Rewriting the Prologue Rewriting the Prologue William Shakespeare is England’s national poet and one of the world’s greatest playwrights. Often called the “Bard of Avon,” his works include 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Even today, his works continue to be studied and interpreted.   Leonardo DiCaprio, a renowned actor, famously portrayed Romeo in the film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. However, being written over 400 years ago, Shakespeare's language, while beautiful and timeless, can be challenging for those unfamiliar with Early Modern English. My daughters are huge fans of Taylor Swift, and they listen to her song "Love Story" almost daily. They often ask me about Romeo and Juliet and their tragic love story. So, I’ve attempted to retell Shakespeare’s classic tale in more modern English, adding illustrations to make it even more accessible. I hope this will help more people enjoy this timeless love story. Of course, if you prefer the original, it’s always available. We’ve included the original text for your reference. Thank you for reading.