ROMEO AND JULIET - rivals. Their longstanding feud breaks out in t...

ROMEO AND JULIET

Plot Summary

The Capulet and Montague families of Verona, both affluent and influential, have long been rivals. Their longstanding feud breaks out in the form of a street brawl, which has to be broken up by Escalus, Prince of Verona. He threatens anyone who disturbs the peace of the city with death.Romeo, son of Lord Montague, attends a feast hosted by Lord Capulet, disguised in a mask.There he sees Juliet, Lord Capulet’s daughter, and falls in love with her in spite of the fact that he had previously been in love with another girl called Rosaline. After the feast, Juliet confesses her love for Romeo and he, being under her window at the time, overhears. He wins her over and she consents to marry him.Due to the enmity between their families, their marriage must be kept a secret. They are married by Friar Lawrence the next day. Romeo’s friend, Mercutio, meets Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, who is angry to discover that Romeo had attended the Capulet feast. They quarrel, and on the appearance of Romeo, Tybalt tries to pick a quarrel with him also. Romeo, now Tybalt’s cousin by marriage, tries to reason with him, refusing to fight. Mercutio takes up the challenge in Romeo’s stead and is killed by Tybalt. Romeo avenges Mercutio’s death by killing Tybalt.Prince Escalus, Montague and Capulet arrive and Romeo is punished with banishment.Romeo and Juliet spend the night together. He leaves Verona early the next day to go to Mantua.Friar Lawrence has advised him to do this, with the promise that he will publish the news of their marriage when the time is right. Romeo’s friends work on persuading the Prince to allow him to return to Verona. Romeo is upset at having to leave the city and Juliet but knows that at the moment he has no choice.Lord Capulet arranges Juliet’s marriage to Count Paris despite her refusal. Her other and nurse are unwilling to help her so she turns to the Friar who decides on a desperate plan. He gives Juliet a potion to drink the following night, which will make her appear dead for two days. The

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