Romeo and Juliet: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-by-Side Plain English

by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare everyone can understand—now in this new EXPANDED edition of ROMEO AND JULIET!
 
Why fear Shakespeare? By placing the words of the original play next to line-by-line translations in plain English, this popular guide makes Shakespeare accessible to everyone. And now it features expanded literature guide sections that help students study smarter.
 
The expanded sections include :  

Five Key Five frequently asked questions about major moments and characters in the play.
 
What Does the Ending Mean?: Is the ending sad, celebratory, ironic . . . or ambivalent?
 
Plot What is the play about? How is the story told, and what are the main themes? Why do the characters behave as they do?
 
Study Questions that guide students as they study for a test or write a paper.
 
Quotes by Quotes organized by Shakespeare’s main themes, such as love, death, tyranny, honor, and fate.
 
Quotes by Quotes organized by the play’s main characters, along with interpretations of their meaning.
 

Genres: Classics, Romance, School

320 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2020

About the author

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Reviews

[✨The Chesapeake Ripper✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

school made me do it lol

the fact that the entire story takes place over the course of like 4 days and they fall so in love that they kill themselves over it in that span of time is literally the dumbest thing I've ever heard of.

LIKE

who tf is like 'omg he's so hot im gonna marry him idc that he's like the enemy of my family and my parents will kinda kill me if they find out'

JULIET. Juliet is like that.

SHE'S ALSO 13

LIKE UM

SIR

THATS PEDOPHILIA

that is all

[Abigail]

I don’t know, I read this for school… but Romeo and Juliet are interesting….

[Sarah]

just me reading Romeo and Juliet because I wanted to.. it's Shakespeare so it's always pretty good.

[Kai Powell]

Romeo and Juliet was a very well built story. I feel that I would give it a 6/10 just due to it not being my favorite genre as well. Some other reasons that I chose Romeo and Juliet to be a 6/10 or around a 3 star book can be how it bored me a little, wasn't my favorite genre, and it went and ended very quickly and abruptly. I feel that the main reason I didn't like Romeo And Juliet is because I am a reader who enjoys non-fiction action filled books. One good example of a amazing books I enjoy to go and read can be with the Percy Jackson series. I loved that series due to the active thrill and anxiety it always gave me 24/7 and the awesome story behind it. This was something that Romeo and Juliet showed a little to me but not enough to be on my top lists. I believe that Romeo and Juliet was just prolonging one problem and not getting anywhere with said problem. That kind of bored me and made me believe that the book was not very good and had a lot of work to go to be at the top of reader's lists. The story of Romeo and Juliet should have gone through more problem solving and new and should of had more interesting events to occur to give the readers thrill. That is why I believe that romeo and Juliet was a very boring and prolonging yet short book.

[Zachary Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel that this was a well thought out book. Some aspects could be more intriguing, but most of the book was well thought out and had good authors craft. The characters were decent but could be better. I feel that Mercutio was the most thought out character because he had the best quotes and personality. I feel that the two main characters could have used more work on not being over-emotional or it makes it fake. But other than the two main characters I think that it was well thought out. The plot was one of the best plots I have ever read. The plot was well thought out and I really saw everything that was happening throughout the book. I think that all the main parts were very intriguing and interesting. I enjoyed the part when Mercutio died because of the theme, the quotes, the fight, etc. I like how he reacted and how then they fought. (Tybalt and Romeo) The author's craft was very well done it had good expression and different examples of various things in the drama and history of fantasy things. It also has good imagery and I could really picture the scene in my head. This book is good, and depending on how old you are, this book would probably be best for high schoolers and adults, it just doesn't have enough action for younger people.

[Dakota Durbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been a long time Shakespeare fan, this is one of his few famous plays that I had yet to read. I am a fan of Shakespeare's tragedies far above his comedies and histories, but this play I always moved to the back burner because it felt so played out in pop and mainstream culture that it felt almost cliche to read it still. However, after having read it, I certainly feel a better sense of appreciation for the timeless text, but I still wouldn't put it high on my favorite Shakespeare list. Themes of love, revenge, fate, and misfortune can be explored in many other of his plays, and I believe are handled in a more interesting and entertaining manner.

With that being said though, I did find myself touched at times by Romeo and Juliet's dedication to one another, despite the glaring ridiculousness of their "love at first sight" relationship, and I found their ending reflected truly the rashness, stubbornness, and immaturity of a teenage relationship, yet nonetheless their love was also genuine and passionate, which captures a powerful element of what it means to be a young person in love. I would certainly still recommend fans of literature to check out this text, as it becomes clear as you read why this story has resonated with millions for so many years.

[Kaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romeo and Juliet is a story that was very well written and had an interesting storyline. It was very fascinating to see how the English language evolved and a connection to our history. The language and society was different from ours today, but yet similar in many ways that we can pinpoint how and where things have been altered. I enjoyed that aspect of reading this book.

The theme was present, and a great reminder that stubborn hatred will lead to the destruction of love, and kindle the cruel, ruthless flame of evilness. It is a reminder to let old wounds heal, and be capable to forgive. Romeo and Juliet’s love was purely passionate, and if only their families could see the purity it held, and understand that they are setting a boundary between their children’s happiness, and they caused such violent destruction.

Although this isn’t my keen genre, I ignored this fact and looked mainly for the story, language, tone, and can see it for what it is: an honest, powerful tale no one can dismiss.

I will be rereading this for grade ten in the coming months and I look forward to being able to dissect and express my thoughts thoroughly in upcoming projects.

[Meredith Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shakespeare's unique writing adds character to the story. However this same writing can be difficult to understand and appreciate, this makes the modern text extremely helpful. The modern text has allowed me to recognize many more characteristics of Shakespeare's writing and gain a deeper understanding. Although the writing is so good, I do not like the plot. It is dragged out for what seems like forever and I believe the story could have been told more briefly and still retain all of its signature characteristics. All of this aside, the many double entendres added some humor. They also prove that one can find humor in any situation. However this story can not be classified as a romance, for the characters actions are carried out in lust, not in love. Their attraction to each other was not set with deeper intentions than having children. Also everytime Juliet was talking about Romeo she would be talking about his looks and how he is attractive. Never about his character and deeper subjects.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up reading William Shakespeare's works, but I'd have to say, Romeo and Juliet is one of the most oxymoron books in existence. It's so stupid, but so genius. William Shakespeare wrote this book to show people that love at first sight is stupid. So you can believe his shock when people started interpreting it as one of the greatest love stories ever written. Knowing that he was trying to make the story out of spite makes you understand that he was purposely making the characters idiots. He made them idiot teens who got married on a whim. Which is genius considering that hit the nail right on the head. I wouldn't have liked it if that was his genuine writing, but since he wrote it for the sake of irony, I thought it was another great piece.

[Danielle Botello · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a freshman in high school we don't like to read a bunch, but this book made reading exciting. This book really helped me understand Shakespeare's writing. without the this book i would've been lost the whole time. It was nice to read the original then to look on the other side to see what would've been said today. Romeo and Juliet is a great love story, and it's really interesting. my favorite part of the whole book was when the dinner party. that part pulled me into the book even more. The way it was worded made the book come to life. This booked changed my entire thought about reading upper level books. I encourage you to take the time and read this book. i promise you won't regret it.

[Davee Fisher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally I am not a fan but i think this is one of his best stories. It gives great detail about the conflict of the montagues and capulets and also describes Romeo and Juliet's love for each other. Great for those who enjoy stories about romance and conflict. The overall plot of the story is great with many twists and turns. The story though is not written for modern times but does give a more classical feel for the text. Unfortunately, the ending isn't happily ever after like a lot of stories. The tragic ending does leave a bittersweet feeling after reading. Overall I enjoyed the book I just wasn't a fan of the story as it felt at sometimes as if I wasn't fully understanding the plot.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I was familiar with the story, but I wanted to read the play as a refresher before I went to see the new Romeo + Juliet play on Broadway. Looking back, I don't think we read Romeo and Juliet in school. I distinctly remember Othello and Hamlet, but I'm not 100% certain about R&J. Anyway, it's a great play but the only thing that bothers me is how quickly it all takes place. And how can you be THAT in love with someone when you've spent... 24 hours with them? At best? Still, this is a Shakespeare favorite of mine. The Broadway play was excellent as well.

[Aminah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hated this book so much I think I want to die! Romeo is always complaining and crying and Juliet is doing the same thing but it's even more annoying.
So many characters died it was like Ted Bundy going on a killing rampage or something. Anyway I'm going to try my best to forget it even though I doubt it'll work.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars. This book was an interesting read. This is my second Shakespeare play. I feel that the characters were just too dramatic. (Ik, it's a dramatic/romantic tragedy.) I did love the storyline, and I understand why everyone loves this book. There were some parts where I cringed, others where I laughed, and others where I just felt the characters were just so stupid. I would recommend it only if you like this type of writing and drama.

[Hazal Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Myrna ♡]

Read this for school like a month ago and just remembered to mark it as read 😭

[Harleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself has earned it right as a classic though it isn't my favorite as a book. Definitely better as a play. The translations were very helpful.

[ella :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

where art thou BENVOLIO is the better question because where did my king run off to

[chloeslays · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 but okay girl not a lot of people understand your freak but I do!!

[Andrea Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

read this book for english class! not too bad, but i wouldnt choose to read it on my own time :)

[October · Rating 4 out of 5]

Modern English translations and definitions were helpful. Overall, not my favorite, but I read it for school and it was pretty good.

[Ro:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5