Question

bonus section
please translate this shakespearean text from shakespearean language to what it would sound like if we used today’s english instead. write it to the right of the text. in other words, what does the text mean if you made it easier to understand for someone else who struggles to understand shakespeare.
two households, both alike in dignity,
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 - crossd lovers take their life;
whose misadventured piteous overthrows
do with their death bury their parents strife.
the fearful passage of their death - markd love,
and the continuance of their parents rage,
which, but their childrens end, nought 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.

Explanation:

This is the prologue of Romeo and Juliet. It sets the scene in Verona, describes two noble - families with an ancient feud that leads to violence. It tells of the star - crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whose deaths end the parents' strife. The play that follows will tell their tragic story.

Answer:

Two families, both of high status,
In beautiful Verona, where our story takes place,
An old feud leads to new fighting,
Where the bloodshed makes everyone involved guilty.
From these two enemy families,
A pair of ill - fated lovers take their own lives;
Their unfortunate and pitiful deaths
End their parents' quarrel with their passing.
The tragic story of their doomed love,
And the continued anger of their parents,
Which nothing could stop except their children's deaths,
Is what you'll see in the two - hour play on our stage;
If you listen carefully,
We'll try to make up for any parts you might miss.