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Romeo and Juliet- An Altered Ending

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Shakespeare's quill gave Romeo and Juliet a tragic ending but that's a sad love story I think needs a bit of mending. Yes, he's the Bard, but quite frankly it broke my heart to learn they both died needlessly. I hated that part. In my rewritten dialogue between them, I'd find a way to change their ill-fated future and have Juliet say, "Romeo, it's only for you that my heart will ere yearn. I will simply fake my death and when our families learn that we've left Verona, we will be married... man and wife and be together as we have planned, happy with life." The messenger she sent to give Romeo the good news, I'd replace with a more diligent one that I would choose. I'd have made the couple more intelligent and shrewd, perhaps put an end to the Montague and Capulet feud. The tale of star-crossed lovers would end on a happy note, without Juliet seeming to have died. No need for an antidote. When Juliet says, "Romeo. Romeo. Wherefore art thou?" He would come to her on the balcony, and he would vow... "Juliet, I swear, never did my heart love until now. For I never saw true beauty til this night, and if perchance our families had forbidden us to wed, from Verona we would've left. From Italy we would've fled. With apologies to Shakespeare, my edit I would offer, not a penny nor one Euro would I take for my coffer. Indulge me for just a moment for I'm a romantic at heart, and dared alter the ending by not keeping the couple apart.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2023




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Date: 11/27/2023 4:46:00 AM
The paper tissue makers would not like this ending....short on tears and snuffles. A creative take on a classic....well done Lin. Clever.
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/27/2023 9:18:00 AM
A take required by a contest in the realms of another poetry site. Thanks very much for your comments, Paul.
Date: 11/26/2023 8:45:00 PM
Very nice poem! Have a very nice day lovely Lin Lane ~ AA
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/27/2023 9:17:00 AM
Hi ~AA and thank you very much for your kind thoughts.
Date: 11/26/2023 3:15:00 PM
you're so clever, Lin. To upend Shakespeare's classic tragedy on a happy note...that takes courage and grit...and I like what you did. Well done and creative, hugs, Sara
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/27/2023 9:16:00 AM
This was written for a contest on another poetry site in which we had to change the ending of a book, play, etc. Shame on me for altering one word Shakespeare penned. LOL Thanks a lot, Sara.
Date: 11/26/2023 9:52:00 AM
It is nice to rewrite some old poems with tragic ending, Even had they left Italy, their love would always be true.
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/27/2023 9:15:00 AM
I would like to think so. Thank you very much, Jay.
Date: 11/26/2023 9:47:00 AM
I cried inside at your poem. Re-written and gorgeously romantic tbh. But not all endings are happy though. All the same, your work is loved
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/26/2023 9:53:00 AM
Thank you for your kind thoughts, Uji. You're right in that not all things have happy endings.
Date: 11/26/2023 8:48:00 AM
Love the new ending for Romeo and Juliette, wonderful poetry Lin… Belle
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Lin Lane
Date: 11/26/2023 8:51:00 AM
Hi Belle and thank you!

Book: Shattered Sighs