Romeo and Juliet. Tragedy

«Romeo and Juliet» — the main masterpiece of the early period of William Shakespeare's work (1564–1616). Its understanding has changed through the centuries. The audience of the 17th century easily read the sacred images and symbols, placed above all fate, destiny, providence, and was ready to understand the world and themselves through the perception of a conditional theatrical action. In the 19th century, the tragedy became a romantic love story, which was interpreted as both a victory of love over death and a struggle for love against a hostile world, and simply as a symbol of pure love. And in the 21st century, there are even cynical statements; the story of two lovers seems implausible. However, no matter how this tragedy is perceived, readers and audiences at any time, immersing themselves in the unmatched dramatic world of Shakespeare, gain aesthetic pleasure from the beauty and ambiguity of his artistic images, impeccable composition, thoughtfully crafted to the smallest details, and the unique originality of language and style. For middle and high school students.