Romeo and Juliet

A lazy July Sunday quickly becomes lively as Montague servants Abram and Balthasar encounter Capulet servants Sampson and Gregory. This seemingly benign battle of words nearly escalates into a confrontation between Lord Montague’s nephew Benvolio and Lady Capulet’s nephew Tybalt. Prince Escalus arrives before it gets too far, stops the fighting and proclaims death sentences on anyone who publicly renews the long-standing feud between these families. Later that day Paris, a kinsman of the Prince, approaches Lord Capulet about marrying Juliet. The Lord proclaims her too young and tells Paris must wait two more years before having her hand.

 

Meanwhile in the Montague household, Romeo laments his love for Rosaline, a chaste woman who does not return his affection. Despite all attempts to cheer him up, neither Mercutio nor Benvolio can get their unhappy friend to emerge from his black cloud of despair. That is until they learn that Rosaline will be at the Capulet party to be held that night. The guys decide to don disguises and sneak into the party so they can compare Rosaline’s beauty to other women of Verona in order to show Romeo that there are other fish in the sea. Upon entering the ballroom, Romeo immediately falls for Juliet. Rosaline is no longer an issue. Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and calls for his sword. Lord Capulet stops Tybalt from creating a scene at the party, which is slowly winding down. Too much in love to go home, Romeo finds his way to the orchard just outside Juliet’s balcony. They exchange vows of love.

 

Romeo approaches Friar Laurence early Monday morning regarding the possibility of secretly marrying he and Juliet that afternoon. The Friar obliges, thinking this is the way to mend the rift between Montague and Capulet. Shortly after the secret wedding, Juliet hurries home so as to not raise suspicions. Romeo pledges that he will meet her that night at her balcony. With the heat of the day rising, tempers flair in the streets. The rather manic Mercutio confronts Tybalt after Romeo refuses to do so. Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo, in turn, kills (his now cousin) Tybalt. With the bodies of both men littering the streets, the Prince appears to restore order. Since Romeo did try to break up the fight, Prince Escalus banishes Romeo to Mantua rather than having him executed.

 

Scared, Romeo flees to the sanctuary of Friar Laurence’s cell. The Friar advises Romeo to visit his wife under the cover of darkness before heading to Mantua. He does so. Though only about thirty miles away, Romeo and Juliet bemoan their separation. What makes this worse is Lord Capulet’s yet-to-be-announced arranged marriage for Juliet to Paris later that week. Horrified by the news, Juliet goes to the Friar for advice. He offers a plan of faux death as her only way out. Through missed communications and misunderstandings, the young lovers are found dead early Thursday morning. The two households both alike in dignity vow to put the feud to rest forever.