Customer Reviews:
 Well, it's Shakespeare, what can I say? June 12, 1999
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
This play is great. Not at all overrated. Beautiful, passionate, affecting, etc.
 Sex sells; so does violence May 31, 1999
6 out of 69 found this review helpful
We human beings haven't changed much since we discovered the written word. There's a reason they call it "the oldest profession"; sex sells, and we all know it. And there's just something too fascinating about blood that keeps us from turning away; why else would we slow down to stare at the car wreck?Watch Hollywood today, and tell me that sex and violence don't sell. And don't tell me that "Romeo and Juliet" is about romance; young teens rarely understand what romantic love is and all too frequently mistake lust for love. Shakespeare needed dough, and "Romeo and Juliet" provided it for him. Some of his other pieces are also primarily fluff, but they were fluff in a more cerebral fashion. "Romeo and Juliet" simply panders to the lowest common denominator. It's in this vein that Shakespeare wrote this spurious piece. There's nothing here that tells us anything about the human condition other than what we already know and acknowledge as some of our worst traits: that we can be impulsive, gullible, stubborn, hateful, and murderous. As far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about "Romeo and Juliet" is that it spawned the plot for "West Side Story," which, although laden with cheese, does highlight some of the more noble facets of the human character (along the less noble) and features some wonderful music. "Romeo and Juliet" will, however, simply annoy anyone with half a brain. =P
Young love, and the hatred of 2 families!! January 19, 1997
5 out of 9 found this review helpful
I have always loved the story of Romeo and Juliet. This book brings hope and sorrow, laughter and tears. It is a must to read and I highly recommend it to all.
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