Romeo and Juliet - Key Points and Summary

Act I

Prologue

• Introduction to the setting and main conflict.
• Two noble households in Verona are feuding.
• Star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, emerge from these feuding families.
• Their love and tragic deaths will end their parents' strife.

Scene I: Verona - A Public Place

• Capulet servants (Sampson and Gregory) provoke a brawl with Montague's servants.
• Benvolio, a Montague, attempts to stop the fight.
• Tybalt, a Capulet, escalates the fight.
• Prince Escalus intervenes and declares death for further disturbances.
• Romeo is introduced as melancholy and in love with Rosaline.

Scene II: A Street

• Paris seeks to marry Juliet, but Capulet hesitates due to her young age.
• Capulet invites Paris to a feast to win Juliet's heart.
• Servant, unable to read, asks Romeo and Benvolio for help with the guest list.
• Romeo learns Rosaline will attend the feast and decides to go.

Scene III: Capulet's House

• Lady Capulet talks to Juliet about Paris's proposal.
• Juliet is indifferent about marriage.

Scene IV: A Street

• Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio head to the Capulet's feast.
• Mercutio gives his famous "Queen Mab" speech.

Scene V: Capulet's House - The Feast

• Romeo and Juliet meet and fall instantly in love.
• Tybalt recognizes Romeo and wants to duel, but Capulet restrains him.
• Romeo and Juliet learn of each other's family identities.

Act II

Prologue

• The Chorus describes the deepening love between Romeo and Juliet.

Scene I: Capulet's Orchard

• Romeo sneaks into Juliet's garden.

Scene II: Balcony Scene

• Famous balcony scene where Romeo and Juliet declare their love.
• They plan to marry secretly.

Scene III: Friar Laurence’s Cell

• Romeo asks Friar Laurence to marry them.
• Friar agrees, hoping to end the families' feud.

Scene IV: A Street

• Mercutio mocks Romeo's lovesickness.
• Nurse meets Romeo to discuss wedding plans.

Scene V: Capulet's Orchard

• Juliet impatiently awaits news from Nurse.
• Nurse delivers Romeo's message about their marriage plans.

Scene VI: Friar Laurence’s Cell

• Romeo and Juliet are married by Friar Laurence.

Act III

Scene I: A Public Place

• Mercutio and Tybalt fight; Mercutio is killed.
• In revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt.
• Prince banishes Romeo from Verona.

Scene II: Capulet's Orchard

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

Scene III: Friar Laurence’s Cell

• Romeo is devastated about banishment.
• Friar Laurence plans Romeo and Juliet's reunion.

Scene IV: Capulet's House

• Capulet sets Thursday for Juliet's marriage to Paris.

Scene V: Juliet's Room

• Romeo and Juliet part at dawn.
• Lady Capulet announces Juliet's arranged marriage to Paris.
• Juliet refuses, angering her parents.

Act IV

Scene I: Friar Laurence’s Cell

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

Scene II: Capulet's House

• Capulet prepares for the wedding.

Scene III: Juliet’s Room

• Juliet drinks the potion.

Scene IV: Capulet's House

• Capulets prepare for the wedding.

Scene V: Juliet’s Room

• Nurse finds Juliet "dead."
• Capulets mourn Juliet’s death.

Act V

Scene I: Mantua

• Romeo learns of Juliet's "death" from Balthasar.
• He buys poison to join Juliet in death.

Scene II: Friar Laurence’s Cell

• Friar Laurence learns that his letter to Romeo was not delivered.

Scene III: Capulet’s Tomb

• Paris and Romeo meet at the tomb.
• Romeo kills Paris and enters the tomb.
• Romeo drinks poison and dies beside Juliet.
• Juliet awakens, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself.
• Friar Laurence explains the tragic events to the Prince and families.
• The Montagues and Capulets reconcile.