When you hear the words "Romeo and Juliet", what comes to mind? For most people, the mention of these names conjures up images of young people declaring their love from balconies and tempting fate to be together. Romeo and Juliet is certainly a story of youthful romance. However, the novice reader will often miss the underlying ideas that the writer only hints at throughout this play. Failing to realize the subtle political and social themes within the plot means failing to fully understand the author's intentions. Shakespeare uses complex characterizations and pervasive symbols to describe life during the Victorian era. Romeo and Juliet, written in 1597 by William Shakespeare, tells the story of two young people, Romeo and Juliet, who fall in love despite social restrictions in the 16th century. Verona (New York University Libraries). An unknown feud has caused discord between the Capulets and the Montagues, two important families, and a public brawl begins between servants and family members, which is only interrupted when the Prince of Verona threatens with death anyone who disturbs the peace of the city. Shakespeare then introduces us to the two title characters. Romeo Montague is lovesick because the woman he loves, Rosaline, has sworn never to marry. Romeo's friends convince him to go to a party that night to watch the other girls. Juliet Capulet's parents want her to marry Count Paris, even though she is only thirteen. That evening, at the party, Romeo and Juliet meet and immediately fall in love. After the party, Romeo leaves his friends to look for Juliet. He finds her balcony, the two exchange words of love and express their desire to get married as soon as possible. Romeo goes to his mentor, Friar Lawrence, ... in the center of the sheet ... a large doubling of the characters in Romeo and Juliet." San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1998. "The Nurse." William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet . January 11, 2014.Paster, Gail Kern. “Romeo and Juliet: A Modern Perspective.” Romeo and Juliet. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992. Porter, Joseph A. “Mercutio's Speech and Space.” Romeo and Juliet. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2005. Spurgeon, Caroline F.E. “Shakespeare's Iterative Images ". Aspects of Shakespeare. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933.Wu, Titus. “The poison in Romeo and Juliet”. Literature, mathematics and science etc.: the place of philosophy. 10 January 2014. .Gill, Jeff. "Romeo and Juliet: analysis of the characters." 10 January 2014. .