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Romeo and Juliet Translation Prologue

Also check out our detailed summary & analysis of this scene

Check out our summary & analysis of this scene

Original

Translation

Enter CHORUS

The CHORUS enters.

CHORUS

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, Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. The fearful passage of their death-marked love And the continuance of their parents' rage— Which but their children's end, naught could remove— Is now the two-hours' traffic of our stage; The which if you with patient ears attend, What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

Exits

CHORUS

In beautiful Verona, where our play takes place, there are two families, both equally noble. From their old grudge there is an outbreak of new fighting, in which they stain their refined hands with fellow citizens' blood. A pair of ill-fated lovers from the deadly bloodlines of these two feuding households commit suicide. Their sad and tragic deaths put an end to their parents' fighting. Now, for the two hours in which we are onstage, we will present the story of their love and death, which was the only thing that could stop their families' rage. If we've left anything out of this prologue, just listen with patient ears—we will work to make everything understood.

The CHORUS exits.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet Shakescleare Translation

Romeo and Juliet Translation Prologue

Romeo and Juliet

Shakescleare Translation