The story of “Romeo and Juliet” is set in the city of Verona, Italy. Two feuding families, Montague and Capulet, are in constant conflict with each other. Even the servants of both families are always at each other’s throats. Despite the family conflicts, it was love at first sight for Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet when they first met at a ball. Their love is so intense and passionate that they immediately decide to get married. Knowing that their families would never give their blessings on their marriage, they decide to flee to some place far away so that they could start a new life without anybody interfering. However, things get out of hand and Romeo and Juliet end up dying in each other’s arms.

“Romeo and Juliet” is originally a play written by Shakespeare sometime between 1594 and 1596. Shakespeare based the play on a poem written by Arthur Brooke in 1562, called “The Tragic History of Romeo and Juliet”. There are many adaptations of the famous love story including plays, films, and even ballets. In 1968, a film adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” was released and the love theme “A Time for Us” from the film became very popular and topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in 1969 and remained number one for two weeks. In 1996, another box-office hit American film, “Romeo + Juliet”, directed by Baz Luhrmann was released, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight and express their love to each other on Juliet’s balcony. When it is time to part, Juliet said “Good Night, Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow”.

Out of all the plays by Shakespeare, I am touched by this famous “Romeo and Juliet balcony scene” most. The scene has simply become a representation of romance for many years to come and affected the idea of romance of later generations. I am sure Juliet’s balcony has remained in many girls’ minds all through adolescence, imagining that their loved ones would carry a guitar and sing to them love songs from below the balcony. Even in Hong Kong’s very popular comic book “Old Master Q” 《老夫子》, there are many episodes of Old Master Q singing love songs to his girlfriend below the balcony, carrying a guitar.

The quote seems to contradict itself at first, but lovers will fully experience and understand these contradictory feelings. Juliet is sorrowful when parting with Romeo, but sorrow is sweet as it makes them think about their next meeting. Falling in love with someone is a very unique experience. Love can indeed transcend the ordinary emotions into extraordinary sensations.