Romeo and Juliet

Great link for review and games

Vocabulary

2022 List

Comedy: ends happily
Tragedy: ends with death/sadness
Dialogue: Speech between characters
Monologue: long speech by a character to another character
Soliloquy: a speech usually given when the character is alone that expresses (to the audience) that character’s inner thoughts/feelings.
Aside: a “whisper” on stage usually intended only for the audience to hear
Comic relief: a humorous scene, incident, or speech that relieves the overall emotional intensity
Pernicious - causing great injury or ruin
Augmenting - increasing; enlarging
Grievance - injustice; complaint
Transgression - wrongdoing; sin
Heretics - those who hold a belief opposed to the established teachings of a church.

Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary List 2

1. chided (v)- criticized; scolded

2. confounds (v)- confuses; obscures

3. conjure (v)- call up; summon

4. discourses (v)- talks; speaks

5. driveling (n)- chattering; jabbering

6. idolatry (n)- worship; adoration

7. impute (v)- blame; attribute

8. intercession (n)- a favor; intervention

9. lamentable (adj)- unfortunate; regrettable

10. perjuries (n)- lies; swearing to what is untrue

11. rancor (n)- hatred; hostility

12. repose (n)- calmness; peacefulness

13. sallow (adj)- sickly; pale

Romeo and Juliet Vocab - List 3 (Act III Words)

Brawl - quarrel or fight noisily, angrily or disruptively
And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl;
Apt - being of striking appropriateness and relevance
An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.
Discord - lack of agreement or harmony
Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall
make you dance.
Vile - morally reprehensible
O calm, dishonorable, vile submission!
Braggart - a very boastful and talkative person
'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death! a braggart, a rogue, a villain, that fights by the book of arithmetic!
Ally - a friendly nation
This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
Slander - words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
With Tybalt's slander,--Tybalt, that an hour
Stout - having rugged physical strength
Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled;
Exile - the act of expelling a person from their native land
Immediately we do exile him hence:
Repent - feel sorry for; be contrite about
That you shall all repent the loss of mine:
Matron - a married woman who is staid and dignified
Thou sober-suited matron, all in black,
Banish - expel, kick out/remove as if by official decree
Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished;
Tyrant - a cruel and oppressive dictator
Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical!

Romeo and Juliet Vocabulary - List 4 (Act V Words)

Apothecary - a health professional trained in the art of preparing drugs
Poverty - the state of having little or no money and possessions
Infectious - easily spread
Aloof - distant, cold, or detached in manner
Approach - come near or verge on
Strew - spread by scattering
Intend - have in mind as a purpose
Intent - an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
Condemn - demonstrate the guilt of (someone)
Noble - having high or elevated character
Slaughter - kill, usually for food consumption

Weary - physically and mentally fatigued

Act 1 list

1. adversary (n)- enemy

2. augmenting (v)- adding to; enlarging

3. deformities (n)- irregularities; disfigurements

4. discreet (adj)- showing good judgment; perceptive

5. disparagement (n)- criticism

6. nuptial (n)- marriage; wedding

7. obscured (adj)- hidden; darkened

8. pernicious (adj)- harmful; destructive

9. portentous (adj)- ominous; threatening

10. posterity (n)- future generations

11. prodigious (adj)- terrible; extraordinary

12. profane (v)- dishonor; make impure

13. propagate (v)- reproduce; increase

14. purged (v)- got rid of; expelled

Act III List

Civil - well-mannered; proper

Confines - interior; insides

Dexterity - skill; proficiency

Digressing - getting off the main topic; deviating

Dismembered - took apart; split

Eloquence - expressiveness; verbal facility

Garish - gaudy; showy

Jocund - cheerful; happy

Martial - military; soldierly

Monarch - royalty, a king, queen, or emperor

Plague - disease; hex

Prevails - controls; dominates

Reconcile - make peace among

Renowned - famous, well-known

Usurer - swindler, extortionist

Act 4 List

Arbitrating
Culled
Distraught
Entreat
Immoderately
Inundation
Pensive
Prostrate
Resolution
Solace
Spited
Surcease
Supple

Act 5 List

Abhorred
Apprehend
Canopy
Contempt
Disperse
Inexorable
Interred
Penury
Presage
Remnants
Righteous
Steeped
Wretchedness

1st : Course Hero - Prologue and Act 1, Scene 1 & Act 1, Scene 2
Course Hero, Act 1, Scene 3 Scene 4 (summary video)

Background Info (PPT)

https://www.k12reader.com/worksheet/find-the-main-idea-romeo-and-juliet/

Study packet http://www.jd.mps-al.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_396542/File/For%20Students/Forms/Teacher/Romeo_Juliet_Packet.pdf

Study packet 2 http://cincoenglish.weebly.com/uploads/5/1/7/3/51735859/romeo_and_juliet_2015.pdf

Study packet 3 http://www.pleasantoneducation.org/uploads/2/8/6/0/2860508/randjstudypacket.pdf

Study packet 4 https://www.hinds.k12.ms.us/cms/lib07/MS01001020/Centricity/Domain/131/romeo%20and%20juliet%20student%20packet.pdf

Letter to Romeo or Juliet
Write a letter form the Montagues to Romeo, or the Capulets to Juliet, expressing their disappointment in their son’s or daughter’s decision to elope with one of the enemies of the family. The letter must state the parents point of view, the reasons for their disappointment, and their solution to the predicament.

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet

Romeo & Juliet Literary Terms

Comedy: ends happily

Tragedy: ends with death/sadness

Dialogue: Speech between characters

Monologue: long speech by a character to another character

Soliloquy: a speech usually given when the character is alone that expresses (to the audience) that character’s inner thoughts/feelings.

Aside: a “whisper” on stage usually intended only for the audience to hear

Comic relief: a humorous scene, incident, or speech that relieves the overall emotional intensity

Simile: comparison using like/as

Metaphor: comparison that does NOT use like or as but instead compares directly.

Paradox: a seemingly contradictory statement that expresses a truth

Foreshadowing: hints or clues of what is to come

Foil: two characters whose opposite features highlight strengths and weaknesses in one another. EX: Atticus and Bob Ewell

Verbal Irony: when a character (sarcastically) says the opposite of what she/he really means.

Dramatic Irony: when a character does not know information that the audience does

Situational Irony: An event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters, reader, or audience.

Pun: A play on words. Ex: I tried to catch some fog. I mist.

Tragic Hero: the hero in a tragedy whose end is a result of something negative that they do

Tragic Flaw: the one major character defect in the tragic hero’s personality

Act I: Includes the exposition, the exciting force, and introduction of conflict

This is what gets the action going which is why it is referred to as the exciting force or trigger incident. All the information needed to understand the circumstances of the play are provided.

Act II: Develops the rising action

The series of events which lead up to the climax of the play comprise the rising action. These events provide a progressive intensity of interest for the audience. The rising action develops over several scenes of the play. All the action has been developed and any secondary plots (subplots) are well underway.

Act III: Continues to develop the rising action and always contains the climax

This act includes the turning point of the play. The most serious conflicts have been addressed. From this point on, the Shakespearean hero moves to his/ her inevitable end.

Act IV: Falling action begins

This act covers events occurring from the time of the climax up to the hero’s death. The episodes will show both advances and declines in various forces acting upon the hero. Like the rising action, the falling action will involve events across many scenes and into Act V.

Act V Falling action ends and the conclusion occurs

This act focuses on developing the consequences that are a natural outcome of the hero’s previous actions which must be the hero’s death. The catastrophe will characteristically be simple and brief.

Romeo and Juliet Questions - Prologue and Act I

PROLOGUE

1. What city is used as the setting of the story?

2. What is the role of the chorus?

3. Which two families have been feuding for decades? Why?

ACT I

4. Who is involved in the quarrel in the beginning of Act 1 scene 1?

5. What final order does Prince Escalus give Lord Montague and Lord Capulet?

6. Describe Benvolio. 7. How does Benvolio describe Tybalt?

8. Describe Romeo’s recent behavior.

9. How does Romeo describe Rosaline?

10. What is Benvolio’s advice to Romeo?

11. Who is Paris? What does he ask of Lord Capulet?

12. What is Juliet’s current age?

13. What advice does Lord Capulet give Paris in regards to Juliet?

14. Why does Benvolio encourage Romeo to attend the Capulet ball?

15. Describe the relationship between Juliet and her nurse

16. What impression has Juliet made on Romeo when he sees her across the room?

17. Who objects to Romeo’s presence at the party?

18. When Romeo and Juliet discover the identity of each other, what are their reactions?

Who said it? Name that Quote (find the quote in the green textbook)

Page 773 - “Part, fools! Put up your swords. You know not what you do.” ___________________

Page 783 - “Well, think of marriage now. Younger than you, Here in Verona, ladies of esteem, are made already mothers.” ___________________

Page 783 - “I’ll look to like if looking liking move.” ___________________

Page 788 - “Tis he, that villain Romeo.” ___________________

Page 790 - “Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe’s debt.” ___________________

Page 791 - “My only love, sprung from my only hate!” ___________________

Evaluate: Based on Romeo’s behavior in Act I, do you think Shakespeare accurately portrays a teenager in love? Explain _________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Romeo and Juliet Act II Notes

What is Romeo doing at the beginning of Act 2?

What happened to Romeo’s love for Rosaline?

What happens in the well known balcony scene in Scene 2?

At the beginning of Scene 3, what is Friar Lawrence doing?

What uneasy feeling does Friar Lawrence have?

Why does Friar Lawrence agree to perform the wedding?

When is the wedding supposed to take place?

How does Mercutio treat the nurse?

What’s the purpose of Tybalt’s note to Romeo?

What’s Juliet’s mood as Scene 5 opens?

Quotes - Who said it?

Scene 1 (pg 796) - “Come, he hath hid himself among these trees . . “________________

Scene II (pg 797)- “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.” __________________________

Scene II (pg 802) - “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” _______________________

Scene III (pg 804)- “Holy Saint Francis! What a change is here!” __________________

Scene IV (page 809)- “Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find young Romeo?” ______________________________

Act III Notes and Quotes

Why does Romeo not want to fight Tybalt? _____________________________________

Who kills Mercutio? How does Mercutio die? ____________________________________

What does Mercutio wish on “both houses”? ____________________________________

Who kills Tybalt? Why? _____________________________________

Who demands justice for Tybalt’s death? _____________________________________

What does the Prince decide about Romeo’s fate? _______________________________

How does Juliet find out about Tybalt’s death? __________________________________

What is the significance of the rope? _____________________________________

What does Lord/Lady Capulet tell Juliet (thinking it would cheer her up)? __________ _____________________________________

What’s Lord Cauplet’s reaction to Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris? ____________________

How does the relationship between Juliet and her nurse change? ___________________

Quotes - Who said it?

“I am hurt. A plague o’ both your houses!” _____________________________

“Romeo, away be gone!” The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.” ____________________

“Romeo slew Tybalt. Romeo must not live.” _____________________________

“O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had!” _____________________________

“Wash they his wounds with tears? Mine shell be spent when theirs are dry, for Romeo’s banishment.” _____________________________

Act IV Notes and Quotes

What’s ironic about Juliet and Paris’ conversation? _______________________________

If Friar Lawrence won’t help her, what does Juliet threaten to do? ____________________

What happens between Juliet and her mother and father? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________

What does Juliet say to her father that makes him happy? _________________________

What is the Friar’s plan for Juliet and for informing Romeo? ________________________

________________________________________________________________________

What does Juliet take? How does it affect her? __________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Who finds Juliet “dead”? ___________________________________________________

What is Capulet’s reaction? _________________________________________________

Quotes - Who said it?

Pg 845 - “You say you do not know the lady’s mind. Uneven is the course; I like it not.” ________________________

Pg 848 - “Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear!” _____________________________

Pg 853- “Why, love, I say! Madam, Sweetheart! Why, bride!” ______________________

Pg 854 - “O me, O me! My child, my only life! Revive, look up, or I will die with thee!” ____________________________________

Modified Version of R&J

Romeo and Juliet Cast

Montagues:

Romeo –

Benvolio –

Lady Montague –

Lord Montague -

Gregory –

Sampson-

Capulets:

Juliet –

Tybalt –

Lord Capulet –

Lady Capulet –

Nurse –

Abraham –

Peter –

Citizens of Verona:

Prince -

Paris -

Friar Lawrence –

Apothecary –

Brother John –

Balthasar -

Prologue-

Mercutio –

ACT 1 SCENE 1

PROLOGUE

Our scene is set in the town of Verona,

where two families, both dignified and respected

have been fighting for years.

The younger members of these families

have carried on the war and things are getting worse.

Among these young rivals are the only children of the heads of the families.

They are destined to be star-crossed lovers

And our stage is set to tell their tale of sadness,

As only their deaths can end this awful war.

ACT 1 SCENE 1

(Enter Sampson and Benvolio and Gregory. Sampson and Benvolio are laughing and chatting, but Gregory is wandering about looking on edge)

GREGORY

Draw your swords! Here comes

two of the house of the Capulets!

SAMPSON

If they want a fight, let them start it.

GREGORY

I am going to give them some evil looks, see how they like that!

(Enter ABRAHAM and TYBALT. Tybalt stands looking moody by the side of the stage, he hasn’t seen the Montagues, but ABRAHAM sees Gregory giving him funny looks.)

ABRAHAM

What’s your problem?

GREGORY

Nothing, what’s your problem?

ABRAHAM

Why are you giving me dirty looks?

GREGORY

Are you starting something?

ABRAHAM

Starting something? ME? Wouldn’t waste my time on you!

GREGORY

Oh yeah? Well at least my boss isn’t an idiot like yours!

ABRAHAM

Right, that’s it! I’ve had enough of you!

GREGORY

Well come on then! Let's have a look at you!

(They fight)

BENVOLIO

Part, fools!

Put your swords down! What are you doing?

(Beats down their swords

TYBALT comes over)

TYBALT

I’m not surprised to see you messing about with these silly kids, come on then let’s have a real fight!

BENVOLIO

I am trying to stop them! Either get lost or come and help me!

TYBALT

Hang on! So you have your sword out but you’re not fighting? Yeah right! I hate all the Montagues, especially you, what a coward! Come on then!

(They fight)

(Enter, Lady Montague, Lord and Lady Capulet, Prince and the nurse.)

LORD CAPULET

What's going on? Montagues! Let me at them!!

LADY CAPULET

Don’t be stupid!

LORD CAPULET

Get out of the way! Look! There is Lady Montague! She has got her sword out! How dare she!

LADY MONTAGUE

That villain Capulet! Don’t hold me! Let me go!

BENVOLIO

Not a chance! Don’t get involved!

PRINCE

STOP! Stop it all of you!

I have had enough of this!

I am your Prince and you will listen to me!

This old argument between you has got to stop.

There will be no more fighting,

On pain of death!

I mean it! I will show no mercy to the next person

Caught fighting in these streets.

Now go home, all of you!

(Exit all but LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO)

LADY MONTAGUE

Nephew, what went on here? Who started the fight?

BENVOLIO

A couple of the young servants were having a scrap,

But then Tybalt arrived and made it all ten times worse!

LADY MONTAGUE

Where is Romeo? Have you seen him today?

I am so glad he wasn’t fighting.

BENVOLIO

I saw him earlier but he looked really upset,

And he legged it when he saw me coming.

LADY MONTAGUE

He has been really down these last few days.

He has been shutting himself away in his room.

I’m getting worried about him.

BENVOLIO

Any ideas what might be up with him, Aunt?

LADY MONTAGUE

No. I have tried to speak to him,

But he won’t say a thing!

(Enter ROMEO)

BENVOLIO

Here he comes now! I will have a word with him.

LADY MONTAGUE

OK I will go home.

(Exit LADY MONTAGUE)

BENVOLIO

Cousin Romeo! You seem really down lately.

What’s up, mate?

ROMEO

Well….nothing, I am just…missing something…

BENVOLIO

Something or someone? Are you in love?

ROMEO

More like out of love, she’s not interested.

BENVOLIO

Sorry to hear that. Plenty more fish in the sea though!

ROMEO

Not for me. I think she was the one.

She was so beautiful, and clever, and funny.

BENVOLIO

Oh come on mate, if she’s not interested,

Then she’s not interested!

Bet there are loads of girls better than her anyway!

ROMEO

Oh what do you know? Just leave me alone!

(ROMEO exits. BENVOLIO follows shaking his head.)

ACT 1 SCENE 2

(Enter CAPULET and PARIS)

PARIS

Lord Capulet I was wondering if you had

Thought anymore about me wanting to marry your daughter?

CAPULET

My daughter is still very young, I’m not sure she is ready to be married yet, give it a couple of years eh?

PARIS

I have seen younger girls than her be happily married!

CAPULET

Yeah but those marriages don’t always work out!

Besides, I want her to marry someone she can love,

So take some time, see if she likes you

And we will see.

Look, I’m having a fancy dress party tonight,

why don’t you come?

You can spend some time with Juliet,

And see how you get on?

(PARIS nods and they walk off. Enter BENVOLIO and ROMEO)

BENVOLIO

Did you hear that Romeo? A fancy dress party! That would be just the thing to take your mind of this girl! They won’t know it’s us cos we will be all dressed up, bet there will be loads of gorgeous girls there for you to meet!

ROMEO

I don’t think so…..

BENVOLIO

Oh come on! Please?

ROMEO

Oh alright then! But don’t hold your breath, no-one can possibly be as gorgeous as her!

(ROMEO AND BENVOLIO exit.)

ACT 1 SCENE 3

(Enter LADY CAPULET and Nurse)

LADY CAPULET

Nurse, where's my daughter?

NURSE

Well! I did call her! Where can she be? JULIET!!??? JULIET!!

(Enter JULIET)

JULIET

What?! Who wants me?

NURSE

Your mother

JULIET

Well, here I am. What do you want?

LADY CAPULET

Well…how old are you Juliet?

NURSE

OOooh! She is fourteen! I can tell you how old she is to the hour!!

Oh such a pretty baby she was!! And so funny! I remember this time when…

LADY CAPULET

Oh will you please be quiet!!

NURSE

It was a really funny story though! See, she must have been about three and…

JULIET

Oh nurse! Please be quiet!!

NURSE

Alright, alright!

LADY CAPULET

Tell me Juliet,

What do you think about getting married?

JULIET

I haven’t really thought about it.

LADY CAPULET

Well, think about it now.

There are other girls your age happily married,

And there is a young nobleman called Paris

Who’d like you to be his wife!

NURSE

WOO WEE!! He is so gorgeous!!

LADY CAPULET

He is quite handsome, yes.

So what do you think Juliet?

He is coming to the party tonight.

It would be great if you did like him.

What do you think?

JULIET

Well, I will see what I think.

LADY CAPULET

Your father and I think this would be a good marriage

So make sure you try your best to like him!

Ooh that’s the doorbell, the guests must be arriving.

Come on!

(Exit LADY CAPULET, JULIET and NURSE)

ACT 1 SCENE 4

(Enter ROMEO, MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO)

MERCUTIO

I am so up for a party!! Hey Romeo! Going to join me in some dancing tonight? See if we can get you moving?

ROMEO

Not me, I am too depressed. I think I will just watch.

MERCUTIO

Oh come off it! Cheer up and BOOGIE!!

(MERCUTIO dances around.)

ROMEO

I don’t think coming to a Capulet party is a very good idea.

I have got a bad feeling about this.

BENVOLIO

Come on you two hurry up! We will miss the party at this rate!

ROMEO

I wish we would miss it.

I have a feeling that something is going to happen tonight.

But maybe you are right, come on let's go in.

MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO

Yeah! Come on, let's go have a party!!!

(They all exit.)

ACT 1 SCENE 5

(Enter CAPULET, with JULIET and others of his house, meeting the Guests and Maskers)

CAPULET

Welcome all! We will have dancing and music tonight!

(Music plays, and they dance)

ROMEO

Who is that girl over there?

BENVOLIO

No idea!

ROMEO

She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen!

She is brighter than a flame, more precious than a diamond. She makes all the other girls here look so ugly!

I can’t believe I thought I was in love before,

Now I have seen her, I know what true love is.

TYBALT

That sounds like a Montague!

You! Quick, get me my sword!

How dare he come to OUR party like this!!

I am going to kill him!

LORD CAPULET

Hey Tybalt! What is the matter? Where are you going with that sword?

TYBALT

Uncle, this is a Montague, our enemy!

He has come to ruin our party!

LORD CAPULET

Young Romeo, is it?

TYBALT

Yes!

CAPULET

Leave him alone.

I have heard that he is good lad,

I will not allow him to be hurt in my house.

Now come on, this is a party!

TYBALT

I will not leave him alone!

CAPULET

Oh yes you will!

This is my house, and what I say goes!

TYBALT

You have GOT to be joking!!

CAPULET

I am not joking, now stop this!

People are looking and you are spoiling the party!

Come on everyone! Lets dance!

TYBALT

OK, I will leave him alone tonight,

But I won’t forget this!

(Exit TYBALT)

ROMEO

I know that I am not worthy to touch your hand

but would you dance with me?

JULIET

You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself.

Of course I will dance with you.

ROMEO

If I am good enough to dance with you,

Am I good enough to kiss you?

JULIET

I think you are.

(They kiss)

NURSE

JULIET! Your Mother wants to speak to you!

(JULIET leaves)

ROMEO

Who is her mother?

NURSE

Well, well! Her mother is Lady Capulet.

ROMEO

She is a Capulet? Oh no!

BENVOLIO

Let's get out of here.

CAPULET

Leaving already? My word, it is quite late!

Well then off to bed!

(Exeunt all but JULIET and Nurse)

JULIET

Come here quick! Who is that?

NURSE

I don’t know.

JULIET

Go ask his name.

NURSE

His name is Romeo, and a Montague;

The only son of your great enemy.

JULIET

My only love sprung from my only hate!

NURSE

What?!

JULIET

Oh nothing, forget I spoke. Come on, let's go to bed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACT 2 SCENE 1

(Enter ROMEO)

ROMEO

How can I go home without seeing her again?

(He climbs the wall, and leaps down within it)

(Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO)

BENVOLIO

Romeo! my cousin Romeo!

MERCUTIO

I reckon he has gone home to bed. Oh Romeo! Romeo!

You miserable so and so! You pathetic, girly, love sick puppy!

BENVOLIO

Well, it’s pointless looking for him now

If he heard you he will just be annoyed!

Come on let's go home!

(Exit BENVOLIO AND MERCUTIO)

ACT 2 SCENE 2

(Enter ROMEO)

ROMEO

It’s alright for him to laugh!

He has never been in love!

(JULIET appears above at a window)

ROMEO

Oh! Look! There is Juliet! She is like the sun.

Oh she is my love! I wish she knew how I felt.

Her eyes are like stars.

Should I speak to her?

Look she rests her hand on her face,

I wish that I could stroke her cheek.

JULIET

Oh dear.

ROMEO

She speaks:

O, speak again, bright angel!

JULIET

O Romeo, Romeo! Why do you have to be a Montague?

Leave your family and change your name,

And if you won’t just tell me you love me,

And I will not longer be a Capulet!

ROMEO

Shall I listen more or shall I speak?

JULIET

It’s only your name that is my enemy

If your name was Smith or Jones

you would still be that same wonderful, handsome Romeo

So please, change your name and be mine forever.

ROMEO

I believe what you say is true,

Just let me be your love

And I will change my name!

JULIET

Who is there? Who is listening to me?!

ROMEO

I do not want to speak my name as you hate it so much.

JULIET

I have only heard you speak a few words before

But I know your voice! Romeo! How did you get in here?

If any of my family find you they will kill you!

ROMEO

I climbed the walls,

Nothing could keep me away from you!

JULIET

But if they see you they will kill you!

ROMEO

I am more afraid that you will say you don’t love me

Than I am that they will find me! Besides, it is so dark

No-one will find me here.

Tell me, did you mean what I heard you say?

Do you love me?

JULIET

I am so embarrassed that you heard what I said!

Do you love me?

No wait, don’t answer, I think that you will say yes

But I need to know if you really mean it.

Do you love me?

ROMEO

Juliet, I swear I love you and if you love me too then…

JULIET

No do not say anymore!

This is all too sudden! My head is spinning!

I must go.

When we see each other again we will know if this is real.

Good night, good night!

ROMEO

Don’t go! Tell me you love me too.

JULIET

I already have!

NURSE calls within

Juliet!!

JULIET

Someone is coming! Good night my love!

NURSE

JULIET!!!

JULIET

I’m coming!! Wait here, I will be back!

(Juliet Exit)

ROMEO

Is this all a dream? It is too good to be true!

(Re-enter JULIET)

JULIET

Romeo, if you mean what you say

Then marry me tomorrow.

Nurse

JULIET!!!

JULIET

I’m coming!

What do you say?

I will send a messenger to you tomorrow

To hear your answer.

Good night!

(Exit Juliet)

ROMEO

I will miss you so much.

(Re-enter JULIET, above)

JULIET

Pssst! Romeo!

ROMEO

Yes love?

JULIET

What time tomorrow shall I send my messenger?

ROMEO

Nine am.

JULIET

It feels like twenty years until then.

Good night!

ROMEO

I must go and see Father Lawrence,

Explain what has happened and see if he will marry us!

(Exit.)

ACT 2 SCENE 3

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE)

FRIAR LAURENCE

It is so early!

I must get to work though, making my potions and cures.

I know how to brew a cure for nearly all illness

And I know the poisons that grow beside them.

(Enter ROMEO)

ROMEO

Good morning, father.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Bless me! It is young Romeo!

You are up early, but looking at you again,

I wonder, have you even been to bed?

ROMEO

I have not been to bed Father.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Where have you been, then?

ROMEO

I have been at the Capulet’s house,

they had a party last night.

I met someone, we are in love

And we need your help.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who are you in love with now?

I take it is not the same girl as last week,

The one who wasn’t interested?

ROMEO

No, not her, she is an ugly crow

Compared to the one I love now.

Her name is Juliet,

And she is the daughter of Lord Capulet.

She loves me too.

We want you to marry us today.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Holy Saint Francis!

You only just met!

You have been crying over some other girl for weeks!

ROMEO

Don’t say that!

Juliet loves me and I love her!

So will you marry us?

FRIAR LAURENCE

Well, I think it is very quick,

I hope that you won’t regret this choice.

But if you two get married

It might stop the fighting between your families.

I will help you. Lets go.

(Exit)

ACT 2 SCENE 4

(Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO)

MERCUTIO

Where is Romeo? Did he come home last night?

BENVOLIO

No he didn’t. Listen to this though, You know Tybalt? He has sent a challenge to Romeo to come and fight him!

MERCUTIO

Do you think Romeo will fight him?

BENVOLIO

Yeah and he will win!

MERCUTIO

If he can stop daydreaming

over this mystery girl for long enough!

Tybalt is really hard,

I’m not sure if Romeo could take him in a fight.

(Enter ROMEO)

BENVOLIO

Here comes Romeo.

MERCUTIO

Where have you been?

We spent ages looking for you last night!

ROMEO

Morning boys!

MERCUTIO

Is that all you have got to say for yourself?!

ROMEO

I am sorry Mercutio.

I had something to do.

MERCUTIO

We are supposed to be your best mates

and you go all gooey over some girl and run off!

ROMEO

Who is this?

(Enter NURSE and PETER)

MERCUTIO

What does she look like!!

NURSE

Hello boys! I am looking for Romeo of the Montagues.

Do you know him?

ROMEO

I am Romeo.

NURSE

I need a private word with you.

BENVOLIO

Oooh Romeo has a date!!

MERCUTIO

Hey Romeo, is this the secret girlfriend?!

ROMEO

Come on.

MERCUTIO

Goodbye gorgeous!

(Exit MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO)

NURSE

WELL! He was a cheeky so and so! And you Peter!

Why didn’t you defend me?

PETER

He was only joking!

ROMEO

Just ignore Mercutio.

NURSE

Ohh I am so CROSS!

I can hardly remember why I am here!

Oh yes! My lady Juliet sent me to you.

ROMEO

Juliet!

NURSE

She has told me about your plans

And I just want to say that if you have changed your mind, or if you hurt her

Then you will have to answer to me!

ROMEO

I would never hurt her.

Tell her that we are to be married at three o’clock

In Friar Lawrence’s church.

NURSE

Oh! She will be so happy! Come on Peter!

PETER

Yes madam.

(Exit)

ACT 2 SCENE 5

(Enter JULIET)

JULIET

The nurse has been gone for three hours now!

Maybe she couldn’t find Romeo?

Oh the time is dragging so slowly!

Here she comes!!

(Enter NURSE)

JULIET

O my dearest nurse, what news?

Have you seen Romeo? What did he say?

NURSE

I am so tired! What a morning!!

JULIET

Nurse, what did Romeo say?

NURSE

Hang on! Can’t you see I am out of breath?

JULIET

Is the news good or bad?

Just tell me that!

NURSE

Well, I can’t say I think much of your choice!

Romeo! He is alright I suppose but not all that handsome.

He does seem quite well spoken, and I suppose he does have nice eyes….

JULIET

NURSE! I know what he looks like!

What did he say about our wedding?!

NURSE

Oh I have such a headache!

JULIET

Oh dear, look nurse I am sorry that you are ill

But PLEASE tell me what he said!

NURSE

You are to be married at three o’clock today

At Friar Lawrence’s church. Ah! That has brought

Some colour to your face! Go girl, be happy!

JULIET

Thank you!

(Exit JULIET and NURSE)

ACT 3 SCENE 1

(Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO)

BENVOLIO

Come on Mercutio, let's go home.

There are Capulets everywhere

We are going to get into a fight!

MERCUTIO

Don’t be such a wimp.

BENVOLIO

Oh thanks! Great, here come the Capulets!

I told you!

MERCUTIO

Oh let them come! I don’t care!

(Enter TYBALT and others)

TYBALT

Alright lads? I want a word with you.

MERCUTIO

Just a word? Why not make it a word and a punch?

TYBALT

If you wind me up I will.

MERCUTIO

OOOOOHH! SCARY!!

(He pushes Tybalt)

BENVOLIO

Cut it out! You remember what the Prince said

He will kill anyone he finds fighting in the streets!

TYBALT

Mercutio, I know you hang out with that idiot Romeo,

I want him, not you.

MERCUTIO

Who are you calling an idiot?

You should take a look in a mirror

if you want to see the real idiot around here!

(Enter ROMEO)

TYBALT

Well look who it is!

Romeo, You are a villain.

ROMEO

I am no villain!

If you think that then you don’t know me at all.

Normally I would have you for calling me that

But I have a good reason not to fight you.

So goodbye.

TYBALT

You coward! You have insulted my family

By crashing our party.

Fight me!

ROMEO

No.

MERCUTIO

What!? Are you going to let him get away with that?

Tybalt, I will fight you!

TYBALT

What?

MERCUTIO

I will fight you,

Who do you think you are anyway?

Stupid Capulet!

TYBALT

Right, that’s it!

(They fight)

ROMEO

Stop! Benvolio help me!

(TYBALT under ROMEO's arm stabs MERCUTIO, and runs off with his followers)

MERCUTIO

I am hurt, fetch a doctor!

ROMEO

Come on, it can’t be that bad?

MERCUTIO

Oh no it’s just a scratch but it is enough. I am done for.

Why? Why did you hold me back?

It is your fault that I am hurt!

ROMEO

I thought I was doing the right thing.

MERCUTIO

Help me Benvolio!

A curse on all Capulets and Montagues!

It is because of your stupid fighting that I am dying!

(Exeunt MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO)

ROMEO

It’s all my fault.

Mercutio is one of my best friends,

But Tybalt is my new wife’s cousin!

What was I supposed to do?

(Re-enter BENVOLIO)

BENVOLIO

O Romeo Mercutio's dead!

And here comes Tybalt back again.

ROMEO

He has killed my friend!

I can’t let him get away again!

(Re-enter TYBALT)

ROMEO

Tybalt! Brave Mercutio is dead because of you,

But his soul is waiting above our heads

Either you or I must join him!

Now, let us see who it is to be!

(They fight and TYBALT falls)

BENVOLIO

Romeo, get out of here!

The Prince is coming!

ROMEO

What have I done?

BENVOLIO

RUN!

(Exit ROMEO

Enter PRINCE, LADY CAPULET)

PRINCE

What has happened here?

BENVOLIO

Tybalt killed Mercutio,

So Romeo killed Tybalt.

LADY CAPULET

Tybalt, my cousin! Prince, I demand revenge!

PRINCE

Benvolio, who began this fight?

BENVOLIO

Tybalt. He tried to fight Romeo,

But Romeo said no.

Tybalt fought and killed Mercutio,

And then came back again, looking again for Romeo

They fought and Romeo killed him.

LADY CAPULET

He is a Montague! You can’t believe him!

Romeo killed Tybalt! He must die!

PRINCE

For Romeo’s crime he will be exiled.

Never again to return to Verona.

(Exit)

ACT 3 SCENE 2

(Enter JULIET)

JULIET

I can’t wait until tonight, to see my Romeo again.

O, here comes my nurse. You look so upset! What has happened?

NURSE

Dead! Brave, good and true and now dead!

JULIET

What? Dead? My true love?

We only got married today?

Why? Why did this happen?

I can’t live without him!

NURSE

I wish that Romeo were dead!

JULIET

What? I don’t understand!

You just told me he WAS dead!

Tell me what is going on?

Is my Romeo dead or not?

NURSE

Tybalt is dead! He was killed,

Killed by Romeo and now Romeo is exiled,

Never again to return to Verona!

JULIET

O No! How could such a handsome face hide a killer?

Was I wrong to love him?

NURSE

A curse on Romeo!

JULIET

How dare you!

NURSE

How can you defend the man who killed your cousin?

JULIET

That man is my husband!

And he is banished?

Then will I never see him again?

NURSE

I know that he is hiding at Friar Lawrence’s church.

I will find him and bring him to you.

JULIET

So we can say our last goodbyes.

(Exit)

ACT 3 SCENE 3

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Romeo! Come out!

You are in so much trouble.

(Enter ROMEO)

ROMEO

What news?

What has the Prince decided?

Am I to be put to death?

FRIAR LAURENCE

The Prince has been merciful, you are not to die

But to leave Verona forever.

ROMEO

Away from Juliet? Forever?

I would rather die!

FRIAR LAURENCE

I am sure we can think of something.

ROMEO

No! I will not live without Juliet!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Don’t be so ungrateful!

Better to be sent away than to die!

(Knock at the door)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Romeo, hide!

ROMEO

No!

(Knocking)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Romeo! You will be taken away! HIDE!

(Knocking and ROMEO hides)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who is there? What do you want?

NURSE

I come from Lady Juliet.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Welcome, then.

(Enter Nurse)

NURSE

Where is my lady's lord, where's Romeo?

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hiding and very unhappy.

NURSE

Juliet too, she hasn’t stopped crying!

ROMEO! Stand up! Be a man, for Juliet you must be strong!

ROMEO

Nurse!

Nurse

Romeo!

ROMEO

How is Juliet?

Does she hate me for killing her cousin?

What does she say about me having to leave?

NURSE

O, she says nothing, sir, but cries and cries.

ROMEO

I hate myself for doing this to her!

I would be better dead!

(Draws his sword and points it at his own heart)

FRIAR LAURENCE

STOP! You foolish man!

Listen, Tybalt wanted to kill you,

but you killed him instead, that’s a good thing!

The law says you should have been killed for what you did,

Instead you are only sent away, that’s a good thing,

Juliet is alive and loves you still, again you should be happy

Not crying and moaning!

Go and see Juliet tonight,

but leave early in the morning for Mantua.

Live there, until we can find a good time

To tell everyone about your marriage,

Beg forgiveness of the prince and bring you back!

NURSE

You are so wise!

Romeo I will tell Juliet you are coming.

Here is a ring she asked me to give you.

ROMEO

Then she does still love me!

(NURSE Exit)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Go quickly, go to see Juliet!

Stay in Mantua and I will send a message to you

As soon as I can!

Farewell.

ROMEO

I am going to miss you.

I must go to Juliet!

(Exit)

ACT 3 SCENE 4

(Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and PARIS)

CAPULET

Tybalt’s death has meant that I have had not had time to speak to Juliet about your wedding.

PARIS

I understand, in times of sadness, there is no room for love.

Madam, good night: speak well of me to Juliet.

LADY CAPULET

I will, and I will know how she feels in the morning. To-night she is too sad about Tybalt.

CAPULET

Sir Paris, I will take a chance and tell you that Juliet does love you.

She is a good girl and normally does as I tell her.

Wife, go to Juliet and tell that Paris loves her

and that on Wednesday, no that is too soon, on Thursday, she will become his wife!

Will you be ready? Is this alright with you?

It won’t be a big do,

not with Tybalt being only just killed,

people might think we are being disrespectful!

So what do you think to Thursday then?

PARIS

My lord, I wish that Thursday was tomorrow!

CAPULET

Fantastic! Thursday it is then! See you then!

Wife, go to Juliet and prepare her to be married!

Good night!

(Exit)

ACT 3 SCENE 5

(Enter ROMEO and JULIET)

JULIET

Do you have to go?

It’s not even nearly day.

I can still hear the nightingales singing!

ROMEO

It was the lark, singing of the coming of morning,

Not the nightingale: look, love,

The sun is rising!

I must be gone and live, or stay and die.

JULIET

That light is not the sun!

It could be a shooting star sent to light your journey,

So you don’t need to go yet!

ROMEO

Fine! My love, you are right

It is not the sun!

Let me be taken, let me die!

Juliet wishes it to be so!

JULIET

Oh it is the sun! It is!

Go Romeo go!

It is getting lighter and lighter now!

ROMEO

The more light there is the darker my heart grows!

(Enter Nurse, to the chamber)

NURSE

Madam!

JULIET

Nurse?

NURSE

Your mother is coming!

Day is breaking, look out!

(Exit)

JULIET

Then, window, let day in, and let life out.

ROMEO

Farewell, farewell! one kiss, and I'll go.

(He moves away)

JULIET

Are you still there my darling husband?

You must write to me every day.

It feels like forever until I can see you again.

ROMEO

Farewell!

I will write to you all the time.

JULIET

O do you think we shall ever meet again?

ROMEO

Of course my love, we will look back on this and laugh!

JULIET

O no, no.

I think I can see you in my mind,

And you are dead! How pale you look!

ROMEO

You look pale to me too,

It is only because we are sad to part.

I must go, goodbye!

(Exit)

JULIET

Hurry back to me.

(LADY CAPULET call from offstage)

LADY CAPULET

Daughter? Are you up?

JULIET

Is that my mother?

She is up early! I wonder why?

(Enter LADY CAPULET)

LADY CAPULET

Juliet! What’s wrong?

JULIET

I am not well.

LADY CAPULET

Still weeping for Tybalt?

Well, I suppose it shows how much you loved him,

But you must cheer up!

JULIET

I will cry, for as long as I feel my terrible loss.

LADY CAPULET

Well, shall I tell you some wonderful, joyful news?

JULIET

I could do with some joyful news!

What is it?

LADY CAPULET

Well, you are lucky to have a father who cares for you!

He has decided to cheer you up

by arranging a day of joy,

one that you will not expect,

and I had hardly dare hope would happen!

JULIET

Day of joy?

LADY CAPULET

Next Thursday morning,

The young, rich and handsome man,

Lord Paris, at Saint Peter's Church,

Shall happily make you a joyful bride!

JULIET

NO! By Saint Peter’s church!

He will not make me a joyful bride!

How can you expect me to get married so fast!?

I have hardly even met him!

Tell my father I will not marry Paris!

I will NEVER marry Paris, I hate him!

LADY CAPULET

Here comes your father; tell him so yourself,

And see how he takes it!

(Enter CAPULET and Nurse)

CAPULET

Still crying Juliet?

Have you not told her the good news?

LADY CAPULET

I have, but she says she will not marry him!

CAPULET

What? How dare she?

Is she not grateful for my hard work in finding her

So handsome and rich a husband?

Is she not proud that pathetic and unworthy as she is

That a Lord wants to marry her?

JULIET

How can I be proud or grateful for something I hate?

CAPULET

How dare you!

Who do you think you are?

Answering me back!

Arguing with my decision!

You will prepare yourself to be married on Thursday

If I have drag you there, you will go!

You ugly, ungrateful, rude disobedient child!

LADY CAPULET

Stop! Stop have you gone mad!?

JULIET

Father, I beg you on my knees, please listen!

CAPULET

No! You disgusting, disobedient child!

Get off me!

You will get yourself to church on Thursday

Or never after can you be my daughter,

You can starve in the streets for all I care!

Do as I say!

I wish that you had never been born!

NURSE

My Lord! Stop shouting at her like that!

CAPULET

Get out nurse!

NURSE

I haven’t said anything wrong!

CAPULET

Shut up you mumbling old fool!

LADY CAPULET

Calm down!

CAPULET

It makes me so angry!

I have been working for years to find her a husband!

A Lord, handsome, rich, a real catch!

And she cries and whines,

She says “I will not love! I am too young!”

No! I will not be made to look a fool.

I mean what I say; you will do as I command

Or you will starve, beg in the streets,

Die for all I care!!

You will be married on Thursday!

(Exit)

JULIET

Will no-one listen to me?

Mother! Don’t send me away!

Don’t make me marry Paris!

LADY CAPULET

Don’t speak to me!

I have had enough of you!

(Exit)

JULIET

Oh Nurse! What can we do?

I am married to Romeo!

Please Nurse, help me!

Comfort me!

NURSE

Well, here’s what I think.

Romeo is sent away for ever, he may never return!

I think it best you married Paris.

Oh Juliet, Paris is so handsome and rich,

He is so much better than Romeo!

I think you are lucky to have a second marriage,

It is so much better than your first,

And anyway Romeo is as good as dead being so far away!

JULIET

Do you really mean that?

NURSE

I do.

JULIET

Then there is the end.

NURSE

What?

JULIET

Well, I feel so much better now!

Go to my Father, tell him I am sorry

And that I have gone to see Father Laurence

To pray for forgiveness.

NURSE

I will. Good for you!

(Exit)

JULIET

You old hag!

How could you say such things to me!

From now on you and I are finished.

I will go and see Friar Laurence see if he can help me!

(Exit)

ACT 4 SCENE 1

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and PARIS)

FRIAR LAURENCE

On Thursday, sir? That is not much time!

PARIS

Lord Capulet wants the wedding to be Thursday

And I am happy to go agree!

FRIAR LAURENCE

You say you are not sure how Juliet feels?

I don’t like the sound of this much.

PARIS

She is so upset over Tybalt,

Her father thinks that this will cheer her up.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Look sir, here is Juliet now.

(Enter JULIET)

PARIS

Hello! My lady and my wife!

JULIET

Not yet sir.

PARIS

On Thursday you will be!

JULIET

What must be shall be.

PARIS

Are you here to see Father Laurence?

JULIET

Yes.

PARIS

Will you tell him that you love me?

JULIET

If I do, I would rather say it when you are not here to listen.

PARIS

Then I will leave you!

(Exit)

JULIET

Oh shut the door!

Tell me what to do!

I can’t marry Paris!

FRIAR LAURENCE

I know! I know!

Things look so bad, but I do have an idea.

It is so risky though, and you will need to be very brave.

JULIET

I would rather jump of the highest bridge than marry Paris!

I would rather be thrown into a pit of snakes!

FRIAR LAURENCE

OK then this is what we shall do.

Go home, be very cheerful and happy.

Say that you have changed your mind

And that you will marry Paris.

Once you are in bed on Wednesday night

And everyone has left you,

Drink this.

Your skin will grow pale and cold,

You will not seem to breathe.

In the morning when they come to fetch you,

They will think that you are dead.

They will carry you to your family’s tomb.

After two days, you will wake up,

And I will send for Romeo to be there when you do

So that he can take you away with him.

Do you think that you are brave enough?

JULIET

Give it to me! I am not afraid!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Go then, do as I say.

I will write to Romeo.

(Exit)

ACT 4 SCENE 2

(Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, NURSE)

CAPULET

Here are the plans for the wedding,

The guest list and the menu.

I don’t know if we will be ready in time!

Where is Juliet?

NURSE

Gone to see Friar Laurence.

CAPULET

Maybe he can talk some sense into her.

NURSE

Here she comes now! She looks happy!

(Enter JULIET)

CAPULET

Juliet! How are you?

JULIET

I have come to say that I am sorry.

From now on I will do as you ask.

CAPULET

I am so pleased to hear that!

We will tell Paris.

JULIET

I have seen him today at Friar Laurence’s house,

And I showed him how I felt.

CAPULET

What fantastic news!

We owe so much thanks to Friar Laurence

For making you see sense!

JULIET

Nurse, will you come with me to my room

And help me choose a dress for my wedding?

(Exit JULIET and NURSE)

LADY CAPULET

We will never be ready for this wedding in time!

CAPULET

Don’t worry!

I will sort it all out,

You go and help the nurse with Juliet’s dress.

I am so happy to see Juliet back to her old self!

(Exit)

ACT 4 SCENE 3

(Enter JULIET and NURSE)

JULIET

Yes, that dress is lovely Nurse.

Will you leave me on my own tonight?

I need some time to myself before my big day.

(Enter LADY CAPULET)

LADY CAPULET

Do you need my help?

JULIET

No mother, we have found a lovely dress.

Why don’t you let the nurse look after you tonight

for a change?

I would like to be on my own for a while,

Tomorrow will be such a busy day.

There must be so many things to get ready,

Perhaps she could help?

LADY CAPULET

Good night Juliet,

Sleep well!

(Exit LADY CAPULET and NURSE)

JULIET

Goodbye. God knows when we shall meet again.

I am so scared of what I have to do now.

What if the potion doesn’t work?

Then I will end up getting married tomorrow!

Or even worse, what I wake up too early,

Before Romeo has come to get me

And I am in the grave surrounded with bones

And skulls and rats!

No, I mustn’t think about it!

Romeo, I drink to you!

(She falls upon her bed)

ACT 4 SCENE 4

(Enter LADY CAPULET, CAPULET and NURSE)

LADY CAPULET

Come here and take these for the tables,

And where is the wedding cake?

NURSE

They are just finishing the icing now!

CAPULET

Hurry, hurry! It is nearly nine!

Paris will be here soon!

(Music)

CAPULET

Nurse! Wife! Here is Paris now!

Go and get Juliet up, nurse, and get her dressed!

(Exit NURSE)

ACT 4 SCENE 5

(Enter NURSE)

NURSE

Juliet! Juliet! Oh bless her she is fast asleep!

Juliet! JULIET! Oh come on you lazy bones

It is your wedding day, you should be up and about!

Juliet!

Juliet? Why are you still dressed?

Juliet!!!! Oh she is as cold as ice!

Oh she’s dead! She’s dead!!

Oh Lady Capulet! Lord Capulet!!

(Enter LADY CAPULET)

LADY CAPULET

What’s all the noise?

NURSE

Oh no! Oh sad day!

LADY CAPULET

What is the matter?

NURSE

Look, look!

LADY CAPULET

Oh no! Oh no! My child! My life!

Oh wake up! WAKE UP!

Oh Nurse, call for help!

(Enter CAPULET)

CAPULET

Come on where is Juliet? Paris is waiting!

NURSE

She's dead! Oh sad day!

LADY CAPULET

She's dead, she's dead, she's dead!

CAPULET

Let me see her!

No, no she is dead.

Death lies on her lips like frost.

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and PARIS)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Is the bride ready to go to church?

CAPULET

She will go to church but not return!

She is dead. Oh Paris, death has stolen your wife!

PARIS

I have waited so long for today,

And this is what it brings!

LADY CAPULET

Accursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day!

This is the worst day of my life!

I had only one child and now she is gone.

NURSE

Oh this truly is the worst day ever known!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Dry up your tears, she is in heaven now.

Cover her in flowers and take her to church.

She will be laid to rest in your great monument.

CAPULET

Cancel all the wedding plans and where there

Was light and joy and colour let there be black.

(Exit)

ACT 5 SCENE 1

(Enter ROMEO)

ROMEO

I had a dream that I would get some good news today!

A dream that Juliet found me dead,

But kissed me back to life!

(Enter BALTHASAR)

ROMEO

Ah! News from Verona!

Do you have letters for me? From Friar Laurence?

How is my Father?

How is Juliet? As long as she is well I am happy!

BALTHASAR

Oh Romeo! Juliet is dead!

I saw them bury her in Capulet’s tomb,

And I came here at once to tell you!

ROMEO

NO!

Get me a horse.

I leave for Verona tonight.

BALTHASAR

Wait! You look like a madman!

ROMEO

I am fine.

Have you no letters to me from the friar?

BALTHASAR

No, my good lord.

ROMEO

Never mind, just go and get the horses.

(Exit BALTHASAR)

ROMEO

Well, Juliet, I will sleep next to you tonight.

How shall I choose to die?

I think I can remember an apothecary

Who sells some potions that I could use.

I will go to him now.

(ROMEO leaves and walks for a while then bangs on a door. Enter Apothecary)

APOTHECARY

Who calls so loud?

ROMEO

Come here. Do you know how to make a poison

That will quickly allow a man to end his life?

APOTHECARY

Such drugs I have; but the law

Is death to anyone who sells them.

ROMEO

I can see that you are poor.

I will give you a thousand pieces of gold

For a bottle of your drug.

APOTHECARY

It is only because I am so poor that I will agree.

Take this and put it in any drink you like.

It will do the job.

ROMEO

There is your gold.

Goodbye! Buy yourself some food.

To me this is heaven, not poison!

I will use you at Juliet’s grave.

(Exit)

ACT 5 SCENE 2

(Enter FRIAR JOHN)

FRIAR JOHN

Friar Laurence! Are you in?

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Hello Friar John! Just got back from Mantua?

How was Romeo? Did he send me a letter?

FRIAR JOHN

I have not been to Mantua!

I was delayed.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Who took the letter I sent to Romeo then?

FRIAR JOHN

It’s here I could not send it.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Oh no! That was a very important letter!

Then Romeo will not be there when Juliet wakes!

Oh quick! We must go to the cemetery!

I will bring Juliet back here until I can send for Romeo.

(Exit)

ACT 5 SCENE 3

(Enter PARIS)

PARIS

My sweet flower, my Juliet!

I bring you flowers.

I will come to your grave and cry every night.

(Hears a sound)

PARIS

Someone’s coming!

(He hides)

(Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR)

ROMEO

Give me the crow bar so I can enter the tomb.

Here is a letter for my mother,

Please deliver it in the morning.

Now go away, I only want to see her face again

And take a ring from her finger,

But I don’t want to be disturbed.

BALTHASAR

I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.

ROMEO

Thank you, friend. Now goodbye.

BALTHASAR

He looks wild, I’m afraid he will do something awful

So I will hide here and check he is OK.

(Hides)

ROMEO

Now I will see my love.

(Opens the tomb)

PARIS

That’s Romeo! He has come to harm the bodies

of his Capulet enemies!

STOP! You vile Montague!

I arrest you in the name of the Prince!

ROMEO

You are a good man Paris so I will give you a chance,

I will enter this grave and if you try to stop me

Then I will kill you.

So go away!

PARIS

No! I arrest you!

ROMEO

You will not take me!

(They fight)

PARIS

O, I am killed!

(Falls)

PARIS

Please, please lie me with Juliet!

(Dies)

ROMEO

I will.

Poor Paris.

(Laying PARIS in the tomb)

Oh there is my love, my Juliet!

You are still so beautiful, how can that be?

There is Tybalt, wrapped in his shroud,

I will make things right Tybalt,

And use the hand that killed you to finish my own life.

Juliet, you are still so lovely,

I will stay with you here forever.

Eyes, look for the last time.

Arms, take a last embrace.

Lips, one final kiss.

Here's to my love!

(Drinks)

ROMEO

Oh these drugs are quick. So with a kiss I die.

(Dies)

(JULIET wakes)

JULIET

Oh! I remember where I am!

But where is my Romeo?

Here! And Paris too, both dead?

What’s this? Romeo has drunk poison!

There is none left to help me follow you!

I will kiss you.

Maybe some of the mixture is still on your lips?

No. Someone is coming.

I must be quick!

Oh a dagger! So I die!

(Falls on ROMEO's body, and dies)

(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE outside the tomb)

FRIAR LAURENCE

I must be quick! Who is there?

BALTHASAR

Balthasar, I came here with Romeo.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Then that is his torch I see in Capulet’s tomb?

BALTHASAR

It is.

FRIAR LAURENCE

How long has he been there?

BALTHASAR

For half an hour.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Come with me quickly!

BALTHASAR

I can’t. I told him I was gone!

FRIAR LAURENCE

Stay, then; I'll go alone.

Romeo!

(Enters the tomb)

FRIAR LAURENCE

Romeo! and Paris too?

And Juliet!

All dead!

(Enter the Prince)

PRINCE

What is this?

Paris is killed! Romeo too lies here dead

And Juliet warm and bleeding and dead again?

Who can tell me what has happened here?

(Enter rest of the cast)

CAPULET

What is going on?

LADY CAPULET

The people in the street shout Romeo,

Some say Juliet, and some Paris; and all run,

towards our monument.

CAPULET

O heavens! O wife, look how Juliet bleeds!

But she was dead!

LADY CAPULET

Oh!

LORD MONTAGUE

What? Is that my Romeo?

How can this be?

PRINCE

Quiet all of you! I want to know what has happened here!

FRIAR LAURENCE

I can tell you what has happened.

PRINCE

Then tell me at once.

FRIAR LAURENCE

I will.

Romeo and Juliet were married.

I married them the same day the Tybalt was killed.

So Romeo was sent away

It was for him and not Tybalt that Juliet cried.

You then tried to force her to marry

Which she could not do; as she was already a wife.

So she came to me for help.

I gave her a sleeping potion to make her look dead

And tried to arrange for Romeo to collect her

when she woke.

My letter to Romeo was never delivered

And when he heard of her death

He came back to end his own life and lie with her.

This he did and upon waking

Juliet saw her true love dead and ended her own life.

PRINCE

Why was Paris here?

BALTHASAR

He came with flowers for Juliet

He saw Romeo and they fought.

PRINCE

Lord Capulet! Lady Montague!

See, what how God despises your hate,

That he kills your children with love.

I have been too soft on you both

And I too have lost relatives in this fight.

We are all punished.

CAPULET

O sir Montague, give me your hand:

We are friends.

LORD MONTAGUE

I will build Juliet a statue in pure gold,

For she was a true and faithful wife.

CAPULET

And I will build one for Romeo.

PRINCE

We have a grey peace this morning.

The sun is too sad to raise his head.

We will talk more of these sad things.

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.