Romeo and Juliet

“In fair Verona, where we lay our scene…”

ACT I 
SCENE 1: THE MARKETPLACE 

As day breaks, Romeo, son of Montague, is found declaring his love for the fair Rosalind. With the sunrise, the marketplace fills with townspeople, among whom are members of two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Tempers flare and a quarrel develops. The Duke of Verona appears and warns the two factions that death will be the ultimate punishment if the feud does not stop. Romeo and his friends Benvolio and Mercutio make reluctant peace with Tybalt, a kinsman of the Capulets. 

“if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” 

SCENE 2: JULIET’S GARDEN IN THE CAPULET’S HOUSE 

Juliet receives her first dress from her mother, Lady Capulet, and learns that she is to meet the noble Paris, to whom she will be betrothed on the following day. Now she must bid farewell to her childhood. 

SCENE 3: OUTSIDE THE CAPULET’S HOUSE 

Guests appear for the Capulet’s ball, among them Rosalind. Romeo and his friends, masked, follow her to the ball. 

“You are a lover; borrow Cupid’s wings, And soar with them above a common bound.” 

SCENE 4: THE BALLROOM 

Juliet dances with Paris. Suddenly, she and Romeo behold each other – it is love at first sight. Tybalt, suspecting Romeo’s identity, tries to start an argument but is prevented by Lord Capulet, who abides by the laws of hospitality. 

SCENE 5: JULIET’S BALCONY 

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” 

On the balcony outside her bedroom, Juliet dreams of Romeo. He appears below in the garden. 

They declare their eternal love. 

“But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” 

Act II 
SCENE 1: THE MARKETPLACE 

A carnival is in progress in the main square. Romeo, indifferent to the gaiety around him, is discovered by Juliet’s nurse, who brings him a letter from her. In the letter, Juliet asks Romeo to meet her at the chapel of Friar Laurence. 

SCENE 2: FRIAR LAURENCE’S CELL IN THE FOREST 

In his cell, Friar Laurence joins the young lovers in marriage. 

SCENE 3: THE MARKETPLACE 

At the height of the carnival, Romeo returns to the square. Tybalt accosts him, but Romeo declines to fight. Mercutio, angered, engages in a duel with Tybalt, and dies at his hands. Romeo, distraught, turns on Tybalt and kills him. 

Act III 
SCENE 1: THE BEDROOM 

In Juliet’s bedroom, the lovers are awakened by the sunrise. Romeo, under sentence of exile, must leave Juliet and Verona. Lord and Lady Capulet enter with Paris, but Juliet rejects him. 

SCENE 2: FRIAR LAURENCE’S CELL IN THE FOREST 

Juliet, appealing to Friar Laurence for help, receives a potion from him that will place her in a death-like sleep. He explains that Romeo will find her in the family tomb and both can escape together. 

SCENE 3: THE BEDROOM 

Juliet agrees to her marriage with Paris. After he leaves with her parents, she takes the sleeping draught. Her family and friends believe she is dead when they discover her. 

SCENE 4: THE CAPULET FAMILY CRYPT 

Romeo, who never received Friar Laurence’s message revealing the plan, believes Juliet to be dead and rushes to the tomb. There he finds the mourning Paris and kills him. Embracing Juliet for the last time, he plunges his dagger into his heart. Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead. Grief-stricken, she kills herself.

“For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”