Question

the prologue from romeo and juliet
by william shakespeare
directions: as you read through the prologue from romeo and juliet, highlight important words and phrases and annotate them, making notes in the margins about their meaning.
two households, both alike in dignity,
two families same social status
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 childrens 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.
translate it!
directions: after reading and annotating the prologue, translate it into modern english by rewriting it in your own words.

Explanation:

Translate the text from Shakespearean English to modern English. Focus on key words like "dignity" (social status), "mutiny" (rebellion), "star - crossed" (ill - fated). Use modern equivalents for archaic words and phrases.

Answer:

Two families, both of high social status,
In beautiful Verona, where our story takes place,
From an old grudge comes new rebellion,
Where the blood of citizens makes their hands unclean.
From the fateful union of these two enemies
A pair of ill - fated lovers end their lives,
Whose unfortunate and pitiable downfalls
With their deaths bury their parents' strife.
The fearful course of their doomed love,
And the continuation of their parents' anger,
Which, except for their children's end, nothing could remove,
Is now the two - hour play on our stage.
Which if you listen patiently,
What is lacking here, our effort will strive to fix.