The play 'Romeo and Juliet' was written by William Shakespeare. It is one of Shakespeare's most famous and frequently performed plays, depicting a tragic love story between two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, Italy. Written in the late 16th century, the play explores themes of love, fate, and the consequences of family conflict. The dramatic tension, poetic language, and memorable characters have made 'Romeo and Juliet' a timeless classic that has inspired countless adaptations in literature, theater, film, and other forms of art throughout the centuries.