Plot Summary

Act One

• The Montagues and Capulets are fighting again in Verona.

• Prince Escalus warns both families to stop fighting.

• Romeo is sad because Rosaline does not love him.

• Benvolio tells Romeo to look at other girls.

• Romeo and his friends go to the Capulet party.

• Romeo and Juliet meet and instantly fall in love.

• They discover they are from enemy families.

Act Two

• Romeo sneaks into the Capulet garden.

• Juliet says the famous “What’s in a name?” speech.

• Romeo and Juliet promise their love.

• Friar Laurence agrees to marry them secretly.

• The Nurse helps arrange the marriage.

• Romeo and Juliet get married.

Act Three

• Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight.

• Mercutio fights Tybalt and is killed.

• Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge.

• Prince Escalus banishes Romeo from Verona.

• Romeo and Juliet spend one night together.

• Capulet plans Juliet’s marriage to Paris.

• Juliet refuses and argues with her parents.

Act Four

• Juliet goes to Friar Laurence for help.

• Friar gives Juliet a sleeping potion.

• Juliet drinks the potion before the wedding.

• Her family believes she is dead.

Act Five

• Romeo hears Juliet is dead.

• Romeo buys poison and goes to Juliet’s tomb.

• Paris confronts Romeo and dies in a fight.

• Romeo drinks poison and dies beside Juliet.

• Juliet wakes up, sees Romeo dead, and kills herself.

• The families end their feud after the tragedy.