Question

Shakespeare's version of Romeo and Juliet takes place over 4 days, whereas Arthur Brooke's version takes place over many months. Why might Shakespeare have shortened the timeframe?

to make the pacing and action more immediate and tense
to slow down the emotion
so no one would call it plagiarism
to make the play shorter

Answer 1

It would be the first option. A

Answer 2

Given shakepsperes love of Drama; I feel the best answer is your first option.