Romeo and Juliet Themes and Analysis
Unlock the hidden meanings: Dive deeper into the central themes and symbolism, and analysis of Romeo and Juliet.
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William Shakespeare explores the effects of hubris and hamartia and the impulsivity of love on the children of two warring families in his iconic tragedy.
Key Facts about Romeo and Juliet
- Title: Romeo and Juliet
- When written: Around 1595
- Published: 1597 (unauthorized)
- Genre: play / tragedy
- Setting: Verona in Italy set around the 13th-14th century.
- Climax: Romeo being banished and Juliet refusing to marry Paris.
- Antagonist: Debatably, the two warring families, the Capulets, and Montagues.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. His parents were Anne Hathaway and John Shakespeare. He was well-educated and began his writing career as many of the playwrights of the time did by co-writing.
He began by focusing on historical dramas, but as he developed as a writer, he began writing comedies and tragedies, including increasingly complex characters. He broke new ground by breaking stereotypes and challenging his audiences by tackling prejudice and racism.
His main characters often lived with hamartia, which is a fatal flaw that was often their undoing.
As well as being a prolific playwright and producing some of the finest plays of all time he is also known for his sonnets, to the extent where the sonnet form that he commonly used has been named after him.
Whether remembered for his plays or poetry, there is no doubt that Shakespeare was a genius, and that’s part of the reason his legacy lives on to this day.
Books Related to Romeo and Juliet
Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman. The play version has a lot in common with Romeo and Juliet, exploring the ideas of star-crossed lovers but instead of warring families, it instead explores the idea of warring races which makes it more relevant to a modern-day audience.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green. This explores the idea of two lovers whose relationship is fated to end in tragedy. While it does not follow the same story as Romeo and Juliet, the influences are there. Even the title could be considered a nod to the Shakespeare classic.
Legacy of Romeo and Juliet
The legacy of Romeo and Juliet is far and wide. It is near impossible to talk about the legacy of this play without referencing the influence of the man himself. Shakespeare broke conventions of plays that had existed for centuries. He invented language that is still used centuries later and had a mastery of language not seen before or since, effortlessly using verse in his plays as an effect.
The plot itself has influenced many works, from books to movies and plays. The themes of the play have also been used countless times in various mediums. How often do we see the star-crossed lovers trope in cinemas in the contemporary world? The idea of warring families and relationships forming between enemies have also been explored too many times to mention.
Romeo and Juliet is the perfect storm where you have a flawless writer with a timeless story to tell and that’s why it has the legacy that it does.
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