Romeo and Juliet: AI-Shakespeare Presents, #1

By William Shakespeare and Jim McAvoy

Introducing AI-Shakespeare, a revolutionary way to read and teach Shakespeare's plays.

This edition offers a Modern Language version of Romeo and Juliet, enriched with character descriptions, scene summaries, vocabulary aids, and more, simplifying the reading experience. Dive into a unique cross-disciplinary approach, melding the study of Shakespeare with basics of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

Experience the Original Language version of the play, complete with line numbers for easy referencing. Vocabulary sections and interactive quizzes are designed to enhance understanding and engagement. Every line has been meticulously reviewed, analyzed, and edited to ensure the Modern Language version remains true to Shakespeare's intent. Utilizing AI and text analysis tools, we've adapted the language to a middle to early high school reading level, making it accessible while removing classroom-inappropriate content.

This book explains the utilization of AI in creating AI-assisted content, debunking the misconception of AI "writing" books. Walk through the process, tools, and the indispensable human element in AI-assisted writing.

Uncover the timeless love and tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, now accessible to all readers! What sets this edition apart?

- Modern Language Version: Rediscover the narrative with AI-assisted rewriting and expert editing.
- Original Language Version: Engage with the classic Folger Shakespeare Library version.
- Vocabulary Boosters: Get vocabulary tips before each original scene.
- Interactive Quizzes: Test your understanding with interactive quizzes.
- AI-Generated Visuals: Enhance your reading with realistic AI-generated visuals from DALLE-2.
- AI Explained: Delve into the AI writing experience, understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI.

This comprehensive edition doubles as a study guide and an entertaining read, making Shakespeare's complex drama digestible for young minds. Every line in the Modern Language version has been analyzed for readability, ensuring a valuable educational resource.

Young Readers: Venture into a classic tale that has captivated readers for over 450 years.
Parents: Offer your child enriching and safe literary content.
Educators: Simplify the introduction of Shakespearean drama for young minds.
Administrators: Present a non-objectionable version of Shakespeare's work with relevant themes.
Home School Parents: This book is a full, self-contained, age-appropriate version that teaches as your children read. Progressive learning from Modern to Original text, aided with interactive quizzes, makes this a valuable educational resource.

Don't miss out! Make this remarkable tale of love and tragedy a part of your life today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jim McAvoy
• Release date: Oct 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798989171408

Book preview

Romeo and Juliet

AI-Shakespeare Presents Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Edited by Jim McAvoy

IMG Publishing

Copyright © 2023 Issues Management Group, LLC

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781234567890

ISBN-10: 1477123456

Cover design by: DALLE

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

Printed in the United States of America

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To Joanne, with all the love of heaven and earth.

And what love can do, that dares love attempt.

ROMEO AND JULIET, ACT 2, SCENE 2, LINE 76

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

EDITOR'S PREFACE

SETTING

MAIN CHARACTERS

MODERN LANGUAGE

ACT ONE PROLOGUE

ACT ONE SCENE ONE

ACT ONE SCENE TWO

ACT ONE SCENE THREE

ACT ONE SCENE FOUR

ACT ONE SCENE FIVE

ACT TWO SCENE ONE

ACT TWO SCENE TWO

ACT TWO SCENE THREE

ACT TWO SCENE FOUR

ACT TWO SCENE FIVE

ACT TWO SCENE SIX

ACT THREE SCENE ONE

ACT THREE SCENE TWO

ACT THREE SCENE THREE

ACT THREE SCENE FOUR

ACT THREE SCENE FIVE

ACT FOUR SCENE ONE

ACT FOUR SCENE TWO

ACT FOUR SCENE THREE

ACT FOUR SCENE FOUR

ACT FOUR SCENE FIVE

ACT FIVE SCENE ONE

ACT FIVE SCENE TWO

ACT FIVE SCENE THREE

ORIGINAL TEXT

ACT 1 PROLOGUE

ACT 1 SCENE 1

ACT 1 SCENE 2

ACT 1 SCENE 3

ACT 1 SCENE 4

ACT 1 SCENE 5

ACT 2 CHORUS

ACT 2 SCENE 1

ACT 2 SCENE 2

ACT 2 SCENE 3

ACT 2 SCENE 4

ACT 2 SCENE 5

ACT 2 SCENE 6

ACT 3 SCENE 1

ACT 3 SCENE 2

ACT 3 SCENE 3

ACT 3 SCENE 4

ACT 3 SCENE 5

ACT 4 SCENE 1

ACT 4 SCENE 2

ACT 4 SCENE 3

ACT 4 SCENE 4

ACT 4 SCENE 5

ACT 5 SCENE 1

ACT 5 SCENE 2

ACT 5 SCENE 3

AFTERNOTE

REMOVED, CHANGED, OR REMAINING

THERE IS HELP

Acknowledgement

About The Author

About The Author

EDITOR'S PREFACE

Like all worthwhile endeavors, the origin story of this book is complex.

The what of it is simple. I was experimenting. My aim was to see if I could use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create a clear, concise Romeo and Juliet that faithfully followed the original’s tone, pace, and plot development while also preserving Shakespeare’s creative use of the English language.

The why is more complicated. Reflecting on the process, there were four reasons why my casual desire to experiment with AI became a book.

AI is too misunderstood

Many think it’s simple. Take a classic play or book. Tell AI to rework it for a modern audience. Done.

Don’t be fooled.

Like Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, nothing is as simple or straightforward as it first appears. Regardless of what you've read, you can’t upload a book to an AI and get back a rewritten text.[1]

Actually, you could, and someone might, but AI's response would never be useful or popular—especially when it comes to Shakespeare. Someday perhaps, but not today.

The old English, rhythms, double meanings, and word play of Shakespeare are an enormous challenge for AI, just as they are for many readers.

The experiment grew, formulas were written, readability assessed, prompts engineered, formats revised, and content reviewed…and reviewed…and reviewed again.

Somehow the challenge of the experiment became a passion.

All pictures, including the cover, were generated with DALL·E 2, developed by OpenAI. The text in the Modern Language section was created with the assistance of Open AI's Chat-GPT v3.5 and 4.0.

I am not a tech whiz or an AI expert, just your average user. The journey was not a straight path.

If you want to learn more about how this book was created, please read the Afternote: "How Artificial Intelligence Assisted in Creating this Book".

For now, let's focus on why.

Shakespeare is important

It has been suggested we should walk away from literature like Shakespeare’s. Some find passages age-inappropriate; others believe new authors’ works are more relevant.

Those arguments miss the point.

Stories link past and present. Around campfires, in schools, on social media; wherever they're told, stories form our common consensus. They define our knowledge, beliefs, and values. They unite us.

Just a few months ago, in Kilgore Texas, the Texas Shakespeare Festival welcomed visitors from Chongqing, China. About the same time, Ukrainian actors performed Romeo and Juliet in a bunker in Kiev, which will host The International Shakespeare Festival in 2024. While in Tokyo, the annual Shakespeare Festival entertained several thousand.

Our global society needs more of the unity that shared narratives like Shakespeare provide.

For 400 years, many authors have written skillfully on sorrow, love, tragedy, history, humor, and humanity. Few have approached Shakespeare’s ability to capture human emotions and to make us think.

Decoding: an essential skill

That thinking part of learning Shakespeare is essential. Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Teachers, Architects, and all professions, have their own vocabulary and syntax to master.

Lawyers aren’t born reading briefs; future Doctors are not reading medical journals in middle school.

Doctors must learn to decipher dense medical textbooks, articles, and papers. Engineers must apply specific words and equations like tools. Educators pack and unpack theories with shorthand terms and concepts. Architects not only etch blueprints, they master complex symbols and principals and how to apply them.

Those skills can only be learned through practice. All professionals need to master decoding: tackling text in an unfamiliar, complex vocabulary and syntax, and deciphering the true meaning.

Shakespeare introduces students to that skill. It is a complex, unfamiliar text similar but different than the English we speak today, and reading his work introduces students to decoding skills. Through practice, students break down and understand concepts presented in a new lexicon. This critical thinking is an essential ability in any professional career.

Shakespeare challenges students to turn mystery into mastery, to convert something confusing into something they comprehend. With practice, uncommon language becomes common sense after fluency is built decoding word by word, line by line.

That is an essential skill, but perhaps even more essential is the message in Romeo and Juliet.

Romeo and Juliet is even more important

Today, few stories are as relevant as this tragedy first performed in 1597. Common theater then, entertainment pure and simple. Like a movie or series we stream today, it was meant simply as amusement. Yet something special makes Romeo and Juliet endure.

True to its time, aspects are outdated now, and offend modern norms and sensibilities. Yet Shakespeare’s honest depiction shows readers today how society has progressed.

And how it has not.

Shakespeare tells us about a tragedy of two young people in a violent world of hate. Ethics falter, biases and prejudices flourish.

Miscommunications destroy lives. Traditions become roadblocks. Parents miss signals. Mobs shout. Leaders fail to lead.

Two teens, aged 13 and 16, fall in love. Quickly overwhelmed by their circumstance, they see no hope. They cannot imagine a different future. They are trapped in their own depression and desperation. They see only one terrible solution: a rash, irreversible act. Youth suicide rates have climbed since 2020.[2] By making this classic tragedy accessible, readable, and engaging—and hopefully entertaining—this book aims to reach those who need it most.

Parent Engagement

If there is one author parents know and appreciate, it’s Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is an excellent opportunity to increase parent engagement and to acknowledge parents’ important role in their child’s education.

It may have been some time ago, but almost all parents encountered Shakespeare in the classroom. In fact, he's the only author specifically named in the U.S. Common Core State Standards for English Arts & Literacy, a testament to his enduring relevance.

Parents may need a refresher, which this edition provides with the Modern Language version, Quizzes, and Vocabulary assistance. Properly prepared, parents can help reinforce classroom instruction and see the real-time value of their engagement.

The skills and life lessons Romeo and Juliet teaches are crucial.

Adding parents’ knowledge to the experience of learning about Shakespeare for the first time reinforces the essential themes in the text. Their engagement also recognizes the parents’ role as co-educators who can contribute important viewpoints and insights shaped by their own academic and life journeys.

Romeo and Juliet is a golden opportunity for teachers and parents to unite and become a dynamic force in a child's present and future academic success.

Appropriate and Accessible too

This edition of Romeo and Juliet keeps all the essentials of Shakespeare's tale but updates the words in the Modern Language section.

Gone from both the Modern Language and Original Text sections are the parts that don't sit right today. Controversial passages were carefully revised to focus on understanding, compassion, and the risks of blind hate, rash behavior, depression, and lack of empathy.

Age-inappropriate content (such as sexually suggestive word play) and socially inappropriate content (such as sexual assault) have been revised or omitted.

To learn more about what was removed or edited, please read the Content Removed, Changed, or Remaining section at the end of the book.

✽✽✽

Overall, the goal was simple. Entertain the reader with the story. Make it crisp. Make it concise.

Make it age appropriate, but stay true to the original. Translate it for today’s students: middle schoolers, high schoolers, college students, and other readers too.

So, was the goal met?

You, the reader, get to decide that.

Let me know in the Amazon reviews.

SETTING

Verona, Italy. July 1590.

AI Created Verona in 1590, we see a bridge over a river leading into a old Italian city. Created with DALLLE

The Italian city of Verona was the crossroads of the world in 1590.

Fortified by ancient walls and watched over by tall church spires, Verona was the world’s center of wealth. Merchants came here from Europe and Asia, filling the city’s markets and narrow streets with silks, spices, and gossip.

In 1590, two of the city’s most prominent families, the Montagues and Capulets, were what everyone was talking about.

The families had restarted an old feud. They were scheming and worrying, each reliving again and again past grievances and slights. Their feud soon became so intense, fights broke out in the streets between the families and their supporters.

In a place where everyone knew everyone's business, and had strong opinions about who was right and who was wrong, gossip about the families was everywhere.

Still, most of Verona’s citizens continued to sell their food in market stalls, children ran about, and travelers drank at inns, ignoring the fact that Verona was on the edge of a cliff.

Prince Escalus, who ruled the city, declared that public brawling would not be allowed, but he did not challenge the two powerful, wealthy families.

MAIN CHARACTERS

The Montague Family

AI Created picture of Romeo, a young man with curly hair, very handsome. Created with DALLLE

ROMEO: The Montagues’ only son, he is 16 years-old. He is serious, impulsive, and prone to acting on his feelings without much thought about the results. He begins the story sad because he is in love with Rosaline, who is not in love with him. Then he meets Juliet.

AI created portrait of Lord Montauge, silver haired distiguiched looking man. Created with DALLLE

LORD MONTAGUE: (Romeo's Father) He cares about Romeo and worries about him. A proud but responsible and reasonable man, he wants Romeo to follow in his footsteps. He is a wealthy, inflexible man but is open to reason.

AI created portrait of Romeo's mother, Lady Montague. Created with DALLLE

LADY MONTAGUE: (Romeo's Mother) She is a kind and loving mother. Her concern for Romeo and the ongoing feud shows the strong bonds in their family. She is so worried about Romeo that she is asking his friends questions and anxious about what she hears.

BENVOLIO: (Romeo's Cousin) He is a peacemaker who tries to stop fights and keep everyone safe.

BALTHASAR: (Servant to Romeo) A loyal friend and helper to Romeo who refers to him as his man.

ABRAM: (Servant to Lord and Lady Montague) He is a young man who works for the Montagues and is loyal to the family.

The Capulet Family

AI created studio photo of Juliet, with startling blue eyes and a subtle smile. Created with DALLLE

JULIET: The only daughter of the Capulet family, she is 13 years-old. She is intense, smart, strong, and a quick thinker, but she is also impulsive and can be moody. She is close to her Nurse (a maid in current language) but not to her mother. She falls deeply in love with Romeo.

AI create image of Lord Capulet, a stren looking man with grey hair. Created with DALLLE

LORD CAPULET: (Juliet's Father) Lord Capulet believes he makes all the important decisions for his family and his household, especially for Juliet and Lady Capulet. He is a traditional father for 1590, strict and fast to anger when his decisions are questioned.

LADY CAPULET: (Juliet's Mother) She is formal, distant, a rule follower, and always deeply loyal to her family. Her relationship with Juliet is complex, sometimes cold, and deeply rooted in the norms of society. She is dramatic and her quick temper adds to the family conflicts.

AI created image of Tybalt, Juliet's cousin. A young man with a simile, but a stern face. Created with DALLLE

TYBALT: (Juliet's Cousin) A young, angry man with a temper and great ambition. He picks fights and doesn't think before acting. He cares a lot about his family's reputation, wants to challenge Lord Montague, and doesn't care about keeping the peace.

Ai created image of Nurse, an older woman with a soft smile and warm eyes. Created by DALLE

NURSE: (Juliet's Nurse, or maid) She is like a mother to Juliet, cares deeply for her and is very supportive. She also talks a lot and complains often. Juliet shares her secrets with her and the Nurse’s advice shapes Juliet's decisions.

SAMPSON: (Servant to the Capulets) His role in the opening fight sets the tone for the feud, he is a peace keeper.

GREGORY: (Servant to the Capulets) He adds to the tension between the families, he is strong-willed and proud.

PETER: (Servant to Juliet's Nurse) The Nurse's helper, he provides comic relief and adds to the household dynamics.

POTPAN: (Servant to the Capulets) He is a hard worker, in the bustling activity of the Capulet’s home.

Other Characters

Ai generated image of Count Paris, a handsome man with a broad smile. Created by DALLE

COUNT PARIS: (A relative of Prince Escalus) A young man, a traditional noble. Paris is formal, reserved, and distant. He represents the traditional expectations placed on young nobles in Verona at the time about marriage. Paris' feelings for Juliet are genuine.

AI photograph of Friar Laurence, an older man dresses as a monk or priest. Created by DALLE

FRIAR LAURENCE: (A Franciscan Friar) He is a wise priest, a man of faith and wisdom. He secretly marries Romeo and Juliet, hoping it will bring the feuding familes together. He means well, but his decisions lead to serious problems.

AI created photo of Prince Escalus with the city of Verona behind him. Created by DALLE

PRINCE ESCALUS: (The Prince of Verona) The ruler of the city, he wants to stop the violence in the city and tries to keep the peace between the feuding families. At the same time, he tries not to offend the families that keep him in power.

MERCUTIO: (Friend of Romeo, relative of Prince Escalus) He is Romeo's friend, smart but also hot tempered and impulsive.

FRIAR JOHN: (A Franciscan Friar) Another priest, a friend of Friar Laurence. His misfortune leads to a huge misunderstanding.

MODERN LANGUAGE

The version of Romeo and Juliet that follows was written with AI assistance.

In the Modern Language version of the play, you will begin to see Shakespeare’s original text as you read.

Don’t worry, we will help you understand the original wording. We will coach you along the way.

ACT ONE PROLOGUE

Modern Language

A group of actors, called the Chorus, comes on stage to deliver an opening message.

CHORUS: Two powerful families, in Verona, Italy, have a longstanding feud that now leads to violence.

This conflict will cause the tragic deaths of two young, star-crossed lovers, whose love story is filled with danger.

Will their deaths finally put an end to their parents' fighting?

We will present their story on stage for the next two hours.

If you listen carefully, we will try to fill in any missing details.

(The Chorus leaves the stage.)

ACT ONE SCENE ONE

Modern Language

Street fights break out between the Montague and Capulet families, and Prince Escalus warns them to keep the peace.

(Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulet family, arrive, armed with swords and shields.)

SAMPSON: Greg, I swear I'm not going to take it anymore. I'm not going to let anyone diss us.

GREGORY: Right, we're not farmers, we're not common people. We're not coal miners or dock workers.

SAMPSON: You know, when I'm angry, I act quick.

GREGORY: But you're slow to start a fight.

SAMPSON: It's just those Montague dogs, they tick me off.

GREGORY: Stand your ground. True bravery means staying firm. If you back down, they will see your fear.

SAMPSON: Those Montague dogs get me fired up. I’ll take on any man or woman from their side.

GREGORY: That just means you’re weak. Weak people get pushed, so they fight.

SAMPSON: Yeah, girls are seen as weak and get pushed around. So, I’ll push Montague’s guys and girls all the same.

GREGORY: No. That's not right. This fight is between our bosses and us, their loyal servants.

SAMPSON: Whatever. I’ll show them I’m tough. Once I beat the guys, I’ll be nice to the girls; I’ll beat them too.

GREGORY: They better get what’s going on. I think you're acting crazy.

SAMPSON: As long as I can stand, people will know I’m tough. That's the point.

GREGORY: Good thing you’re not a fish, you’d be a lame fish, flopping around, making threats. Get set, here comes a Montague.

(Abram enters with a servant.)

SAMPSON: I'm set, got my sword. I've got your back.

GREGORY: How? By running away?

SAMPSON: No way, you're the one I'm scared of!

GREGORY: Keep it legal; let him throw the first punch.

SAMPSON: I'll give him a mean look when I pass by, let 'em think whatever he wants.

GREGORY: Nah, I'll show 'em we mean business by biting my thumb. That's rude, it's something they can't ignore.

(He bites his thumb.)

ABRAM: You're insulting us?

SAMPSON: Yup, I'm throwing it your way.

ABRAM: Don’t insult us by biting your thumb fool.

SAMPSON: (Speaking quietly to Gregory) Are we on the right side of the law yet? He’s disrespecting us, right?

GREGORY: (Speaking quietly to Sampson) No. You're not.

SAMPSON: I’m not disrespecting you, I'm just annoyed.

GREGORY: You want to fight?

ABRAM: Fight, sir? No way.

SAMPSON: OK, but if you start something, I'm ready.

I work for someone just as good as you.

ABRAM: Not better?

(Enter Benvolio.)

GREGORY: (Quietly to Sampson) Quick, say better; here comes one of the boss's relatives.

SAMPSON: Yeah, sure, better.

ABRAM: You’re lying.

SAMPSON: Pull your sword if you're a real man. Gregory, remember your best move.

(Sampson and Abram pull