Romeo Montague’s Last Words Before He Died.
Never before discovered interview in which the journalist managed to pull Romeo out of his death scene to ask him a few questions about the events that led him to that point of suicide.
Interviewer: slightly shocked to see such a depressing man. Why were the Montagues and the Capulets in rivalry at all?
Romeo: annoyed and ever dramatic. I know not the reason why. ‘Twas that way since I was born. I suppose all rivalries have always existed like the sky or grass has. It’s a part of creation, put simply.
Interviewer: I see. clears throat and shakes off jitters. What inspired your philosophy of love?
Romeo: puts down the vile in his lap, looking intrigued. Well, how does any man think of anything? I just pondered and pondered it until love made sense. I have been told that I would need to get married since I was young, so I have been pondering it all my life.
Interviewer: Interesting. How old are you?
Romeo: a little too easily. 21 years old. I can see by your face that you are shocked. ‘Tis only customary for a young gentleman such as I, to marry a beautiful maiden of thirteen like Juliet, alas, if she did not die! falls backward to mimic a fainting motion.
Interviewer: Sir, please sit up. And don’t take that vile until after we’re done here! Why did you have such a passion for Juliet even though you only met her so recently?
Romeo: I suppose ‘twas the fact that she is a Capulet and I a Montague; a forbidden love drives passion even more than an, pause, unforbidden love. I can only think about how unexciting our love would be if Juliet was a Montague or some other name that my family would tolerate. For ‘twas written in the stars! looks up wistfully was it not? a single tear goes down his face.
Interviewer: Hmm. yawns. Would you have a vile of poison in your hand if you fell in love with another girl?
Romeo: Were it not for my Juliet, I would have no other reason to die! puts the vile close to his chest.
Interviewer: After all the ways Benvolio taunted you, why avenge his death?
Romeo: He was more than just a friend, he was like my brother, though I never had one. I could not blame him for his taunts; he knew not what love does to a man! He was much braver than I. And then ‘twas all for naught as he died slowly for my sake. Revenge is the only way I could have exercised all the rage Tybalt caused me.
Interviewer: What would you say to Tybalt if he were alive right now?
Romeo: I would say, takes a breath as his face becomes red, “Thou art so goatish not even the devil would have thou in hell! So thou hast come to battle me again only to die twice and be rejected twice, thou puny, hell-hated, frothy, saucy, fat kidneyed, codpiece!” If thou excuse my coarse jesting.
Interviewer: tries to hold in laugh. Where is your father in all of this?
Romeo: I try not to think about him. He died before I was born. ‘Tis strange, ‘tis almost like he never existed. He did love my mother, though.
Interviewer: What do you think will happen when you take the poison?
Romeo: Methinks I should die, assuming that man sold me poison. If not, I shall stab myself and lie beside sweet Juliet forever. sneezes. Pardon. I care not if my family mourns me.
Interviewer: Why haven't you worked at repairing the relationship of the Montagues and the Capulets instead of defying their will?
Romeo: The Capulets have no room for reason in their heads, well, all except for Juliet. Perhaps, if Juliet did not die, then we would have ended the blood feud between our families. Alas, this tragedy that is our lives must end without any hope of reconciliation. Now I must leave you and be forevermore, with my Juliet.
Then the interviewer let him go and the rest of the play, played out.
Works Cited
Emporia State University Theater, director. ESU Theatre presents William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 2019. https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=romeo+&+juliet+play&mid=21A3B173210D4D8EE77D21A3B173210D4D8EE77D&FORM=VIRE&adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=595B5AB37E214D138361F9446EFC1CFF, https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=romeo+&+juliet+play&mid=21A3B173210D4D8EE77D21A3B173210D4D8EE77D&FORM=VIRE&adlt=strict&toWww=1&redig=595B5AB37E214D138361F9446EFC1CFF.
H., Juila. “Guide to Olde English.” https://proofreadingpal.com/proofreading-pulse/writing-fiction/guide-to-olde-english/, https://proofreadingpal.com/proofreading-pulse/writing-fiction/guide-to-olde-english/. Accessed 27 1 2025.
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Edited by Arcturus Publishing Limited, Arcturus Publishing Limited, 2022.
“Shakespeare Insults: 55 Shakespearean Insults & Put Downs.” No Sweat Shakespeare, https://nosweatshakespeare.com/resources/shakespeare-insults/. Accessed 27 January 2025.