? Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
? Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
? Scene-by-scene plot summaries
? A key to famous lines and phrases
? An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
? An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
? Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books
Essay by Gail Kern Paster
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.
The greatest love story ever told, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is of tragedy set in Verona, Italy. Romeo and Juliet is a classic example of an undying love becoming a victim of family feuds. At a masquerade when Romeo, the son of Montauge, sees Juliet, the daughter of a Capulet, he instantly falls for her. A profoound attraction betweeen them grows into an intense and passionate love and they are convetouly married by Friar Laurence. Chafed between social coventions, reponsibilities, and personal desires, they are led to tragic denounement. A tale of unstinted love and hatred, consuming desire and disgust, revenge anf forgiveness, courtship and marriage, Romeo and Juliet continues to exeplify love.