A Synopsis of Romeo and Juliet

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GRUDGES AND MISMATCHES
A street brawl in Verona between the feuding families of Capulet and Montague is broken up by the Prince. The Montagues discuss with their nephew Benvolio the melancholy of their son Romeo. Benvolio later learns from Romeo that its origins lie in his love for a woman who has taken a vow of chastity and who ignores him. Paris, a noble friend of the Prince, seeks the hand of Juliet from her father. Capulet is persuaded to consent if Paris can win her affections at that evening’s banquet. His illiterate servant shows the list of guests to Romeo and Benvolio. Romeo’s beloved, Rosaline, is among them and the pair decide to attend the banquet in disguise.

A KISS AND A BALCONY
The Nurse reminisces about Juliet’s childhood and Lady Capulet tells her daughter of her father’s plans to marry her off to Paris. Benvolio, Mercutio and Romeo arrive at the banquet and Romeo sees Juliet for the first time. Juliet’s cousin Tybalt recognises Romeo and leaves angrily. Romeo and Juliet meet and kiss. Later, Romeo learns that Juliet is a Capulet: Juliet that Romeo is a Montague. Romeo separates from his friends and conceals himself in Capulet’s orchard. Juliet appears on the balcony. Romeo reveals himself and they exchange vows, resolving to marry in secret. Romeo later persuades Friar Laurence to assist in their plans. Mercutio and Benvolio discuss whether Romeo will be equal to Tybalt, who has challenged him to a duel. Their meeting with Romeo is interrupted by the Nurse, to whom Romeo gives a message for Juliet. The Nurse conveys the message and the lovers meet that afternoon at Friar Laurence’s cell where the Friar prepares to marry them.

MORALITY AND EXILE
Mercutio runs across Tybalt and provokes him. In the ensuing fights, Mercutio is killed by Tybalt, and Tybalt by Romeo. Interrupting Benvolio’s account of what has happened, the Prince pronounces Romeo’s banishment from Verona. The Nurse tells Juliet the news of Tybalt’s death and Romeo's banishment. Romeo (now in hiding with the Friar) finds out he is to be banished. When the Nurse brings word of Juliet’s distress, Romeo’s grief deepens and he, like Juliet, talks of suicide. The Friar persuades Romeo to flee to Mantua and stay there until the marriage becomes common knowledge.

THE PLAN FOR REUNION
The lovers spend a night together and, after a reluctant farewell, Romeo leaves for Mantua. Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she must marry Paris in three days. Juliet refuses and her parents leave angrily. The Nurse advises her to forget Romeo and marry Paris. Juliet secretly resolves to consult Friar Laurence. Juliet finds Paris with the Friar. She evades Paris’ attentions and asks the Friar for help. He prescribes Juliet a potion which will make her seem to be dead on the day of her proposed wedding. He explains that, once she is closed in the family crypt, Romeo can come to her and they will run away together. Later, the day of the wedding is brought forward. Alone in her bedroom, Juliet drinks the potion and falls unconscious. Next morning, she is taken for dead and news reaches the banished Romeo of Juliet’s ‘death’. He resolves to join her and buys poison from an apothecary. Friar John tells Friar Laurence that he has failed deliver the letter to Romeo about the plot. The Friar resolves to fetch Juliet from the vault where she has been interred and keep her in his cell till Romeo comes…

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