Brief Reviews: Romeo and Juliet; The Taming of the Shrew

So help me, I tried to understand this old English (for lack of a better word) but like poetry I get lost!  If I wasn't familiar with the stories and the added bonus of the cheat sheets (summary in modern English for each scene) included with the CDs I'd be hopeless.  The audio dramatization also helped with understanding what's going on.  Anyway, as part of  broadening my horizon I'm giving Shakespeare another go.  Thanks Book Quoter for the inspiration.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, AF play, audio CD, 183min, rating=3.5

The noble Veronese houses of Montague and Capulet are locked in a bitter feud.  When Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, fall in love they are swept up in a series of violent events and cruel twist of fortune.  Despite the passion and innocence of their love, they fall victim to the enmity between their families, and their story ends in tragedy. (cover)

Romantic, feudal, and tragic.  Exemplifies an effect of hostility.  ~By the way, I didn't realize that Romeo and Juliet actually got married ... now I know!

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, AF play, audio CD, 137min, rating=4

Padua has many suitors for the hand of fair Bianca, but Bianca may not be married until her spinster sister Kate is wed. Is any man up to the challenge? The witty adventurer Petruchio undertakes the task. His tough-love transformation of the shrewish Kate from fishwife into loving wife is the heart of this classic comedic romp, which contains some of Shakespeare's wittiest verbal battles.  (Goodreads)

I actually didn't know anything about this play, but one can guess what it's about from the title. 

This was a treat.  A play within a play and a hoot at that!!  Goes to show that people can change.