"Two households, both alike in dignity. In Fair Verona

where we lay our scene.

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life."

The timeless Shakespearean story of a pair of star crossed lovers who ended in tragic demise because of a petty feud their families held. I'm sure everyone is familiar with this beautiful but tragic story so this page is basically a tribute to the 1996 movie version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

It must be said that for today's youth, this is a landmark movie, with a traditional story touching a whole new generation in a very cool, romantic and unbelievably new way which made the movie an instant success. It may be understood though that this movie is not for everyone, especially believers in the 'traditional' portrayal of Shakespeare. Although the setting was set in modern times (and some see that as a fault), this movie must not be denied its rightful place amongst the very top romances of the 90s - well, of eternity in general!

"Did my heart love 'till now? For swear at sight, I never saw true beauty 'till this night."

"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name, or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I shall no longer be a Capulet. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy, thou art thyself though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. Oh, what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet; so Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection to which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name! And for thy name, which is no part of thee, take all myself."

Romeo: "O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" Juliet: "What satisfaction canst thou have tonight?"

Romeo: "The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine."

Juliet: "I gave thee mine before thou didst request it!"

"I am fortune's fool!"

"Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do!"

"A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me."

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."

"My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me that I must love a loathed enemy."

"Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace!"

"Well Juliet, I will lie with thee tonight."

"A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head.

Go hence and have more talk of these sad things.

Some shall be pardoned, and some punished.

For never was a story of more woe

than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

~The Complete Works of Shakespeare~

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