Romeo & Juliet in a Classical Style

Story Description

“A telling of Romeo and Juliet that explores how passion doesn’t always mean good and discerning between the pull of feelings and rationale. This version has a classic style that’s familiar when we think of Romeo and Juliet. It follows the original story in its original time period, but retells it with modern day experience so that it is familiar and heartbreakingly relatable to young girls today.”

The Story

Romeo was in agony. The love of his life, Rosaline, was pushing him away and he couldn’t understand it. He was set on marrying her, yet she avoided him. While conversing with Benvolio, a Capulet servant approached them and asked for help reading an invitation list to a Capulet party. Romeo quickly scanned the list for Rosaline’s name and decided he would go to see her. Benvolio advised against it as Rosaline clearly did not wish to see him, but Romeo insisted that he needed to see her again. 

The Meeting (don’t include these titles, these are just to know where to connect)

Romeo arrived at the party and scanned the room for Rosaline. They caught each other’s eyes amongst the crowd and her’s widened in panic. A girl standing next to Rosaline grabbed her wrist and they hurried around a corner. Hurt and angered, Romeo quickly went to follow. 

While passing through the crowd of people, he was stopped in his path by the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Instantly, he forgot about Rosaline. 

Romeo was outgoing and had no problem striking up conversation with the girl. She was charmed by him and flattered by how much attention he was paying her. 

Knowing he wouldn’t be able to say his name aloud in this company, he discretely took her hand and led her to another room. 

They playfully snuck around all evening trying not to be caught. When they’d have a moment alone in a room, he’d caress her cheek and speak fondly to her until a shadow appeared under the door and off they’d run again. She felt such a rush and energized being around him. As any young girl would, she mistook the feeling for love. 

That night, Juliet was smitten. She talked all about her evening to her nurse as she was too giddy to sleep. However, Juliet’s nurse knew of Romeo. She knew he was Montegue’s boy and she warned Juliet not to get involved. Juliet’s heart sank. The support of her family was incredibly important to her and she knew she’d never get it with a Montegue boy. After her nurse left for the night, Juliet laid awake. 

The Confession

Suddenly, Juliet heard Romeo call from her balcony. She felt deceived by him and he could see it on her face. Before she had time to raise the issue, he stole a kiss. She had never been kissed before and froze. Her hand raised to touch her lips, but he pulled it back down and held it in his own. Romeo poured his heart out to Juliet in poetic gestures. He told her he had never felt this way about a girl before and he knew she was the one he wanted to marry and he didn’t want to wait to be with her. 

Juliet stuttered, still stunned by her first kiss. The idea of marriage excited her, although she was not yet of marrying age. She had never felt this way towards someone before, and the idea of marrying for love made her stomach flutter, but she had only met him that night and she knew her family had good reason to dislike the Montagues. 

He explained to her that marrying could bring their families together. They could meet tomorrow and be married in secret, their parents couldn’t protest if it had already been done and then their love could spread love. 

Juliet didn’t want to go behind her parent’s back, but agreed it would be nice to end their families’ feud.

Romeo and Juliet

Designed By
  • Rebekah Shook
Produced
Spring 2023
ART 254: Design Studio 1: Interaction
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