ROMEO AND JULIET PLOT

Romeo and Juliet - The Plot

Romeo and Juliet is about two families called the Montagues and the Capulets, who are bitter enemies. Romeo and Juliet are members of these families: Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet is a Capulet At the beginning of the play, there is a fight between the two families, and the Prince of Verona says that anybody starting another fight will be executed.

At this time, Juliet's parents want her to marry a rich young man called Paris, but she soon meets Romeo at a party and they fall in love. They know that their families will not allow them to marry. After the party, Romeo calls to Juliet, who is standing at her bedroom window. Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them, and thinks that this may end the fighting between the two families. They are married in secret.

Juliet's cousin, Tybalt has found out that Romeo went to the party, and wants to fight with him. At the fight, Romeo's friend, Mercutio tries to help him, and is killed by Tybalt. Romeo then kills Tybalt. The Prince arrives and tells Romeo that he is no longer allowed to live in Verona.

Capulet, Juliet's father does not know about her secret marriage, and agrees that Paris can marry her. Juliet asks Friar Lawrence for help, and he gives her a potion that will make her seem to be dead. He says that he will write to Romeo, to explain what is happening. Juliet takes the drug before the wedding, and her 'dead' body is taken to the church.

Romeo does not get the letter, and his servant tells him that Juliet is dead. He buys some poison so that he can kill himself. He goes to her tomb and drinks the poison. She wakes up, just in time to see him die. Juliet takes Romeo's dagger and kills herself.

Friar Lawrence tells the two families about the marriage and they realise the harm that their arguments have done. They agree that there will be no more fighting between the Montagues and the Capulets.