Romeo and Juliet: Abridged and Illustrated

By William Shakespeare

Breathed in the buoyant spirit of youthfulness, Romeo and Juliet is a tale of young love drawn into the tragic inevitability of destruction. Shakespeare' s writing inspires young minds to contemplate concepts represented by the comic interplay of wise

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wonder House Books
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9789390093779

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest playwright the world has seen. He produced an astonishing amount of work; 37 plays, 154 sonnets, and 5 poems. He died on 23rd April 1616, aged 52, and was buried in the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford.

Book preview

"

I take thee at thy word.

Call me but love, and I’ll

Be new baptized.

Henceforth I never will be Romeo.

"

― Romeo, A

ct

II, S

cene

2

Late in the evening, on a crowded street of Verona, two servants from Capulet house, Sampson and Gregory, were talking to each other. As Sampson began talking about the Montague house, Gregory started teasing him and soon, they got into an argument. At the same time, two servants of the Montague house were crossing the street. As they walked past Sampson, Sampson bit his thumb as a gesture of disrespect.

One of the Montague servants saw him and stopped. Are you trying to start a fight? he demanded. Gregory replied, Fight, sir? Not at all.

Sampson got furious and said, If you want to fight I'm your man. Both the servants drew their swords and started fighting. Before the fight could turn ugly, Benvolio, Romeo's best friend, interjected.

Benvolio had to draw his own sword to stop them, which angered Tybalt—a kinsman of Capulet house. Tybalt was unaware of what had transpired, yet he took out his own sword in rage.

He cried, Did you take out your sword to fight these worthless creatures? Turn around, Benvolio, and fight me!

Capulet and Lady Capulet spotted them fighting. Capulet was enraged and wanted to kill Benvolio. On the other side of the street, Montague and Lady Montague were crossing the market. They saw Capulet and Benvolio fighting, and intervened.

Montague and Capulet started taunting each other and attracted the attention of the crowd. Escalus, the Prince of Verona, followed them.

Prince Escalus was shocked to see them almost kill each other. Enemies of peace! You men who turn swords against your neighbours! Stop! the angry prince cried. They won't listen to me, he thought to himself.

At last, with no other option left, Escalus commanded, If you don't stop, I'll have you tortured. Everyone heard him and threw their swords down. Prince Escalus was already upset due to the last three riots in town, caused by a long-running feud between the two families. He ordered, If I see you fighting again, you'll all pay with your lives. Now, I want the heads of the families, Montague and Capulet, to meet me in the old free-town where I deliver judgements.

The Prince commanded everyone to disperse. As everyone left, the Montagues questioned Benvolio about the fight. Lady Montague's questions didn't end there. Where is Romeo, Benvolio?

Benvolio replied, Madam, I saw him this morning, walking underneath the Sycamore grove that grows on the west side of the city. I thought he wanted to be left alone for some time. So I didn't disturb him.

Romeo’s father, Montague, added, Yes, I have seen him there several times. Crying tears that add drops to the morning dew. He comes back in the morning