Summary of the Play

Verona is the setting for a feud between two noble families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The Prince of Verona has declared that anyone caught fighting will face death. Young Romeo of the Montague family was infatuated with Rosaline, a Capulet niece, but he forgets about her when he meets Juliet at a masque ball at the Capulet’s house. Romeo professes his love for Juliet after sneaking into her garden and they decide to marry in secret with the help of Friar Laurence.

Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, discovers Romeo at the ball and challenges him to a duel. Romeo tries to avoid fighting as he is now married to Juliet, but his friend Mercutio ends up getting killed in a fight with Tybalt. Romeo avenges Mercutio’s death by killing Tybalt, leading to his banishment from Verona by the Prince. Romeo and Juliet are married, but Juliet’s parents want her to marry Paris. Juliet fakes her death with the help of Friar Laurence in a plan to reunite with Romeo.

Romeo mistakenly believes Juliet is dead and rushes to her tomb with poison. Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead and kills herself with his dagger. Friar Laurence arrives to find the tragic scene and explains the situation to the Prince and their parents. The Montagues and Capulets, faced with the consequences of their feud, vow to end their enmity.