Romeo & Juliet (ATOM Study Guide)

He is impetuous and emotional, ruled by his heart. She is a thoughtful ingénue, new to romance. They are madly in love. Their families – bitter enemies – would disapprove if they knew.

His name is Romeo and hers is Juliet. Their passion must stay shrouded in secrecy and they must sneak and scheme to find a way to be together against the odds of their families' ancient grudge and fate itself.

Sometime between 1591 and 1595, William Shakespeare wrote what would become one of his most celebrated and beloved plays: Romeo and Juliet. This tragic tale of 'a pair of star-cross'd lovers' has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences ever since.

For me, Romeo and Juliet is an exploration of what it is to be in love for the first time. It is a timeless story and it has never been equaled in any language. Producer Ileen Maisel and I wanted to give the modern audience a traditional, romantic version of the story, complete with medieval costumes, balconies and duels, but we also wanted to make it immediate and accessible and new. – Julian Fellowes, Producer.

Curriculum Links

Romeo & Juliet can be studied as part of English as either a film-as-text or as a supplement when reading the play. It is most suited to middle-school English (Years 9–10).