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William Shakespeare didn’t come up with the story of Romeo and Juliet. He didn’t even introduce it to English-speaking audiences. (That honor appears to belong to an obscure poet by the name of Arthur Brooks.) In fact, there’s reason to think William Shakespeare himself considered the Romeo and Juliet story kind of wheezy, even as he sat down to write it! (At about the same time that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, he also wrote A Midsummer Night’s Dream, poking fun of the kind of love story Romeo and Juliet represents.) Well, far be it from us to contradict the Bard. Here, in 60 seconds, the top ten reasons Shakespeare should indeed be embarrassed by The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Video Transcription:

10 Reasons why The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is the worst play of all time.

After this.

10. Shakespeare gives the ending away in the title.

9. Verona isn’t Hogwarts. What’s with the friar’s fake death potion?

8. Shakespeare gives the ending away in the prologue. Thanks for making me want to keep reading.

7. I’m claustrophobic. Don’t tell me that Juliet is going to be trapped, alive, in a tomb.

6. Shakespeare gives the ending away when Romeo and Juliet meet. How romantic.

5. What’s with the super-important letter to Romeo that just happens to never reach him? Fed-Ex, people. Fed-Ex!

4. Shakespeare gives away the ending at the beginning of Act II. I get it already!

3. Why didn’t Romeo and Juliet run away together at the beginning? Come on, guys! Use your brain!

2. Shakespeare gives away the ending at Romeo and Juliet’s marriage ceremony. Downer!

1. Here’s the plot. They meet. Five seconds later, they’re in love. The next day they’re married. By the end of the week, they’ve both committed suicide …

Let’s face it: Dying is easy; Shakespeare is hard … Except with the 60second Recap. Stay tuned.

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