Romeo and Juliet: A Modern Retelling

Our story is set in the fair city of Varona. A beautiful place, bustling with excitement. A place where tourists and locals alike enjoy the restaurants, the shopping and the beautiful history. Two families in this city stand out among the rest, both of them alike in dignity. Two families with an ancient grudge, two families who have bloodied their own hands. And from these two sworn enemies come two fated lovers, whose death will bury their parent’s strife. But our story actually starts long before this. Our story starts with a young boy on his way home from school.

Romeo Montague sulked along the narrow dirt path that wound along the outskirts of Verona. He could see the luscious green fields, the beautiful hills and the city spread out before his eyes. The Montagues were an affluent family, and they lived in a nice area on the edge of town. The road he took was the long way home from school, but it was quiet, and an ideal walk for when he was in a sullen mood.

Romeo suddenly heard a pair of feet crunching along the road behind him at a running pace. Romeo knew exactly who it was. These roads were seldom used. He turned as his cousin Benvolio jumped on him, wearing a brilliant smile and laughing childishly.

"Romeo! I told Mercutio that you'd be here. Why weren't you at football practice?"

Romeo turned without answering, and looked down at the dirt path beneath his feet. Benvolio slapped him on the back.

"You're not still hung up about Rosaline, are you?"

Romeo kicked a stone.

"I saw her today. She was walking to class with another guy..." Romeo said in a glum tone.

"Honestly dude, forget about her. She's not even that great anyway. All looks, no brains - if you know what I mean," Benvolio twirled is finger next to his head, emphasising how dumb he thought she was.

‘I won’t ever love again!’ Romeo replied.

‘Common!’ Benvolio cuddled Romeo with brotherly affection, ‘we’ll find you someone else. That’s the best cure for a broken heart.

Romeo was stirring his brain for another gloomy reply, but something else suddenly caught his attention. He noticed a large bruise down the side of Benvolio’s arm.

‘What happened Ben?’ Romeo asked.

‘What do you mean?’ Benvolio replied.

‘To your arm. What happened?’

‘Oh this? It’s nothing really. Just a little scruff I got into earlier this afternoon, after football practice.’

Romeo rose an eyebrow.

‘The Capulets?’

‘Well yeah. Sampson and Gregory, those idiots were ready to start a riot. And then Tybolt showed up. You know what he’s like. Abram and I were caught in the middle of it all, and Mercutio was off chatting to some lady. He didn’t even realise what was happening until the police showed up.’

‘The police came?’ Romeo gasped.

Benvolio nodded.

Romeo looked upon the horizon. The sky was a deep red and the sun was slowly descending. The lights of Varona were beginning to flicker on.

‘This whole generational feud with the Capulets is getting out of hand.’

Silence reigned for a moment.

‘Fabout Rosaline, okay, you’ll find another girl.’

'How can I forget about Rosaline. There isn’t a girl in existence who is as pretty as her.'

***

Juliet Capulet dumped her school bag in the corner of her room and lay back on her bed. She pulled a mirror out of her pocket and began adjusting the foundation on her cheeks. Her skin was soft and smooth, and yet, she felt the need to try to make it softer and smoother. She put on a fresh coat of lipstick, just as a knock echoed from the door. Juliet jumped up and quickly packed up her portable make-up kit and threw it into one of her draws.

‘Come in,’ Juliet called.

The door opened, and an older lady with grey hair poked her head through the small opening.

‘Juliet, dear, you’re home. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had the cooks prepare a cheese platter and some snacks for you, before your violin lesson this afternoon of course.’

Juliet’s lips curled up into a half smile.

‘Thanks Flora. That’s thoughtful. I’ll be down soon for food.’

Flora nodded and disappeared.

Juliet took a deep breath, lay back and stared up at the ceiling. After a long day at school – she just needed a moment to be alone; a moment to relax. She turned on the large TV that had been mounted on her wall and began to play some relaxing lo-fi beats from the Youtube app. Then she pulled out her phone and started scrolling through her Instagram stories. They were the same old photos. Some of her friends were posing in front of Big Ben whilst on holidays, there was a photo of a coffee and a cake. There was a selfie of a blonde-haired girl with her arm around a guy (her friend Maria with her new boyfriend Vincenzo). Nothing special. Materialistic, aesthetic pictures. That was, until she opened her cousin Tybalt’s story. He was standing in front of a group of boys, and there was a large crowd around them. It looked like they were in the middle of a fight.

‘Can’t we just have peace?’ one of the boys in front of him yelled.

‘Peace?’ Tybalt replied, ‘I hate the word. Just as I hate all Montagues, hell and you!’

The crowd screamed wildly. Clearly one of his friends was filming.

Tybalt marched towards the two boys, as if he was going to start throwing punches. But then the video cut off. Juliet put her phone in her pocket. Tybalt was always getting into fights with the Montague boys. Not that any of her other family were any better – including her father.

It was half an hour later that Juliet found herself descending the large marble stairs down toward the kitchen. But something made her stop mid-stride. She heard some muffled voices coming from down the hallway. And so, like any sixteen-year-old, she climbed back up the stairs to eavesdrop on the conversation she knew was coming from her parents’ bedroom. The voices grew louder, and she closed in on their room – finally, when she could get no closer, she softly placed her ear up against the door.

‘I can’t believe Juliet. Mingling with the boys from that school,’ said her father.

‘She’s sixteen. She’s going to start mingling some time or another,’ her mother replied.

‘Yes, but can’t she see my reputation is on the line. Why can’t she go out with a boy like…like…like Paris.’

Juliet felt bile rise up at the back of her throat.

‘Indeed, Paris is from a wealthy family, and well educated’ Juliet heard her mother speaking ‘but do you think Juliet will like him?’

"She won't have a choice. She enjoys the wealth of this family, she'll uphold its name too. Either she likes him, or she'll learn to like him."

Like hell I will.

***

"A party?" said Romeo.

"A party," Mercutio repeated, "I just got an invite! And it says I can bring guests."

Mercurio flashed his phone to them, showing them the message with the details.

"Let me see," Romeo snatched the phone from him to get a closer look.

"Sounds fun!” Benvolio replied.

“Hmm, I don’t know,” Romeo said.

“Common Romeo, it will be good for you," Benvolio replied.

"Mercutio, this invite is from Tybalt. It’s a Capulet party?"

"Well..."

Even Benvolio furred his eyebrows in concern when he heard that.

“It could cause trouble.”

“It’s a rave! Nobody will notice two Montagues…and I heard, just on the grapevine, that Rosaline is going.”

“Rosaline?”

Mercutio nodded.

Romeo looked at Benvolio, who, in turn looked at Romeo. Romeo turned to Mercutio and grinned. If Rosaline was going, he was going.

***

Juliet’s phone buzzed in her pocked. She pulled it out and flicked it open. Tybalt had messaged her.

Tybalt: You coming to our party this Saturday?

Juliet: I have better things to do.

Tybalt: It’s going to be fun. Paris will be there.

Juliet: I don’t like Paris.

Tybalt: Just come. Some of the boys from Santa Guiseppi High School will be there.

Juliet stared at the screen in front of her for a moment before replying.

Juliet: I’ll think about it. Just tell Paris he has no chance with me.

Tybalt: deal.

Juliet put her phone to sleep and slipped it back into her pocket. She supposed that she’d have to find something to wear.

***

The music was loud, and the dark room flashed with green, red and blue lights. People moved back and forth through the crowded room carelessly. Mercutio came back from the bar with two drinks, one for Romeo and one for Mercutio.

‘Can you see her?’ Romeo whispered into Mercutio’s hear, trying to speak up over the music. Mercutio shook his head. Romeo scanned the dark dance floor for the fifteenth time. Even if Rosaline was here, there’s no way he’d be able to spot her. He got up onto a chair, elevating himself to get a better view. There was a figure off to the side, dancing with one or two other people. Romeo wondered if that could possibly be her. He watched the darkened, and for a moment, he was convinced it was her. Then, suddenly, one of the many spotlights zoomed past her – and Romeo caught a flash of her face. Though only for a brief second. And that one second was enough to make him completely forget about Rosaline. For Romeo had seen a face so beautiful, so fair, with bright red lips and sea blue eyes, that even now he was surprised she did not shine through the darkness.

“Oh, I haven’t really ever loved, have I. Not until now. Not until this night.’

***

The dance floor was crowded and noise, and so Juliet hardly noticed, at first, when a pair of gentle hands took her shoulder.

‘Hello there,’ a voice whispered in her ear. Juliet turned around. A shadowy figure stood in front of her. About a head taller than her, and seemingly well built. But that was all she could make out. The figure lowered. ‘Do you mind if I dance with you?’

Just then a white disco light flashed through the room. She was able to see the figure’s brown hair, brown eyes and beautiful face. The room returned to darkness as Juliet took the stranger’s hands, subtly giving her approval, and began to dance away. They moved together in a causal way at first, but soon their bodies drew closer; and before either of them knew it, Romeo’s lips were brushing gently over Juliet’s. Both of them held each other closely, and their hearts were beating abnormally fast. Romeo pulled his lips back and leant forward to whisper in Juliet’s ear.

‘I really like you. But do you mind telling me your name?’

Juliet laughed. She couldn’t believe she’d just kissed someone without even knowing their name.

‘It’s…’ but then suddenly the music stopped. The lights turned on and everything lit up.

‘Sorry, party’s over,’ a voice announced over the speaker, ‘but feel free to hit the clubs with us later if you want to kick on.’

Romeo didn’t pay any attention to the announcement. Neither did Juliet. She stared at Romeo Montague, one of her families’ mortal enemies. And Romeo, in turn stared at Juliet Capulet, who was for him essentially of the same nature.

***

Juliet had given Romeo her number before he’d left. They’d been messaging each other ever since.

Juliet: Romeo. Why do you have to be a Montague.

Romeo: I’d deny my name for you! I’d do whatever you wanted.

Juliet: What’s in a name. If you called a rose anything else, surely it would still smell as sweet.

Romeo: Say you love me.

Juliet: If my family ever found out…

Romeo: Say you love me. I love you.

Juliet: If you love me then meet me next Saturday. In Bellaqua Park. At 7pm.

Romeo: I’ll be there.

***

The confession booth opened with a loud clink and Juliet wandered on in. She was still in her school uniform and had come to church straight after school. She wasn't particularly religious, but she did grow up catholic, and her family knew father Lawrence quite well. Furthermore, he was bound to secrecy during confession. She felt safe.

"Ahh Juliet. It's good to see you,"

"It's good to see you too father."

"But it's quite rare that I see you here in confession. I hope it's not for anything too serious."

"It's quite serious father. Serious… but in a way…I don’t think I’ve sinned."

"Confession is for penance, dear Juliet. If you haven't done anything wrong, then you need not be here."

"Well I suppose I have."

"Then tell me what's happened."

"It's that Romeo Montague!"

"I've always feared that this rivalry would continue to breed hatred."

"It's not that at all, father. Romeo Montague... I've fallen in love with him. And he loves me too."

Father Lawrence smiled.

"I see the problem now my dear."

"I can't say our relationship has been completely innocent. We met in the park, and then we spent the night together...and...well... I don't want to go into too much more detail. But maybe I do need forgiveness. From the church at least. "

"Be sure to say the Lord’s prayer at least ten times when you get home.”

"Yes, yes, of course."

"Now onto our other problem. That of you and Romeo".

***

Romeo dodged out of the way of a fist that flew straight past his head.

"I don't want to fight you Tybalt! We don't need to fight!"

"Of course you don't want to fight. You Montague coward!"

“Did you hear what he just called you Romeo! If you don’t fight him, then I will!”

“Bring your best then!”

A crowd had gathered around them at this point. Tybalt only seemed to thrive off it. Tybalt and Mercutio exchanged blows for a while, but when it seemed that Mercutio was getting the upper hand, Tybalt pulled a small knife from his back pocket and thrust it into Mercutio's gut. Blood began dripping around the blade and then Mercutio fell dead on the ground. Tybalt smiled.

"Which one of you Montagues is next?"

"TYBALT!" Romeo screamed in rage. Romeo charged forward, Tybalt thrust the knife forward, but Romeo easily dodged out of the way. Romeo then he tackled Tybalt to the ground and began punching Tybalt over and over again. Romeo punched Tybalt until his fists were bloody. He punched until Tybalt stopped moving. And he continued to punch until there was no life left. And then suddenly Romeo looked up at the crowd around him and reality sunk in. He'd get in trouble for this. Big trouble. He dashed over to grab his school bag and then began to run. He ran as fast and as far as he could.

"My dear Juliet, have you seen the news recently?"

"No I...ah... don't really watch the news."

"Well if you did then you'd know that two young boys were killed today in a street fight."

Juliet gasped. She guessed the killings had something to do with the Montague-Capulet feud. These kinds of fights always were. And her mind jumped to the worst.

"It wasn't Romeo who died," affirmed father Lawrance.

Juliet breathed out a sigh of relief.

"But Romeo did take a life. Indeed he killed your cousin Tybalt."

"WHAT?! No...Romeo…?

"Yes. Romeo. But he had his reasons. It seems Tybalt killed Mercutio, his best friend. You know what Tybalt is like. Something like this was going to happen at some point or another."

Juliet was silent.

"I've known you Capulets since you were born. I know you, and I know Tybalt. I know you don't want any part of this life. I know your dad wants you to start dating young Paris and I know you don't want to. I know you're annoyed with Romeo at the moment, but I know you still love him."

"Father you know more than you let on, and you have insight like no other... But what is the solution to this situation."

"I can think of nothing... but to fake your own death."

***

Romeo had been living in his families' small holiday house in the countryside of Mantua. His life seemed to have been turned upside down. His best friend dead, and his lover's cousin's blood on his hands. The only thing holding him together, the only thing keeping him sane, was his love for Juliet. So, when the news came to him, by swift wings, that she had died, Romeo didn't hesitate to take his own life. He took a cup full of bleach and drank it to the dregs, and then fell to the floor, his body writhing until all the life left his body.

Juliet, upon discovering his location (Romeo had turned Google location sharing on his phone), could not bear the pain and loss that Father Lawrance's plan had borne. She, too, took a small but sharp kitchen knife and impaled herself on the same bed that Romeo lay, her blood soaking both the bodies where they lay.

From here the Montagues and the Capulets made peace. Their pointless feud had lost them a child each, and caused havoc in Varona. Romeo and Juliet were laid together underneath a beautiful gravestone with golden writing. It read: For there was never a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.