“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs;
Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers’ eyes;
Being vexed, a sea nourished with loving tears.”
- Romeo & Juliet, Act I.i.
I’ve read a fair amount of Shakespeare, but this is my first time having read Romeo & Juliet. I think my interest in this play was less than some of the others, because I was trying to avoid the sap and annoyingly dramatic declarations of love. That’s just… not my thing. Now my girl Jane Austen really knows how to write love declarations without making you want to gag. Shakespeare is the epitome of a hyperbole!
I enjoyed Romeo and Juliet, but it’s not my favorite play of Shakespeare’s; that honor is held by Macbeth. This is a story of two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who have a long standing family feud (cue Family Feud theme music. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Youtube it and thank me later…). So of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Shakespeare tragedy if Romeo and Juliet didn’t belong to both of these families and end up falling in love.
Aw, how sweet, except… remember this is a tragedy and Shakespeare is known for being brutal to his characters. Tensions rise and boil over. There is So. Much. Death in this play! I knew there were a couple of deaths because this story line is so prominent in modern culture, but I didn’t realize there was THAT much death. Whew, Bill, calm down just a bit, will ya? However, I will say that Shakespeare has a way of sprinkling in the subtle wit and humor throughout his tragedies that help to give the reader a break from some of the intensity.
I like to keep my Shakespeare reviews on the shorter side; for some reason I don’t like to elaborate beyond the basic plot. Perhaps I’m wary of giving something away? Again, I liked this play and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it, but the ending was so over the top that I was just rolling my eyes towards the end. If you’re interested in reading Romeo and Juliet, I say, go for it! It’s always nice to read the original source material when it comes to a story that’s been adapted beyond reason.
Rating 3.5/5
Have you read Romeo and Juliet? What’s your favorite Shakespeare tragedy?
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Romeo and Juliet by, William Shakespeare: ISBN 9780143128571
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Also in this picture:
- Jo Malone Red Roses Cologne because roses and Romeo and Juliet go together. “What’s the name?/ That which we call a rose?”
- Drinking: Harney & Sons Tower of London Tea. Earl Grey with fruit and honey notes.
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