
In the bustling streets of Verona, two noble houses have been locked in a bitter feud for generations, and the city’s daily life is colored by the tension between the Montagues and the Capulets. The play opens with a chorus that sets the stage, warning listeners of a love that will be tested by ancient grudges and the violence that erupts in the public squares. From the witty banter of the Capulet servants to the swaggering bravado of the Montague allies, the opening scenes crackle with humor, swagger, and the ever‑present threat of bloodshed.
When the young Romeo, brooding over an unrequited love, is drawn into the street brawl, his friend Benvolio tries to keep the peace while the fiery Tybalt escalates the conflict. Amid the chaos, a masked feast at the Capulet house offers a surprising turn: Romeo slips in, and a chance encounter with a mysterious young woman begins to stir something far more tender than the surrounding hatred. The tension between duty and desire promises a compelling journey for anyone who listens.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (140K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
the PG Shakespeare Team, a team of about twenty Project Gutenberg volunteers
Release date
1998-11-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1564–1616
Often called the greatest writer in the English language, this English playwright and poet created dramas and verses that still feel alive on the page and stage. His stories of ambition, love, jealousy, power, and loss continue to speak to readers centuries later.
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