From the Beginning

Dear Friend,

I have recently started the book Rome and Juliet by Shakespeare. It is difficult to read because they use language that is so different from today. The way they live is nothing like the way we do. They exist in a foreign world, one I am just learning about. In their world they battle, and women are looked down on when it comes to power. Love is potent, but in a way I find it to be shallow there.

From the beginning of the book, you get the feeling that they live in a different time period. There is a strong hate between the two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. I find it ironic, knowing that these two families hate each other while also knowing that Romeo and Juliet fall in love. However, while they do not know each other Romeo is in love with Rosaline. I find this odd, since she does not feel the same way, that he still has the "deep" love for her. They don't seem close which makes me imagine that the love in their world is not based on emotion but on looks and appearance.

This book is odd so far, and very different from what I had expected. It is difficult, but I am beginning to understand it better, and although I have certain feeling about the way they live, I am also starting to understand it the more I read.