Name:
Paik
Honors English - Period 3
Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietSummaries
THE PROLOGUE
The prologue introduces the setting and main conflict. The story develops the feud between two families–the Montagues and the Capulets, and is set in Verona. It explains how two lovers have taken their life due to problems within their families. Its purpose is to hook the audience and leave them craving for more.
ACT I
Scene 1: A public square in Verona
The scene starts off with two Capulet servants joking around in the street. Eventually, they stumble upon servants from the Montague house. A fight begins after the Capulet servants “bite their thumbs” toward the Montagues. Benvolio jumps in to stop the fight. Later comes Tybalt, who thinks Benvolio is part of the fight. After the men have gathered the attention of the town, Prince Escalus impedes and threatens to give both Montagues and Capulets the death penalty if a fight occurs again. Benvolio and the Montagues talk about Romeo and wonder what is bothering him. Romeo confesses that a girl’s denial has caused him sorrow. It turns out that the girl has sworn to never wed.
Scene 2: A street near the Capulet house
Paris asks Capulet to respond to his proposal to marry Juliet. Capulet says that Juliet is too young to marry and may even die while giving birth. Capulet tells Paris to wait two more years to win Juliet’s heart. The Capulets have a feast and Capulet has asked the servant to read. He stumbles upon Romeo and asks him to read the list. While reading the list, Romeo discovers that Rosaline is attending the feast. Benvolio encourages Romeo to attend and compare Rosaline to all of the other beautiful women. Romeo agrees to go but only to see Rosaline.
Scene 3: Capulet’s house
Lady Capulet has a talk with Juliet with the help of the nurse. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that it is time for her to get married since she is of proper age. Juliet does not respond with much excitement, and says that she hasn’t given it much thought. Lady Capulet also tells Juliet that she gave birth to her around Juliet’s current age. Lady Capulet provides that Paris has expressed interest in Juliet, and should begin to think about marriage and speak with Paris on the night of the Capulet party.
Scene 4: A street near the Capulet house
It is the evening of the Capulet Masque or costume ball. Romeo and his two friends, Benvolio and Mercutio are on their way to the Capulet house. They are trying to cheer Romeo up. They all plan attend the ball and Romeo is eager to see Rosaline. Romeo explains his dream about the consequences of going to the ball.
Scene 5: A hall in Capulet’s house; the scene of the party
Tybalt recognizes Romeo and tells Capulet that Romeo is there to mock the party, but Capulet dismisses Romeo’s presence. Capulet tells Tybalt to calm down. Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. They dance together and share a kiss. Juliet is summoned by her mother and discovers the identity of Romeo, a Montague.
THE PROLOGUE
Romeo has moved on with someone else in his life, but the setback is that she the daughter of his family’s rival. Romeo and Juliet are initially attracted to one another for their looks; however, they cannot be wed for their families forbid it.
ACT II
Scene 1: A lane by the wall of Capulet’s orchard
Romeo arrives at the Capulet home to see Juliet. He hides in the orchard, and Benvolio and Mercutio are searching for him. They still think that Romeo is in love with Rosaline, his previous beloved. Benvolio and Mercutio do not know anything about Romeo’s plan to meet Juliet. Mercutio makes fun of Romeo’s lovesickness as they search and call for him.
Scene 2: Capulet’s orchard
Romeo and Juliet speak private thoughts to themselves and Romeo wanders around the Capulet’s orchard. Juliet is on the balcony and Romeo is at the bottom by the garden. Juliet expresses her thoughts aloud regarding her love for Romeo. Romeo listens and speaks to Juliet, as he cannot resist her. Eventually, Romeo and Juliet plan to wed despite their family feud.
Scene 3: Friar Laurence’s cell in the monastery
The scene begins with Friar Laurence’s monologue about the morning, where he describes the sunrise and the street. He notices the morning dew, the flowers, bales of hay, and the usual barter between merchant and customer. Romeo arrives at the friar’s cell and explains his reunion with Juliet. Although Friar Laurence is skeptical and tries to talk Romeo out of a wedding, Romeo eventually convinces the friar to help him out.
Scene 4: A street
Romeo reunites with Benvolio and Mercutio in the street after meeting with the friar. He is excited to see them, and they talk with swordplay and with few notes. The nurse arrives with a message for Romeo, where Juliet asks Romeo to meet at Friar Laurence’s for their secret wedding.
Scene 5: Capulet’s orchard
Juliet is in the orchard waiting three hours for the nurse to arrive. The longer Juliet waits, the more upset she becomes and loses patience. The nurse finally shows up and has a message from Romeo; however, the nurse refuses to tell Juliet. Juliet insists that the nurse tell her, and the nurse explains that she must run to Friar Laurence's cell because Romeo is expecting her arrival.
Scene 6: Friar Laurence’s cell
Friar Laurence warns Romeo to be more cautious and sensible with regards to his love for Juliet. The friar explains, “delights have violent ends.” Romeo and Juliet profess their love for one another as soon as Juliet arrives to the cell. The friar prepares to marry the delighted couple.
ACT III
Scene 1: A public place
Mercutio, Benvolio, and Romeo encounter Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, on the streets. Tybalt attempts to start a fight with Romeo by insulting him. Romeo remains calm while Mercutio gets upset in his place. Mercutio and Tybalt engage in a bloody fight where the pride of their households is at stake. The battle ends with Mercutio’s death, which infuriates Romeo, encouraging him to avenge his beloved companion. Romeo succeeds in his vengeance, but citizens of Verona witness his duel. The Capulets and the Montagues appear with the Prince. After Benvolio clarifies the situation at hand, the Prince declares that Romeo is banished from Verona.
Scene 2: Capulet’s orchard
Juliet waits for night to come, as it signals Romeo’s arrival. She is disappointed at his failure to keep his promise, but is soon thrown into a fit of emotions as the nurse informs her of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment. Juliet is filled with despair and threatens to take her own life. To prevent this disaster, the nurse arranges a secret rendezvous between Romeo and Juliet.
Scene 3: Friar Laurence’s cell
Friar Laurence tells Romeo that he is banished and the friar is overwhelmed with grief. The nurse comes in and tells Romeo that Juliet is also in pain. He threatens to kill himself, but Friar Laurence comes up with a plan. After spending the night with Juliet, Romeo is to escape to Mantua before the guards catch him. Friar Laurence will announce Romeo and Juliet’s marriage and attempt to convince the Prince to spare Romeo from his banishment.
Scene 4: Capulet’s house
The Capulets are mourning over the death of Tybalt. Paris states that it is not the right time for marriage, but Capulet insists that Paris and Juliet wed on Thursday. Lady Capulet must tell Juliet immediately.
Scene 5: Capulet’s orchard
Romeo and Juliet spend the night together. When Romeo leaves, Lady Capulet tells Juliet that her father plans to have her marry Paris on Thursday. She is furious with his decision and refuses to marry Paris. Her father is extremely angry and threatens to disown her if she does not marry him. The nurse tries to convince Juliet that she will have a better marriage with Paris than with Romeo. Juliet is infuriated with the nurse and goes to Friar Laurence for advice.
ACT IV
Scene 1: Friar Laurence’s cell
Paris speaks to Friar Laurence about Juliet and the recent events that have occurred. Juliet enters and a conversation ensues about their upcoming wedding. After Paris exits, the friar tells Juliet (now greatly distressed) of his plan to help her reunite with Romeo. He will give her a potion putting her in a death like state. After being discovered and thought to be dead by her family, and put in the Capulet tombs, Romeo will retrieve her as she wakes and they will escape together to Mantua.
Scene 2/3: Capulet’s house/Juliet’s bedroom
Juliet’s father, Capulet holds a brief conversation with a serving man. Capulet, curious as to where Juliet has gone, inquires the nurse. She tells him that Juliet has gone to see Friar Laurence. Juliet then enters, proclaiming to her father that she has realized her wrongful disobedience and asks for his forgiveness. She lies to her father that she would like to be wed to Paris. Her father, now overjoyed, plans to have the wedding the following day, and Juliet exits to “prepare” for the event.
In the following scene, Juliet is seen with her mother and the nurse preparing for the wedding. Juliet asks both to leave saying she must pray and gives a long soliloquy to the audience concerning her uneasiness and the uncertainties she is feeling. To end the scene, she drinks the vile and falls asleep.
Scene 4/5: Capulet’s house/Juliet’s bedroom
Juliet’s parents and the nurse prepare for the upcoming wedding. The scene is portrayed as a form of comic relief in order to toil with the emotions of the audience. The scene segues with the nurse being sent to fetch Juliet to help her prepare.
In the following scene, the nurse arrives at Juliet’s quarters to find her in a presumably dead state. The aura suddenly shifts from humorous to dreadful as members of the Capulet house discover the tragedy, and the festivities are cancelled. The friar instructs them to place Juliet in the Capulet tombs. The scene ends with another instance of comic relief where Peter asks the three musicians to play him a “merry dump” (a sad or solemn song). The musicians abruptly refuse to do so, leading to a comical conversation.
ACT V
Scene 1: A street in Mantua
Romeo dreams about how he dies and Juliet finds him, kisses him, revives him and he becomes emperor. They find out that Juliet is dead by Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, and apologize for sending the unfortunate news. Romeo desires to see Juliet and requests poison from a pharmacist.
Scene 2: Friar Laurence’s cell in Verona
Friar John cannot deliver the message to Romeo. Since the letter was not sent, it can cause great harm to Romeo. There is a plague that puts Friar John into quarantine, which prevents him from sending Friar Laurence’s letter to Romeo. Friar Laurence hides Juliet in his room until Romeo comes to take her away.
Scene 3: The cemetery that contains the Capulets’ tomb
Romeo and Juliet commit suicide, which leads to the end of the family feud. Romeo arrives at Juliet’s tomb and finds Paris there. They battle each other resulting in Paris’ death; he wishes to lie beside Juliet’s body. Romeo obliges, proceeds to drink the poison, and dies. Juliet awakens and is told that Paris and Romeo are dead by the friar; she stabs herself with a dagger. The two families arrive and witness the scene, and come to an agreement to end the rage.
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