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A group of people sitting in a circle reading scripts in a room with blue curtains and a small stage.
Group of people sitting in a room with a stage and maroon curtain in the background. One young woman is smiling and pointing, others are engaged in conversation.
Group of people sitting in a circle, reading or discussing papers in a room.

Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's most famous and much loved play plot summary

In Verona, Italy, two noble families—the Montagues and the Capulets—are locked in a violent, long-standing feud. 

  • Forbidden Love: Romeo (a Montague) gatecrashes a Capulet party and falls instantly in love with Juliet (a Capulet). They declare their love during the famous "balcony scene" and are secretly married the next day by Friar Laurence, who hopes their union will bring peace.
  • A Turning Point: Shortly after the wedding, Juliet’s cousin Tybalt kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio in a street fight. A devastated Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge and is banished from Verona by the Prince.
  • The Tragic Plan: Juliet’s father, unaware of her marriage, orders her to marry Count Paris. To escape, Juliet drinks a potion from Friar Laurence that makes her appear dead for 42 hours.
  • The Misunderstanding: Romeo never receives the message explaining the plan. Believing Juliet is truly dead, he travels to her tomb and drinks poison to die by her side.
  • The Final Act: Juliet wakes to find Romeo’s corpse and kills herself with his dagger. Witnessing the tragic deaths of their children, the two families finally agree to end their feud.