When William Shakespeare wrote 'Romeo and Juliet' (thought to be 1595-7) the story was already well-known as a tale of young, forbidden love. (Source: The Oxford Companion to English Literature, Ed. Margaret Drabble.) In writing his play as a 'romantic tragedy', Shakespeare presented a true love doomed by family feuds, rivalry, jealousy, revenge, secrecy and fate. The familiar idea of Romeo as a romantic lover, thwarted by feuds and family loyalty, would have been appreciated …showed first 75 words of 3560 total…

…showed last 75 words of 3560 total…tragedy. The fact of two deaths in the scene prepares the audience for more deaths. This scene changes the play and there is a darker altered mood by the conclusion. It is not just the consequences of the actions of hot-blooded young men but also the impact of their family feuds, codes of honour and also Fate. By the end of the scene, this combination clearly threatens the lives and happiness of Romeo and Juliet.