Roméo et Juliette

Story

Act I

A masked ball is being held in the house of the noble Capulet family in Verona. Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, and Paris, who is betrothed to her, circulate among the guests. The master of the house arrives and introduces his daughter Juliet to the guests. Another group of young men arrives at the ball in disguise. Among them is Romeo, of the rival Montague family, and his friend Mercutio. Romeo, oppressed by ominous dreams, is not sure whether he should stay in this dangerous place. Mercutio gently mocks him and reminds him of the deceptive, lying nature of Mab, the queen of dreams. As soon as he sees Juliet, Romeo falls in love with her. The nurse Gertrude praises Paris’s good qualities to Juliet, but she does not feel ready for marriage and fears suffering for love. Romeo is alone with Juliet and tells her of his intense feelings, but his identity is discovered by Tybalt. Romeo walks away, while Juliet’s father calms Tybalt and urges his guests to go on dancing.

Act II

It is night. Assisted by his page Stephen, Romeo furtively enters the Capulets’ garden, gazes at the lighted window of Juliet’s room, praising her beauty. Juliet appears at the balcony and declares her reciprocal love. Their meeting is interrupted by Gregory and some other Capulet valets who suspect the presence of an intruder. Gertrude puts them off the scent. The two lovers return to their amorous exchange and both vow eternal love. Romeo goes off, tenderly wishing his beloved good night.

Act III

First scene. Romeo goes to Friar Laurence, followed by Juliet with her nurse Gertrude. The young couple ask him to marry them. The friar accepts in the hope that their love may help quell the ancient family hatred. After the ceremony, Juliet goes off with her nurse expecting to see her beloved that same evening.

Second scene. On the street outside the Capulets’ house, Romeo’s page, Stephen, is looking for his master and tells the story of a turtle-dove that will soon flee its nest for love. This obvious allusion to Juliet’s story arouses the anger of the Capulets. Gregory, accompanied by some other valets, challenges Stephen to a duel. Mercutio steps in to assist the page and at that point Tybalt also joins the fray. Romeo arrives on the scene and tries to restore peace, inspired by love and heedless of the accusations of cowardice hurled at him by the Capulets. But his pleas fall on deaf ears. Tybalt kills Mercutio and Romeo reacts by killing Tybalt who, on the verge of death, asks Juliet’s father to hasten her marriage to Paris. The Duke of Verona, who witnessed the last part of the quarrel, acknowledges the insoluble dispute that divides the families and banishes Romeo from Verona, ordering him to leave the city that same evening.

Act IV 

First scene. It is night. Juliet is in her room and forgives Romeo for killing her cousin in legitimate defence. The young couple greet each other. At the break of day Romeo has to leave Verona. Juliet remains alone and steels herself to face up to the test.

Second scene. Immediately after Romeo has left, Capulet arrives with Friar Laurence to arrange the wedding of Juliet and Paris. When he is alone, the friar tells his charge of his plan. She must take a drug that he has prepared so that everyone will think her dead. When she then reawakens the day after, she will be able to flee with Romeo. The girl accepts the idea and takes the draft. The wedding ceremony begins but Juliet fails to appear, to general dismay.

Act V 

As no one has been able to infor Romeo of the plan, he thinks Juliet really is dead. He goes to the crypt where the Capulets are buried and in desperation at the sight of his beloved lying lifeless but still beautiful, he drinks a deadly poison just before she wakes up. The young couple manage to recognise one another and declare their eternal, mutual love, before Juliet kills herself with a dagger so she will always be united to Romeo.