William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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Recommended: The portrayal of death in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is also a prime example of those who choose to end their life to escape from their reality. The Capulets and the Montagues haven been in feud for many years when a fight between their servants breaks out in the streets. Prince Escalus arrives to end the brawl and tells both sides that the next person to start a fuss will be sentenced to death.
“If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay for the forfeit of the peace.” (Shakespeare 1.1.91)
After the fuss, Romeo approaches and tells Benvolio, his cousin, that he is in love with Rosaline but she does not share the same love. Benvolio tells Romeo to forget about Rosaline and to focus on other women but Romeo assures him that there is no other beauty out there for him.
In scene two, Capulet and Paris are discussing Paris' desire to marry Juliet, Capulet's daughter. Capulet invites Paris to a masquerade dinner that he is hosting that night to give him a chance to get to know Juliet. Capulet gives his servant, Peter, a list of names to invite to the feast. However, he cannot read and thus gives Romeo and Benvolio invitations when he sees them on the street.
In the Capulet house, Lady Capulet states that Paris has shown interest in Juliet. Juliet promise that she will give Paris a chance but she will not go out of her way for him.
“I'll look to like, if looking like move;but no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.” (Shakespeare 1.2.97)
As the feast begins, Romeo and his friends stand outside in their masks, contemplating how they are to get in because they are Montagues. They make their way in and Juliet catches Romeo's eye. Any thoughts of Rosaline completely clear his m i...

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...4. .
Cardullo, Bert . "Death of a Salesman and Death of a Salesman: The Swollen Legacy of Arthur Miller." Columbia University in the City of New York. The Columbia Journal of American Studies, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. .
Poe, Edgar Allen. Masque of the Red Death. 1910. Print.
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Books, 1986. Print.
Shakespeare, William, and Burton Raffel. Romeo and Juliet. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004. Print.
"The Masque of the Red Death." . Enotes.com, 1 Jan. 2008. Web. 20 Apr. 2014. .

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