Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

• Publisher: Buck Press
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9781473370487
• Topic: Literatura
• Subtopic: Arte dramático shakespeariano

Classic Books Library presents this new beautiful edition of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet". Featuring a specially commissioned new biography of William Shakespeare, it is a must for Shakespeare enthusiasts and newcomers alike. "Romeo and Juliet" is set in the town of Verona, amidst the two feuding houses to which they each belong: Montague and Capulet. Two "star-crossed lovers" meet by chance, and, transcending the rift between their families, fall in love. Beauty and innocence collide with hate and violence. The families unite in sorrow. The play is highly renowned for its poetic use of dramatic structures, and marks Shakespeare's talent for interspersing comedy and tragedy. First printed in 1597, it was one of the most popular plays during Shakespeare's lifetime, and remains one of his best-known today. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and is celebrated as the world's most famous dramatist.

ACT I.

SCENE I. A Public Place.

[Enter Sampson and Gregory armed
with swords and bucklers.]

SAMPSON.
Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals.

GREGORY.
No, for then we should be colliers.

SAMPSON.
I mean, an we be in choler we'll draw.

GREGORY.
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar.

SAMPSON.
I strike quickly, being moved.

GREGORY.
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.

SAMPSON.
A dog of the house of Montague moves me.

GREGORY.
To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away.

SAMPSON.
A dog of that house shall move me to stand:
I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's.

GREGORY.
That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.

SAMPSON.
True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall.

GREGORY.
The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.

SAMPSON.
'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men I will be cruel with the maids,
I will cut off their heads.

GREGORY.
The heads of the maids?

Sampson. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt.

GREGORY.
They must take it in sense that feel it.

SAMPSON.
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.

GREGORY.
'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst,
thou hadst been poor-John.—Draw thy tool;
Here comes two of the house of Montagues.

SAMPSON.
My naked weapon is out: quarrel! I will back thee.

GREGORY.
How! turn thy back and run?

SAMPSON.
Fear me not.

GREGORY.
No, marry; I fear thee!

SAMPSON.
Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.

GREGORY.
I will frown as I pass by; and let them take it as they list.

SAMPSON.
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is disgrace to them if they bear it.

[Enter Abraham and Balthasar.]

ABRAHAM.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON.
I do bite my thumb, sir.

ABRAHAM.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

SAMPSON.
Is the law of our side if I say ay?

GREGORY.
No.

SAMPSON.
No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.

GREGORY.
Do you quarrel, sir?

ABRAHAM.
Quarrel, sir! no, sir.

SAMPSON.
But if you do, sir, am for you: I serve as good a man as you.

ABRAHAM.
No better.

SAMPSON.
Well,...