Is Romeo and Juliet a Good Book for Modern Readers?

Evaluation of Romeo and Juliet as a book varies among critics and readers. Some praise its eloquent poetic language and dramatic structure, while others highlight the impulsiveness of the characters and the consequences of their actions.

Responses to the Evaluation

A few readers have expressed strong opinions on the matter. One response is:

Of course it is. But if you want to get the experience Shakespeare intended his audiences to have, you should see the plays. The text alone is a great read, but the plays were written to be read by actors who would then interpret the characters and bring them to life. The words alone can convey Shakespearersquo;s mastery of language and his genius for creating characters and crafting a drama, but when those words are put into context in a well-acted performance of the plays with costumes and music,...

However, not everyone agrees. One response suggests:

Depends. The play can be conceived as a ldquo;blackrdquo; comedy - raging hormones, the power of an ovulating female, villainous relatives, and a dim-witted clergyman. As far as the Shakespeare canon, there are probably more useful ways to spend your time.

Another voice recommends a more practical approach:

Worth the read for preparation only if you can find a way to see the play, or at worse, a movie version. Plays must be experienced. Reading a play is like reading porn - it gives you an idea but is not the same as experiencing it.

One reader suggests a more engaging approach:

Read it and find out. Then go to see a performance of the play, amateur probably, and then answer your own question. Hint: the answer is YES! Paul Ross

Analysis of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a well-known play by William Shakespeare, and it is considered essential reading for educated individuals. However, it is not based on an actual event and is not a straightforward story of doomed romance as one might understand it in the modern context. The play was written during the Renaissance and explores the damaging effects of civil strife between the two families, the Montagues and the Capulets.

It is important to note that Shakespeare’s audience would have recognized that the astrological influence mentioned in the play was a significant factor in medieval and Renaissance beliefs, but it was not a compelling force. The play consists of a combination of elements: romantic comedy in the first half and tragedy in the second. The balcony scene, a well-known part of the story, is a parody of conventional love poetry, as seen in Shakespearersquo;s Sonnet 130: My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun.

The protagonists, Romeo and Juliet, are portrayed as very young and very stupid, and their impulsiveness and the consequences of their actions are a crucial part of the play. It is also important to recognize that the real tragedy is not the death of the two protagonists but the fact that they go straight to hell for their suicides, as Shakespearersquo;s audience would have understood. Although Romeo and Juliet is not considered one of Shakespearersquo;s best plays, it is among his early works, alongside plays like Loversquo;s Labourrsquo;s Lost, A Midsummer Nightrsquo;s Dream, and Richard II.

Conclusion

No matter which perspective you adopt, Romeo and Juliet remains a valuable piece of literature. Whether you appreciate it for its poetic language, dramatic structure, or historical context, it is a timeless classic that any educated person should read.

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