Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Act 1

The play begins with a fight between servants of the Montague and Capulet families on the streets of Verona. Romeo’s cousin, Benvolio, attempts to stop the fight and engages with Tybalt, a Capulet. The fight escalates until Prince Escalus stops it, outlawing any further fighting between the families by punishment of death. Benvolio comforts Romeo, who is depressed over his unrequited love for Rosaline.

In the next scene, the head of the Capulet household discusses marriage with Paris, who desires his daughter. Juliet’s father invites him to a masquerade ball, where Paris will have the opportunity to romance her. A Capulet servant comes across Romeo and Benvolio and invites them to the ball, not realizing that they are Montagues. Romeo only agrees to attend the ball because he knows Rosaline will be there. In a separate scene, Lady Capulet discusses the potential for Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet has no choice but to consider the option, as her mother assures her it is an ideal match and that she must marry eventually.

Romeo and Benvolio attend the masquerade ball with their friend Mercutio. Romeo’s melancholy persists, and he refuses to dance. He claims to have had an ominous dream about death, and Mercutio ridicules him. In the next scene, Romeo comes across Juliet while searching for Rosaline and experiences love at first sight. Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and is prepared to fight him in front of the party guests. Lord Capulet forbids this, claiming it would ruin the party, and Tybalt exits angrily. Romeo and Juliet flirt, and she permits him to kiss her. Juliet leaves, and Romeo learns that she is a Capulet. Juliet similarly learns he is a Montague, and both are grieved by the news.

Act 2

Romeo exits the Capulet house, yearning for Juliet. He is incapable of leaving without seeing her again and approaches the house again. Mercutio and Benvolio believe he is pursuing Rosaline and joke about this as they leave. Romeo hangs around the house, just wanting to be near Juliet. He looks up to see her emerge from her upstairs balcony. Juliet thinks she is alone and expresses her love for Romeo and deep sadness over his family name. He makes himself known and they exchange promises of love and devotion. Juliet is called inside by her nurse, and before she leaves, Romeo promises to come up with a plan so that they can be married.

Romeo visits Friar Laurence and tells him about Juliet and their plans to get married. The friar expresses concern over his friend’s abrupt change of heart, as Romeo had been lovestruck over Rosaline days before. Romeo persuades Friar Laurence of his love for Juliet and the man agrees to help him. In the next scene, Mercutio and Benvolio learn that Tybalt has left a note for Romeo at the Montague house, challenging him to a duel. Romeo meets his friends with elevated spirits, gushing about Juliet. They come upon Juliet’s nurse, and...