The Prologue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet basically reveals the final outcome of the play. It tells of the feud and the love between the star-crossed youngsters. It tells the audience that the lovers will end up committing suicide, thus ending the bitter rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets. It also says the play will last about two hours (a dubious claim since it usually takes at least three when nothing is left out).
The...
The Prologue of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet basically reveals the final outcome of the play. It tells of the feud and the love between the star-crossed youngsters. It tells the audience that the lovers will end up committing suicide, thus ending the bitter rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets. It also says the play will last about two hours (a dubious claim since it usually takes at least three when nothing is left out).
The Elizabethan audience of Shakespeare's day would not be put off by the information revealed in the Prologue. No spoiler alert would be needed because the audience would already be well aware of the details of the tragedy. Shakespeare's version was based on the well-known narrative poem of the day, "The Tragicall History of Romeus and Juliet" by 16th century English writer Arthur Brooke. The poem was written about 30 years before Shakespeare's interpretation. Most in the audience would have either read Brooke's poem or know of it.
Audiences did not go to the play to be entertained by a new and interesting plot. They were there to see Shakespeare's adaptation of the story. Unlike today, where plot and special effects help entertain moviegoers, the Bard's audience wanted to hear his language and how he would portray the principal characters. Of course, they were not disappointed by the beautiful figurative language and the biting puns. They also would have loved the unforgettable characterizations of the Nurse and Mercutio, who tend to steal each scene in which they appear.
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