Romeo and Juliet: Folger Shakespeare Library Edition

Introduction by Michael Witmore

• Shakespeare's works are timeless.
• The Folger Shakespeare Library offers well-edited texts for study, adaptation, and enjoyment.
• The texts are based on the New Folger Editions.
• The Folger Library in Washington, DC, is a major resource for Shakespearean materials.

Textual Introduction

• Shakespeare's plays exist in multiple versions, not a single text.
• Different editions are based on Quartos and the First Folio.
• Editors make choices on words based on various factors, including historical context and taste.
• Folger Editions show editorial interventions for transparency.

Synopsis of Romeo and Juliet

• The play follows star-crossed lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet.
• Their families are feuding, but they fall in love at first sight.
• A series of tragic misunderstandings and events lead to their deaths, which eventually reconciles their families.

Characters in the Play

• Montagues: Romeo, Montague, Lady Montague, Benvolio, Abram, Balthasar.
• Capulets: Juliet, Capulet, Lady Capulet, Nurse, Tybalt, Petruchio.
• Others: Escalus, Paris, Mercutio, Friar Lawrence, Friar John.

Prologue

• Introduces the setting in Verona and the conflict between the Montagues and Capulets.
• Foretells the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet.

Act 1

Scene 1

• A street fight breaks out between servants of the feuding noblemen.
• Prince Escalus decrees death for further breaches of the peace.

Scene 2

• Paris seeks Juliet's hand in marriage.
• Capulet throws a masquerade ball.

Scene 3

• Lady Capulet and Nurse discuss Paris’s intention to marry Juliet.

Scene 4

• Romeo and friends crash the Capulet party.

Scene 5

• Romeo meets Juliet; they fall in love.
• Tybalt recognizes Romeo and vows revenge.

Act 2

Scene 1

• Romeo sneaks into the Capulet’s garden.

Scene 2

• The famous balcony scene; Romeo and Juliet declare their love.

Scene 3

• Romeo asks Friar Lawrence to marry them.

Scene 4

• Romeo and friends engage in witty banter.
• The Nurse arranges for Romeo and Juliet's wedding.

Scene 5

• Juliet awaits news from Romeo.

Scene 6

• Romeo and Juliet are married in secret by Friar Lawrence.

Act 3

Scene 1

• Mercutio and Tybalt fight; Mercutio is killed.
• Romeo avenges Mercutio by killing Tybalt and is banished.

Scene 2

• Juliet learns of Tybalt's death and Romeo's banishment.

Scene 3

• Friar Lawrence tells Romeo of his banishment.
• They plan to meet Juliet.

Scene 4

• Capulet decides Juliet will marry Paris in three days.

Scene 5

• Romeo and Juliet part at dawn.
• Juliet refuses her father’s plans to marry Paris.

Act 4

Scene 1

• Juliet seeks Friar Lawrence’s help to avoid marrying Paris.
• The Friar gives her a potion to appear dead.

Scene 2

• Capulet prepares for the wedding.

Scene 3

• Juliet drinks the potion.

Scene 4

• The Capulet household prepares for the wedding.

Scene 5

• Juliet is found "dead" in her bed.
• The wedding turns into a funeral.

Act 5

Scene 1

• Romeo learns of Juliet's death and buys poison.

Scene 2

• Friar John fails to deliver Friar Lawrence’s letter to Romeo.

Scene 3

• Paris mourns Juliet at her tomb.
• Romeo arrives, they fight, and Paris is killed.
• Romeo takes poison, dies beside Juliet.
• Juliet awakens, sees Romeo dead, and kills herself.
• The families find the bodies and reconcile.
• The Prince acknowledges the tragedy as a result of their feud.