrew" and "Two Princes of Verona" also
belong to the first period Shakespeare. The first stories, which are drawn from the "Chronicles
of England, Scotland and Ireland" by Raphael Cholinsent, dramatize the destructive results of
weak or corrupt and power have been interpreted as a justification of the origin of the House of
Tudor. The first works were influenced by the works of other Elizabethan dramatists, the
traditions of medieval drama and the works of Seneca. The "comedy of misunderstanding" was
also based on classical models, but found no source for "Taming of the Shrew", although
associated with another project with the same title and can be derived from the folk tradition.
Like "Two Lords of Verona," in which two friends appear to approve of rape, so the history of
the Shrew, where the independent spirit of a woman tamed by a man, sometimes puzzle the
modern critics and directors.
In mid 1590, early and classic Italian style comedies of Shakespeare yielding their place in the
romantic atmosphere of the major comedies. The "Midsummer Night's Dream" is a witty
mixture of romance, magic and comedy scenes. The next comedy by Shakespeare, the equally
romantic "Merchant of Venice ', depicting the vengeful Jew usurer Sailok a way that reflects the
views of the time but in today's audiences may seem pejorative. The clever wordplay of "Much
Ado About Nothing", the enchanting environment of "Like Love" and the live celebration of
"Twelfth Night" complete turn of the great comedies of Shakespeare. After the lyric "Richard II",
which is written almost entirely in rhyming verse, Shakespeare introduced prose comedy in the
works "Henry IV" (1st and 2nd place) and "Henry V" at the end of early 1590. His characters are
becoming more complex and skillfully alternating comic and serious scenes, prose and poetry,
achieves the narrative variety of mature work. This period begins and ends with two tragedies:
the "Romeo and Juliet", the famous romantic drama about adolescence, love and death, and
"Julius Caesar"-based on a translation made in 1579 by Sir Thomas North Plutarch in his "Parallel
Lives" - introduced a new type of drama.
Hamlet, Horace, the Marcellus and the Ghost of Hamlet's Father (table Fysli Heinrich,
1780-1785, Kounstchaous, Zurich)
In the early 17th century, Shakespeare wrote comedy "Measure for Measure," "Troilus and
Cressida" and "End of All Good Well" and some of the most famous tragedies. Many critics
believe that the greatest of Shakespeare's tragedies represent the peak of his art. Hamlet, the
hero of the famous tragedy by William Shakespeare, probably has been discussed more than
any other Shakespearean character, especially for the famous monologue "To be or not to live,
here's the question" [76]. Unlike the introverted Hamlet, whose hesitation proved fatal, the

11. heroes of the tragedies that followed, Othello and King Lear, characterized by hasty and
incorrect assessment. The evolution of Shakespeare's tragedies often depends on such fatal
errors or shortcomings that compromise the order of things and destroy the hero and those
who love [78]. In "Othello", the malicious Iagos causes jealousy of Othello, who goes as far as to
murder the innocent wife who loves him. In "King Lear", the king commits the tragic mistake to
abandon the throne marked the beginning of events leading to the murder of his daughter and
the torture and blinding of the Earl of Gloucester. In "Macbeth," the shortest of Shakespeare's
tragedy [80], the uncontrollable ambition incites Macbeth and the wife, Lady Macbeth, to
murder the lawful king and usurp the throne, until he destroyed the last great guilt tous.Oi
tragedies of Shakespeare, "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Coriolanus", containing some of the
best poems were considered the most successful tragedies by the poet and critic Thomas Stern
Eliot.
In the last period, Shakespeare turned to romance and tragicomedy and completed three other
major projects: "Kymvelinos," "The Winter's Tale" and "The Tempest" and the result of
cooperation "Pericles." Less murky than his tragedies, these four projects are more serious in
tone than the comedies of the decade of 1590 and end with reconciliation and forgiveness of
potentially tragic errors [84]. Some commentators have seen this change in mood as evidence of
a more serene view of life from the hand of Shakespeare, but may merely reflect the theatrical
fashion of the era [85]. Shakespeare with another dramatist collaborated on two further
surviving plays: the "Henry VIII" and "The Two Relatives Lords."
Views
The restored theater baton to London
It is not clear what theater companies Shakespeare wrote his first works. The cover of "Titus
Andronicus" version of the 1594 reveals that the project had been played by three different
companies. After the epidemics of the Black plague years 1592-1593, the works of Shakespeare
interpreted by his own theater troupe in the north of the Thames. When the troupe was in
dispute with the owner of the plot, the actors demolished the theater and used the wood to
build on the south bank of the Thames theater baton, the first theater built by actors for actors
[86]. The clubs opened in the fall of 1599 and "Julius Caesar" was one of the first projects that
came up on stage. Most of the works written by Shakespeare were written after 1599 for the
baton, including "Hamlet," of "Othello" and "King Lear" [87] [88].
Despite the fact that recordings of performances is fragmentary, it seems that Shakespeare's
troupe played seven times in the court of King James I on November 1, 1604 until October 31,

12. 1605, including reported and two performances of "Merchant of Venice ". Then in 1608 they
played in the closed theater Blakfraiars during the winter and the baton during the summer. The
interior space combined with the fashion of the season, allowed Shakespeare to introduce more
elaborate stage sets. In "Kymvelino" for example, Jupiter descends amid thunder and lightning
sitting up in a kite, so throw a lightning and ghosts fall on their knees [89].
The fact that Shakespeare except that he wrote his works already played, made him unrivaled
among other authors. Shakespeare did not write just to write, but to live. He lived his work. As
viewers watched him, and so he watched the audience and watched their reactions. There were
few times when the scene was changing his words trying to convey as much meaning could
better and satisfy most viewers. He had such capacity to correspond to the demands of the
public, that even today his works continue to fascinate the viewer with its brightness [90].
Written sources
Cover version of 1623 with works of Shakespeare. Etching of Martin Droeshout.
In 1623 two actors, who were friends of Shakespeare, issued a collection of his works, consisting
of 36 texts, of which 18 were printed for the first time. Many of his works had already appeared
in various publications for which there is no evidence that Shakespeare approved them [91].
There are projects where the surviving copies differ from one another. These differences may be
due to copying or printing errors, notes from the actors or the public or even the actual
documents of Shakespeare [92]. In some cases, for example in "Hamlet", in "Troilus and
Cressida" and "Othello," Shakespeare may after the first edition have been revised texts.
However in the case of "King Lear" there are significant differences between the first edition and
in that of 1623 [93].
Poems
In 1593 and 1594, when the theaters were closed because of plague, Shakespeare published
two narrative poems on erotic themes, "Venus and Adonis" and "The Rape of Lucretia." At first
an innocent Adonis rejects the sexual challenges of Venus while the second is the virtuous
Lucretia raped by the lustful Tarkinio. With influence from the "Metamorphoses" of Ovid [94]
the poems show the guilt and moral confusion that result from an uncontrolled desire. Both
proved very popular and were reprinted several times during the life of Shakespeare.
ROMEO and JULIET

13. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright
William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their
feuding families. It is among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage
lovers.
Romeo and Juliet belongs to a tradition of tragic romances stretching back to antiquity. Its plot is
based on an Italian tale, translated into verse as The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet by
Arthur Brooke in 1562 and retold in prose in Palace of Pleasure by William Painter in 1582.
Shakespeare borrowed heavily from both but, to expand the plot, developed supporting
characters, particularly Mercutio and Paris. Believed written between 1591 and 1595, the play
was first published in a quarto version in 1597. This text was of poor quality, and later editions
corrected it, bringing it more in line with Shakespeare's original.
Shakespeare's use of dramatic structure, especially effects such as switching between comedy
and tragedy to heighten tension, his expansion of minor characters, and his use of sub-plots to
embellish the story, has been praised as an early sign of his dramatic skill. The play ascribes
different poetic forms to different characters, sometimes changing the form as the character
develops. Romeo, for example, grows more adept at the sonnet over the course of the play.
Romeo and Juliet has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, musical and opera. During
the Restoration, it was revived and heavily revised by William Davenant. David Garrick's
18th-century version also modified several scenes, removing material then considered indecent,
and Georg Benda's operatic adaptation omitted much of the action and added a happy ending.
Performances in the 19th century, including Charlotte Cushman's, restored the original text, and
focused on greater realism. John Gielgud's 1935 version kept very close to Shakespeare's text,
and used Elizabethan costumes and staging to enhance the drama. In the 20th century the play
has been adapted in versions as diverse as MGM's comparatively faithful 1936 film, the 1950s
stage musical West Side Story, and 1996's MTV-inspired Romeo + Juliet.

14. William Shakespeare was born to John Shakespeare and mother Mary Arden some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.
There is no record of his birth, but his baptism was recorded by the church, thus his birthday is assumed to be the 23 of April. His
father was a prominent and prosperous alderman in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, and was later granted a coat of arms by the
College of Heralds. All that is known of Shakespeare's youth is that he presumably attended the Stratford Grammar School, and did
not proceed to Oxford or Cambridge. The next record we have of him is his marriage to Anne Hathaway in 1582. The next year she
bore a daughter for him, Susanna, followed by the twins Judith and Hamnet two years later.
Seven years later Shakespeare is recognized as an actor, poet and playwright, when a rival playwright, Robert Greene, refers to him
as "an upstart crow" in A Groatsworth of Wit. A few years later he joined up with one of the most successful acting troupe's in London:
The Lord Chamberlain's Men. When, in 1599, the troupe lost the lease of the theatre where they performed, (appropriately called The
Theatre) they were wealthy enough to build their own theatre across the Thames, south of London, which they called "The Globe." The
new theatre opened in July of 1599, built from the timbers of The Theatre, with the motto "Totus mundus agit histrionem" (A whole
world of players) When James I came to the throne (1603) the troupe was designated by the new king as the King's Men (or King's
Company). The Letters Patent of the company specifically charged Shakespeare and eight others "freely to use and exercise the art
and faculty of playing Comedies, Tragedies, Histories, Inerludes, Morals, Pastorals, stage plays ... as well for recreation of our loving
subjects as for our solace and pleasure."
Shakespeare entertained the king and the people for another ten years until June 19, 1613, when a canon fired from the roof of the
theatre for a gala performance of Henry VIII set fire to the thatch roof and burned the theatre to the ground. The audience ignored the
smoke from the roof at first, being to absorbed in the play, until the flames caught the walls and the fabric of the curtains. Amazingly
there were no casualties, and the next spring the company had the theatre "new builded in a far fairer manner than before." Although
Shakespeare invested in the rebuilding, he retired from the stage to the Great House of New Place in Statford that he had purchased
in 1597, and some considerable land holdings ,where he continued to write until his death in 1616 on the day of his 52nd birthday.
In his time William wrote 13 Comedies, 13 Historical Plays, 6 Tragedies, 4 Tragicomedies, as well as many sonnets (154) , which were
mostly dedicated to his patron, Henry Wriothsley, The Earl of Southampton.
Comedies
“Comedies of Errors” 1952 , “The Taming of the Shrew” 1592-94, “Love’s Lador’s Lost” 1594-95,
“Two Gentleman of Verona” 1594-95 “A midsummer Night;s Dream” 1595-96 The Merchant of Venice” 1596-97
“Much Ado About Nothing” 1598-99 “As You Like It” 1599-1600 “Twelfth Night” 1599-1600 e.t.c.
Historical
"Henry VI" parts I, II, III 1590-92 , “Richard III” 1590-92 , “King John” 1594-96, “Richard II” 1597-? e.t.c.
Tragedies Titus Andronicus 1593-94, Romeo and Juliet 1594-95, Hamlet 1600-01, Othello 1604-05 e.t.c
Tragicomedies “Timon of Athens” 1607 -? , “Cymveline” 1609-10 ,. “The Winder’s Tale” 1610-11 , “Tempest” 1611-12
.
1556 - Anne Hathaway is born.
1564 - William Shakespeare is born in April (probably the 23rd) in Stratford-On-
Avon (94 miles from London.)
1582 - Marries Anne Hathaway on November 27.
1583 - Susanna Shakespeare is born.
1585 - The twins Judith and Hamnet Shakespeare are born.
1592 - After leaving Stratford for London, William was recognized as a successful
actor, as well as a leading poet. He was a member of 'The Chamberlain's Men'.
1596 - Hamnet dies at the age of eleven. Shakespeare becomes a "gentleman"
when the College of Heralds grants his father a coat of arms.
1597- He bought a large house called "The Great House of New Place".
1599 - The 'Globe Theater' is built from the pieces of 'The Theater' in July.
1603 - 'The Lord Chamberlain's Men' became 'The King's Men' on May 19.
1613 - The 'Globe Theatre' burns during a performance of Henry VII when a canon
fired on the roof sets fire to the straw thatch. The theatre is rebuilt, but
Shakespeare retires.
1616 - April 23, in Stratford, on his 52nd birthday he died.

15. Romeo and Juliet Synopsis
The play, set in Verona begins with a street brawl between Montague and Capulet
supporters who are sworn enemies. The Prince of Verona intervenes and declares that
further breach of the peace will be punishable by death. Later, Count Paris talks to
Capulet about marrying his daughter, but Capulet is wary of the request because Juliet is
only thirteen. Capulet asks Paris to wait another two years and invites him to attend a
planned Capulet ball. Lady Capulet and Juliet's nurse try to persuade Juliet to accept
Paris's courtship.
Meanwhile, Benvolio talks with his cousin Romeo, Montague's son, about Romeo's
recent depression. Benvolio discovers that it stems from unrequited infatuation for a girl
named Rosaline, one of Capulet's nieces. Persuaded by Benvolio and Mercutio, Romeo
attends the ball at the Capulet house in hopes of meeting Rosaline. However, Romeo
instead meets and falls in love with Juliet. After the ball, in what is now called the
"balcony scene", Romeo sneaks into the Capulet orchard and overhears Juliet at her
window vowing her love to him in spite of her family's hatred of the Montagues. Romeo
makes himself known to her and they agree to be married. With the help of Friar Laurence ,
who hopes to reconcile the two families through their children's union, they are secretly
married the next day.
Juliet's cousin Tybalt, incensed that Romeo had sneaked into the Capulet ball, challenges him
L’ultimo bacio dato a Giulietta da t o a duel. Romeo, now considering Tybalt his kinsman, refuses to fight. Mercutio is offended
Romeo by Francesco Havez. by Tybalt's insolence, as well as Romeo's
Oil on canvas, 1823. "vile submission," and accepts the duel on Romeo's behalf. Mercutio is fatally wounded when
Romeo attempts to break up the fight. Grief-stricken and wracked with guilt, Romeo confronts
and slays Tybalt. Montague argues that Romeo has justly executed Tybalt for the murder of
Mercutio. The Prince, now having lost a kinsman in the warring families' feud, exiles Romeo from Verona and declares that if Romeo
returns, "that hour is his last." Romeo secretly spends the night in Juliet's chamber, where they consummate their marriage. Capulet,
misinterpreting Juliet's grief, agrees to marry her to Count Paris and threatens to disown her when she refuses to become Paris's
"joyful bride." When she then pleads for the marriage to be delayed, her mother rejects her.
Juliet visits Friar Laurence for help, and he offers her a drug that will put her into a death-like coma for "two and forty hours." The Friar
promises to send a messenger to inform Romeo of the plan, so that he can rejoin her when she awakens. On the night before the
wedding, she takes the drug and, when discovered apparently dead, she is laid in the family crypt.
The messenger, however, does not reach Romeo and, instead, Romeo learns of Juliet's apparent death from his servant Balthasar.
Heartbroken, Romeo buys poison from an apothecary and goes to the Capulet crypt. He encounters Paris who has come to mourn
Juliet privately. Believing Romeo to be a vandal, Paris confronts him and, in the ensuing battle, Romeo kills Paris. Still believing Juliet
to be dead, he drinks the poison. Juliet then awakens and, finding Romeo dead, stabs herself with his dagger. The feuding families
and the Prince meet at the tomb to find all three dead. Friar Laurence recounts the story of the two "star-cross'd lovers". The families
are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to end their violent feud. The play ends with the Prince's elegy for the lovers: "For
never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.