ROMEO AND JULIET - A SUMMARY



ROMEO AND JULIET - A SUMMARY

A boy and a girl, from families who hate each other bitterly, fall in love, but everything goes wrong for them and they kill themselves rather than be parted.

Most of the play takes place in 'fair Verona' an attractive little city in the north of Italy. The action moves quickly from the city streets to the hall of old Capulet's house, then to the orchard below Juliet's balcony, to Friar Lawrence’s lonely cell and finally to the vault where the Capulets and the Montagues view their dead children.

The play starts on a Sunday morning in the middle of July; less than five days later - just before dawn on the following Thursday - it is all over.

ACT 1

A fight between servants of two important families the Montagues and the Capulets is broken up by the Prince. Romeo tells Benvolio that he is in love with Rosaline. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris. Lord Capulet starts to prepare for the celebrations.

A servant of Lord Capulet asks Romeo to read the invitation list. Romeo decides to go to the ball to see Rosaline.

At the ball Romeo meets and falls in love with Juliet, only afterwards do they discover that their families are sworn enemies.

Tybalt recognizes Romeo but is prevented from doing anything by Lord Capulet who does not want trouble.

ACT 2

Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo. Juliet tells Romeo she loves him and they exchange vows. Romeo goes to see Friar Lawrence, who agrees to marry them as it may help end the feud. Meanwhile Tybalt makes it known he wishes to challenge Romeo to a duel.

Romeo tells the Nurse of his plan to marry Juliet. Juliet blushes when she hears the news.

Romeo and Juliet meet at the Friar's cell and are married in secret.

ACT 3

Next day Mercutio picks a fight with Tybalt. Romeo turns up and tries to intervene. Tybalt kills Mercutio when Romeo gets in the way. This makes Romeo angry and he then kills Tybalt. Romeo now a murderer is banished from Verona.

ACT 4

Paris goes to Friar Lawrence's cell. Paris announces he is to marry Juliet on Thursday.

Juliet says she will stab herself rather than marry Paris.

The Friar gives her a bottle containing a substance which will make her appear dead for 48 hours. His plan is to write to Romeo so that he will be there when she wakes up.

Juliet agrees to marry Paris to please her father, who then brings the wedding day forward to Wednesday.

Juliet takes the potion. Her family mourn her death.

ACT 5

Balthasar arrives in Mantua with news of Juliet's death. Romeo goes to an apothecary to buy poison. Friar Lawrence learns that his messenger Friar John did not get to Mantua because of the plague.

Paris is at the tomb when Romeo arrives. They fight and Romeo kills Paris. Romeo sees Juliet who he thinks is dead and poisons himself. Friar Lawrence arrives to late to save Romeo.

Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and kills herself with his dagger.

Montague and Capulet agree to end their feud and pledge to put a statue in pure gold in the town.

 

WHY IS THE PLAY SO POPULAR?

1. It is a good story.

2. It contains conflict and contrast.

3. It is spectacular.

4. It is full of suspense.

5. It contains humour.

6. It is romantic.

7. It has pathos.

8. The characters are interesting.

9. It contains stirring poetry.

10. It contains dramatic irony.

11. The influence of fate is interesting.

12. It contains aspects of revenge. (Nemesis)

Character Summary

Juliet is Lord and Lady Capulet's daughter. She is 14 years old. She is a gentle girl and obedient to her parents. She has a nurse who has looked after her since she was a baby. She is very romantic.

Romeo is Lord and Lady Montague's son. He is a hot headed young man and rushes into things without thinking. He is very romantic. His two best friends are Benvolio and Mercutio.

Tybalt is Juliet's cousin and is a Capulet. He is an argumentative young man, a trouble maker who loves fighting. He likes violence.

Mercutio is Romeo's friend. He is young, lively and a very likeable young man. He is always talking and joking. He is honourable and very loyal to Romeo.

Benvolio is Romeo's cousin and close friend. He is a sensible, trustworthy young man who is very loyal to Romeo.

Lord Capulet is Juliet's father. He is a stubborn old man and sometimes has a bad temper. He loves his only daughter very much and wants the best for her. He is Tybalt's uncle.

Lady Capulet is Juliet's mother. She is younger than Lord Capulet. She loves her daughter but is not as dose to Juliet as the nurse.

Lord Montague is Romeo's Father. He is not a very quarrelsome man but wants the best for his son.

Lady Montague is Romeo's mother and loves her son very much.

Friar Lawrence is a wise and holy man. He is a priest and usually gives good advice. He secretly marries Romeo and Juliet.

The Nurse is a practical but rather stupid woman. She works for the Capulets and has looked after Juliet since she was a baby. She loves Juliet like her own child. Juliet is very fond of her.

Paris is a handsome young man, pleasant and polite. He is the cousin of the Prince of Verona. He is very fond of Juliet. Lord and Lady Capulet think be is a suitable husband for Juliet.

The Prince of Verona is the most important person in the City of Verona. He is a wise and fair man who wants the Capulets and Montagues to live in peace.

Which Characters come to a Tragic End?

• MERCUTIO - killed by Tybalt

• TYBALT - killed by Romeo

• LADY MONTAGUE - heartbroken because of Romeo's banishment

• PARIS - killed by Romeo

• ROMEO - poisoned by his own hand

• JULIET - stabbed by her own hand

All the deaths are due to the feud between the two rival families

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