Verona is a walled city. The painting of Verona, by Bernardo Bellotto 1720-80, shows Castello Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio. The Capulets live on a grand estate, with servants, huge rooms for balls and banquets, and an orchard. Verona's streets are narrow and lead on to squares; outside the city walls there is a sycamore grove where Romeo consoles himself at the start of the play. These details in the play, though small in themselves, combine to create a convincing backdrop for the action.

Shakespeare did not invent the story of Romeo and Juliet. His principal source is believed to be Arthur Brooke's translated poem Romeus and Juliet, a popular story that came from Italy. He transposes some aspects of English life into this Veronese tale: the servants have English names, the peace is maintained by means of the Watch, and St. Peter's church was a popular name for Westminster Abbey.

Title Image. [Online Image]. Verona: City of Art and History. Downloaded May 15, 1998.

Map. [Online Image]. Verona Live! Dowloaded May 15, 1998.