William Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet - 1264 Words

Considered by critics, scholars, and the theater-going public the most important dramatist in English literature, Shakespeare occupies a well-known position in the world of talented authors. His canon contains thirty-seven plays, written in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Additionally, throughout the years, they continue to sustain critical attention, with the majority of his works circling tragedies, one being Romeo and Juliet. William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet speaks to the timeless appeal of star-crossed lovers. Their love in the beginning borders upon a reality of maturity and immaturity, eventually becoming something of authenticity. Themes running throughout the play address the issues and consequences of†¦show more content†¦He included stylistic elements from Roman classicism, medieval morality plays, French popular farce, and modern Italian drama (â€Å"William Shakespeare†). Although his use of these sources was not imitative or copy righted, he experimented with traditional forms in an original way, creating Italian Renaissance literature. Shakespeare was best known for well-written tragedies, one popular play, often overlooked is Romeo and Juliet. His tragedies, similar to his comedies, were divided into separate yet related categories, the Roman tragedies, and the great tragedies (William Shakespeare). The roman tragedies were three Shakespeare productions condensed into six hours which included Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus whereas the great tragedies were some of Shakespeare’s more popular works, a few being Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Romeo and Juliet is one of William Shakespeare’s most studied plays throughout high school literature. It has been reworked and adapted to the preferences and times of audiences throughout history. Shakespeare himself even adapted his play from a folktale that originated earlier (â€Å"Romeo† Students). However, despite the changes in the storyline over the centuries, it still embodies the original theme and message. Shakespeare just sharpened some of the details for dramatic effect, such as shortening the period and reducing Juliet s age, which emphasizes her naà ¯ve innocence (â€Å"Romeo† – Criticism).