One of Shakespeare’s classics plays is `Romeo and Juliet`. He is said to have written the play in 1597 approx. Shakespeare tells the tale of two star crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whose short romance is plagued with tragedy. The play focus’ on popular themes such as romance, tragedy, death and violence. Shakespeare was inspired by a poem by Arthur Brook called, ‘The tragical Histoire of Romeus and Juliet.’ The poem never got much acknowledgment or recognition but Shakespeare used it as the basis for writing a play about, who are now, the world’s most famous lovers. Romeo and Juliet’s meeting is told in the form of sonnets, which were very popular in Elizabeth I court and would appeal to Queen Elizabeth. It is said that Shakespeare wrote his plays with Queen Elizabeth’s tastes in mind.
The prologue of the play reveals a lot about the plays theme and how fate plays an important part in the play. We are told that Romeo and Juliet are ‘star – crossed lovers’ (destined for bad luck) and ‘death marked’. we know that their relationship will be plagued with death. The prologue actually reveals the plot and could be seen as ruining the play. However