Romeo and Juliet (1597), written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), is probably one of the most recognizable and adapted love stories of all time: the tragedy of two star-crossed lovers, both members of warring families and doomed from the start to a forbidden love. The plot was inspired by an Italian tale but later expanded by Shakespeare with subplots and more characters. The additions and new level of complexity helped set apart Romeo and Juliet from other contemporary romances, creating an immortal story in the process.