introduction essay for romeo and juliet

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• Romeo and Juliet

Graham Hamilton (Romeo), Edward Gero (Friar Laurence), and Nicole Lowrance (Juliet),  Romeo and Juliet , directed by PJ Paparelli, Folger Theatre, 2005. Photo: Carol Pratt.

Introduction to the play

In  Romeo and Juliet , Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.

In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers’ final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.

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The Folger Shakespeare

Our bestselling editions of Shakespeare's plays and poems

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, and Juliet is the sun.

Good night, good night. Parting is such sweet       sorrow That I shall say “Good night” till it be morrow.

From the audio edition of Romeo and Juliet

Full recording available from  Simon & Schuster Audio  on CD and for download.

Romeo and Juliet in our collection

A selection of Folger collection items related to Romeo and Juliet . Find more in our digital image collection

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Essays and resources from The Folger Shakespeare

Learn more about the play, its language, and its history from the experts behind our edition.

About Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet An introduction to the plot, themes, and characters in the play

Reading Shakespeare’s Language A guide for understanding Shakespeare’s words, sentences, and wordplay

An Introduction to This Text A description of the publishing history of the play and our editors’ approach to this edition

Textual Notes A record of the variants in the early printings of this text

A Modern Perspective An essay by Gail Kern Paster

Further Reading Suggestions from our experts on where to learn more

Shakespeare and his world

Learn more about Shakespeare, his theater, and his plays from the experts behind our editions.

Shakespeare’s Life An essay about Shakespeare and the time in which he lived

Shakespeare’s Theater An essay about what theaters were like during Shakespeare’s career

The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays An essay about how Shakespeare’s plays were published

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Teaching Romeo and Juliet

Use the Folger Method to teach Romeo and Juliet . Become a Teacher Member to get exclusive access to lesson plans and professional development.

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• The Merchant of Venice

Early printed texts

Romeo and Juliet was first printed in 1597 (Q1) as a quarto that is markedly different than any subsequent early printing: it is shorter, the wedding scene is radically different, and the language widely differs in the last three acts. The play appeared as a quarto in 1599 (Q2) in a text that seems to have had a different source than the one behind Q1; this version of the play was reprinted in 1609 (Q3) and in 1623 (Q4). The play is included in the 1623 First Folio, with a text that differs from Q3 beyond what we would expect typesetters to change. Most modern editions, like the Folger, are based on Q2.

See more primary sources related to  Romeo and Juliet on Shakespeare Documented

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