Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career, about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays. Today, the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers.

Romeo and Juliet was probably first performed between 1591 and 1595. Shakespeare based the plot on the medieval Italian legend of Montecchi e Cappelletti, but added in a number of new characters, and gave additional development to existing ones, to create his own distinctively unique work.

Contrary to a certain source, the play's working title was not Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter.

Romeo and Juliet in Ruled Britannia
Romeo and Juliet was performed frequently by Lord Westmorland's Men in 1597 and 1598. Author William Shakespeare played Mercutio opposite Richard Burbage's Tybalt in the dueling scene. At one point, Shakespeare noticed that two gentlemen, seated beside the stage, were smoking their pipes so furiously that the tobacco fumes spoiled the view for the groundlings behind them. The groundlings threw nuts and pebbles at the smokers, and one of these hit Juliet, who was just about to wonder where Romeo was. Mercifully, this scuffle did not touch off a riot.

Performances of the play suffered in 1598, when Tom, who had played Juliet, was forced to leave England due to his unlawful lifestyle. His replacement Caleb was a much weaker actor.