Romeo and Juliet

by William Shakespeare

Dr. Barbara A. Mowat (Editor) and Paul Werstine (Editor)

In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.

In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers’ final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.

The authoritative edition of Romeo and Juliet from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes:

-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Newly revised explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
-An up-to-date annotated guide to further reading

Essay by Gail Kern Paster

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

• ISBN10: 0743477111
• ISBN13: 9780743477116
• Publish Date: 1 January 2004 (first published 1 January 1920)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Simon & Schuster
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[Shreela]

College

[Quirky Cat]

I received a copy of Manga Classics: Romeo and Juliet from NetGalley and Udon Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.

So on the off chance you haven’t heard me say this, and thus aren’t totally sick of me repeating myself, I’m going to say it again: I absolutely love the concept of Manga Classics. I love them for many reasons. It’s always fun to reread a classic, but even more so it’s very refreshing to read them in a new medium, such as this. Manga Classics condenses the larger classics into something less intimidating, which makes it great for both rereads and first time reading. I also believe that Manga Classics make the classics more approachable, which is something I greatly appreciate.
I’ve read Romeo and Juliet a time or two, not to mention I’ve seen the play itself and a couple of movie adaptations (which you’re welcome to pretend don’t exist if you’d like, I won’t judge you there) so it was really interesting for me to see the play in this form. The artwork was lovely, and I have to say I’m really impressed that they were able to make such a large cast of characters all look unique (though of course all main characters got an extra level of attention that makes them stand out). Not once did I find myself struggling to tell two characters apart. I’m really awful with names, but I’m decent with faces, so this was actually pretty fun for me. I feel like I got more out of this read because of it; I picked up on more details occurring in the backgrounds of scenes that I’ve likely overlooked in the past, simply because I had forgotten who so and so was or something like that.
Like any adaptation there’s a little bit of alterations that must be made, such as condensing some scenes, in the case of manga opting to let some scenes be shown instead of told. I don’t feel like we lost anything in the translation here, and I am very happy for it. I’ve read manga adaptations by Crystal S. Chan before, and she has never once let me down. I loved Julien Choy’s artwork, as you’ve already seen me gush about a little bit up above. I’m curious to see what will be adapted next. Part of me hopes they’ll do the twin to Romeo and Juliet and give us an adaptation of Midsummer’s Night Dream. That would be fantastic! But regardless, I’ll happily take whatever I am given.


For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Nany]

Beautiful writing wasted is an awful "love" story. If that's love, then I don't to fall in love ever.

[boghunden]

Absolutely love this play!! I still don't know what it means to me though, I haven't really decided yet... Maybe one day I will, maybe not. No matter what, I'll keep reading it, because it's so beautiful, funky and tragic.

Yes, this may not have the insidious appeal of Twilight or Justin Beiber for that matter, but young people of this new millennium have to understand this was written during a time when teenage marriages weren't only quite common and legal, but expected and encouraged even. Juliet's own mother was 14 when she had her! That and the gaping plot holes aside, this is a wonderful and, albeit, tragic story of first love. True most teenagers only think they're in love due to their rapidly changing bodies, but sometimes you do happen to find "the one" right off the bat. So don't discount The Bard just yet.

[celinenyx]

Listened to this as a free audio book on LibriVox.

Don't have much to say about this that hasn't been said over a million times before. It's a sad story. Very tragic. Not really romantic. Makes the world look like a dark place that hates everyone. Oh woeful me, me miserable wrench!
Exit

[Eve1972]

Read this is school! I really enjoy Shakespeare....