Few plays written touch us as Romeo and Juliet does. It has touched our very souls, and has even worked itself into everyday conversation. No one can necessarily point out the reason for this, but everyone will agree that it is one of the defining “tragedies” of all time. On the contrary, Romeo and Juliet is not a true tragedy, according to Aristotle’s Poetics. “Shakespeare is placed against the tapestry of age/times/society”1. …showed first 75 words of 1309 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1309 total…settings, Verona and Mantua. The play also ends with us feeling pity over the two young lovers, so there is no catharsis. Besides, Romeo and Juliet is not ultimately about the teenagers. It is based on the feud between the families and shows us the extent of damage that could happen when people don’t ‘forgive and forget’. In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet is not a tragedy. It is a romantic-comedy, with a tragic misunderstanding.