Letters to Juliet

Two households, both alike in dignity,
    In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
    From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
    Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
    From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
    A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
    

Prologue act 1

Romeo and Juliet,

William Shakespeare

  

Today I went to the library and I found a book named ‘letters to Juliet’ by Lise and Ceil Friedman (2010). The book is about the millions of letters written to Juliet of Verona. I was very fascinated by this phenomenon; I had never heard anything about it before. However the tradition of writing to Juliet dates back to the early twentieth century with letters coming in from all over the world.

 I couldn’t understand why people would actually send out letters to a person that doesn’t exist? Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, was only a fictional figure written by William Shakespeare. It is almost like writing to Santa Claus, but what is it that makes people write to her for their help?

I found in the book, that there are places in Verona, such as the Balcony of Juliet and also a tomb but I still didn’t find enough information to whether she was a legend, a myth or a real person with a similar story as Juliet from the book.

The millions of letters are taken in by the voluntary organization, The Juliet Club and they actually personally reply to most of the letters. While I was reading the book, I started becoming so intrigued by the letters that some people had written; they touched my heart, so I wanted to share them here with you.

Dear Juliet,

Who knows if you have ever written the word “Amore” on a blank sheet of paper, just look at it, without any particular reason? I have; those letters fill the page. I am in love!

There, I’ve said it all, but it’s not enough….

Each person will write to tell you of their feeling in a different way, because each of us is different. Yet if you look closely, you will see the same luminous, happy expression that unites all of those in love.

Gina R., Brescia, Italy

 

Dear Juliet,

I am in love with a black man. He is good, sweet and affectionate. My parents don’t want him in our house and will never consent to our marriage. Sometimes I go to his house, and we are like husband and wife. It is wonderful! Maybe we will run far away, where there is respect for feelings and for humanity. Juliet, do marvelous countries like that exist?

Massie R., Providence,

Rhode Island

I’ve asked myself many times, how it is that we fall in love: do we trip, lose our balance and fall, scraping our hearts? Do we crash to the ground on stones? Or is it like staying on the edge of a precipice for all time?

 Poland

 

Dear Juliet,

I am in a bunker. Outside I hear missiles exploding, bullets being fired. I am twenty-two years old and I’m scared. Our commander has told us that soon we must come out. A hand-to-hand battle awaits us. I feel I will die. I leave life with this brief note. I am entrusting it to you, symbol of universal love. I delude myself by thinking it will make people understand the futility of hate.

Brian L.,

Vietnam, 1972

Dear Juliet,

Once again a San Valentino without Valentino. I am no longer waiting for my knight in shining armor, and I am thoroughly discouraged. Most of my friends think I’m nuts because I still believe in fairytales and romantic stories. Sometime ago I began to think, and still do, that because I’m not very pretty no man would ever look at me with admiration. Since I work a lot and have strict parents, I rarely go out. I am twenty five and often dream, that one day , while serving a client, a stranger will walk through the door and take me away, and I will turn into a beautiful butterfly. I am looking for job in another field so I can become independent and not depend on my parents. If you can help me, I will be very grateful.

Affectionately,

Mirjam F., Glasgow,

Scotland

Ciao Giulietta,

If you introduce me to Leornado Di Caprio, I will love you too!