Romeo and Juliet Summary provides a quick review of the play's plot
including every important action in the play. Romeo and Juliet Summary is
divided by the five acts of the play and makes an ideal introduction before
reading the original text.
Prologue
Arguably Shakespeare's most famous play begins with a Prologue which
establishes that this play will be a tragedy and that the children of two
feuding families, Romeo of the Montague family and Juliet of the Capulet family,
will both love and die in the course of this play...
Act I.
Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar,
servants to the Montague family start a street fight, which is joined by
Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona who
angrily learns of this fight, declares a death penalty for further feuding
between the two families. Romeo we learn is lovesick; Rosaline, the object of
his affections will not requite (return) his love. His friend Benvolio tells
Romeo to look at other girls...
Meanwhile Capulet is keen for Paris to marry his daughter Juliet and plans a
party to be held later that night. Romeo and friends decide to turn up
uninvited, Romeo hoping to see Rosaline, whom he still pines for...
Lady Capulet discusses the idea of marriage to Paris with Juliet. Juliet
keeps her options open. The Nurse wishes Juliet every possible happiness...
Meanwhile Mercutio attempts to cheer a lovesick Romeo up, telling him to be
rough with love if need be.
At the Capulet's party, Romeo who is disguised by a masque (mask), falls in
love with Juliet on sight. Capulet stops Tybalt from attacking Romeo at his
party, telling him there will be other opportunities. Both Romeo and Juliet
learn that they are each enemies of the other's family... A Prologue sung by a
choir dramatizes the conflict both Romeo and Juliet feel between their love for
one another and their loyalty to their respective families.
Act II.
Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet's wall to be near Juliet, the
woman he cannot forget... Unnoticed in Juliet's orchard, Romeo learns of
Juliet's love for him. After declaring their feelings for each other, the two
decide to marry. Juliet will send Romeo a messenger in the morning to make plans
for their wedding...
The very next day, we meet Romeo's friend, Friar Laurence. He wonders how
Romeo can forget Rosaline so quickly but agrees to marry the two since he hopes
this marriage it will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud...
Romeo catches up with his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. Juliet's messenger,
the Nurse, arrives and the wedding is set for later that day. The Nurse brings
Romeo "cords" or ropes which will allow Romeo to climb into Juliet's bedchamber
as her husband later that night... Act II ends with Romeo and Juliet's marriage.
Act III.
Benvolio and Mercutio (both Montagues) meet Tybalt (Capulet). Tybalt attempts
to provoke Romeo into fighting. Mercutio fights Tybalt and is killed. Romeo then
kills Tybalt. Escalus, the Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from Verona
threatening death should he ever return. Juliet learns of Romeo killing Tybalt
and despite being torn between her loyalty for her family and Romeo, mourns her
husband Romeo's banishment.
Romeo learns of the banishment order, realizing he will not be able to see
Juliet again. Friar Laurence suggests Romeo go to Juliet's bed chamber to
comfort his wife... Capulet, who does not know of Romeo and Juliet's marriage,
decides that the marriage of Juliet to Paris must now proceed, bidding his wife
to make Juliet aware of Paris' love for her. The day of the marriage has been
decided; it will be Thursday.
We learn that Romeo has spent the night with his Juliet. Juliet who is now
already secretly married to Romeo, learns that she is to marry Paris. She tries
to fight her father's wishes, failing to dissuade him. Juliet decides to commit
suicide if all else fails...
Act IV.
Paris reveals that the wedding will occur on Thursday. Juliet is cold to
Paris. Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a potion simulating death, allowing
Romeo to take her away, unopposed to Mantua since everyone will think she is
dead at the Capulet's ancient vault or burial ground.
Capulet makes plans for Juliet's wedding. Juliet, who has decided to drink
Friar Laurence's potion, no longer opposes the wedding, delighting Capulet.
Hearing this good news, Capulet, who is keen to have Juliet marry Paris
decides to move the wedding forward. It will now be on Wednesday morning, not
Thursday as previously planned...
Juliet succeeds in sleeping alone which allows her to take the potion in
privacy. Juliet worries about the Friar's intentions before the potion takes
effect and she falls asleep...
Lady Capulet and the Nurse are busy making preparations for the wedding. It
is 3 o'clock in the morning and now Capulet hearing music announcing Paris'
arrival, tells the Nurse to wake Juliet. The Capulet's learn that their daughter
Juliet is dead. The wedding preparations are changed to those of a funeral.
Act V.
In Mantua, Romeo learns of Juliet's death, deciding to risk his own life by
returning to Verona at once to see Juliet one last time. Romeo also buys some
poison from a local Apothecary.
Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that his letter informing Romeo that
Juliet is not dead, did not reach Romeo. Friar Laurence tries again to inform
Romeo of his plan and heads off to the Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will
soon awaken.
Paris mourns his bride that never was. Romeo arrives, opening Juliet's coffin
to look at his love one last time. Paris fights Romeo whom he believes is
desecrating Juliet's grave. Paris dies, Romeo placing him beside Juliet. Romeo
takes his poison, kisses Juliet and dies. Friar Laurence arrives too late.
Juliet, now awakens, asking for her Romeo. Friar Laurence leaves, leaving Juliet
alone. Juliet kisses Romeo and stabs herself, dying. The Prince, Capulets, and
Montagues arrive, Balthasar and Friar Laurence explaining all. Escalus scolds
the two families who finally end their feud. The play ends with the Prince
summarizing this tragic love story.
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