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Informationen zum Autor William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was a poet, playwright, and actor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in the history of the English language. Often referred to as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare's vast body of work includes comedic, tragic, and historical plays; poems; and 154 sonnets. His dramatic works have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Klappentext The Signet Classics edition of William Shakespeare's timeless story of star-crossed lovers. One of the Bard's most popular plays, this is both the quintessential story of young love and a cautionary tale of the tragedy that can occur when the forces of passion and familial pride are at odds. This title in the Signet Classics Shakespeare series includes: • An overview of Shakespeare's life, world, and theater • A special introduction to the play by the editor, J.A. Bryant, Jr. • The source from which Shakespeare derived Romeo and Juliet, Arthur Brooke's The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet • Dramatic criticism from Samuel Johnson, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Michael Goldman, and others • A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions of Romeo and Juliet • Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable format • Recommended readings Act One SCENE ONE Verona. A Public Place. Enter Sampson and Gregory, armed with swords and bucklers sampson. Gregory, o’ my word, we ’ll not carry coals. gregory. No, for then we should be colliers. sampson. I mean, an we be in choler, we ’ll draw. gregory. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o’ the collar. sampson. I strike quickly, being moved. gregory. But thou art not quickly moved to strike. sampson. A dog of the house of Montague moves me. gregory. To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand; therefore, if thou art moved, thou runnest away. sampson. A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s. gregory. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall. sampson. ’Tis true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall. gregory. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. sampson. ’Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids; I will cut off their heads. gregory. The heads of the maids? sampson. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maiden-heads; take it in what sense thou wilt. gregory. They must take it in sense that feel it. sampson. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand; and ’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. gregory. ’Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool; here comes two of the house of the Montagues. Enter Abraham and Balthasar sampson. My naked weapon is out; quarrel, I will back thee. gregory. How! turn thy back and run? sampson. Fear me not. gregory. No, marry; I fear thee! sampson. Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin. gregory. I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list. sampson. Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? sampson. I do bite my thumb, sir. abraham. Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? sampson. (Aside to Gregory) Is the law of our side if I say ay? gregory. (Aside to Sampson) No. sampson. No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir. gregory. Do you quarrel, sir?
