1

Romeo and Juliet

By William Shakespeare
Editing and Narrative by Sue Peterson

Twenty-eight actors

Narrator 1
Narrator 2
Narrator 3
Narrator 4
Narrator 5

Montague, Romeo!s father
Romeo Montague
Benvolio, Romeo!s cousin
Gregory, servant of the Montague!s
Sampson, servant of the Montague!s
Mercutio, relative of the prince and friend of
the Montague!s
Balthasar, Romeo!s servant

Capulet, Juliet!s father
Lady Capulet, Juliet!s mother
Juliet Capulet
Nurse, Juliet!s nanny
Tybalt, Juliet!s cousin
Abraham, servant of the Capulet!s
A Servant of the Capulet!s

The Prince of Verona
Paris, a young nobleman who wants to
marry Juliet
Friar Laurence, a preacher
Friar John, a preacher and friend to Friar
Laurence

Apothecary
First Watchman
Second Watchman
Third Watchman
Fourth Watchman

Sets
A street in Verona
Capulet!s house
Juliet!s balcony
Juliet!s room
Friar Laurence!s room
Graveyard and Capulet Tomb

ACT I
SCENE I. A street in Verona.

Narrator 1:
Join us as we visit a town in Italy named
Verona. In this town live two powerful families,
the Montagues and the Capulets. For years the
two families have hated each other and fought.
The Montagues have a son whose name is
Romeo. The Capulets have a daughter whose
name is Juliet. Our play starts in a public place
in the city of Verona. Servants of the Capulet
family, meet a servant of the Montague family.
They quickly get into a fight.

Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY
GREGORY
Draw thy tool! here comes [one] of the house of the
Montagues.
[points at ABRAHAM]
SAMPSON
My naked weapon is out, I will back thee.
Enter ABRAHAM
ABRAHAM
Do you [point] at [me], sir?
SAMPSON
I do [point], sir.
(They fight)

Narrator 1:
Benvolio, Romeos cousin, comes upon the fight
and tries to stop it.

Enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
Part, fools! Put up your swords!
(Beats down their swords)

Narrator 1:
Tybalt, of the Capulet family, and Juliets hot-
headed cousin, joins in the fight.

Enter TYBALT
TYBALT
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.
BENVOLIO
I do but keep the peace
TYBALT
What, talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate all
Montagues, and thee: coward!
(They fight)

Narrator 2:
Soon Capulet and Montague, the leaders of
their families, come upon the scene and want to
join in the fight.

2

Enter CAPULET
CAPULET
What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!
Old Montague is come,
Enter MONTAGUE
MONTAGUE
Thou villain Capulet.

Narrator 2:
The Prince of Verona sees the quarrel and
commands the men to stop fighting. He decides
that any Montague or Capulet that fights and
disturbs the peace of Verona in the future will
be put to death.

Enter PRINCE
PRINCE
Enemies to peace,
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay!
Exit all but MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO

Narrator 2:
Montague and Benvolio discuss why Romeo has
been so quiet and sad lately. Romeo enters and
Benvolio determines he will find out what is
bothering Romeo.

MONTAGUE
Where is Romeo? saw you him to-day?
BENVOLIO
So early walking did I see your son:
Towards him I made, but he was ware of me
And [hid] in the wood[s]:
MONTAGUE
Many a morning hath he there been seen,
BENVOLIO
My noble uncle, do you know the cause?
MONTAGUE
I neither know it nor can learn of him.
Enter ROMEO
BENVOLIO
See, where he comes: so please you, step aside;
I'll know his grievance.
MONTAGUE
[Ill] away.
Exit MONTAGUE
BENVOLIO
Good-morrow, cousin.

Narrator 2:
Benvolio discovers that Romeo loves a girl named
Rosaline, but she does not love him in return.
Benvolio tries to talk Romeo out of his love for
Rosaline.

BENVOLIO
What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours? In love?
ROMEO
Out--
BENVOLIO
Of love?
ROMEO
Out of her favour.
BENVOLIO
tell me who.
ROMEO
she's fair I love: [Rosaline].
BENVOLIO
forget to think of her.
ROMEO
O, teach me how I should forget to think.
BENVOLIO
Examine other beauties.
ROMEO
Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget [her].
Exit

SCENE II. A street

Narrator 3:
Paris, a rich, young nobleman, is in love with
Capulets fourteen-year-old daughter, Juliet,
and wants to marry her.

Enter CAPULET, PARIS, and Servant
PARIS
My lord, what say you to my suit [to marry Juliet]?
CAPULET
But saying o'er what I have said before:
My child [Juliet], She hath not seen the change of
fourteen years,
PARIS
Younger than she are happy mothers made.

Narrator 3:
Capulet tells Paris to court Juliet. Capulet is
having a masquerade party at his house that
night and tells his servant to deliver invitations
to the guests on the party list.

CAPULET
Woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart,
This night I hold a [mask], Come, go with me.
(To Servant, giving a paper)
Go, trudge about fair Verona; find those persons out
Whose names are written there, and to them say, [to]
My house and welcome.
Exit CAPULET and PARIS
3

Narrator 3:
The servant cannot read, and asks Romeo for
help. Romeo and Benvolio find out that Rosaline
will be at the party.

Servant
Find them out whose names are written here?
I must to the learned.
Enter BENVOLIO and ROMEO
Servant
I pray, sir, can you read?
ROMEO
Ay.
(Reads)
'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; Count
Anselme and his sisters; the lady widow of Vitravio; ;
Mercutio and his brother Valentine; mine uncle
Capulet, his wife and daughters; my fair niece
Rosaline; Tybalt, Lucio and the lively Helena.' A fair
assembly: whither should they come?
Servant
Up.
ROMEO
Whither?
Servant
To [a mask]; to our house.
ROMEO
Whose house?
Servant
My master, the great rich Capulet; and if you be not of
the house of Montagues, I pray, come.
Exit

Narrator 3:
Benvolio suggests that they sneak into the
party so Benvolio can show Romeo ladies that
are prettier than Rosaline.

BENVOLIO
At this [mask comes] the fair Rosaline whom thou so
lovest, Go thither; and Compare her face with some
that I shall show, And I will make thee think thy swan
a crow.
ROMEO
I'll go along, [though] no such sight to be shown,
Exit

SCENE III. Capulet' s house.

Narrator 3:
Juliets mother, Lady Capulet, talks to Juliet
and her nurse, or nanny, and tells them that
Paris wants to marry Juliet. Juliet is not
excited about getting married to Paris.

Enter LADY CAPULET and Nurse
LADY CAPULET
Nurse, where's my daughter?
Nurse
Juliet!
Enter JULIET
JULIET
Madam, I am here. What is your will?
LADY CAPULET
Tell me, daughter Juliet, How stands your disposition
to be married?
JULIET
It is an honour that I dream not of.
LADY CAPULET
Well, think of marriage now; The valiant Paris seeks
you for his love.
Nurse
A man, young lady! such a man
LADY CAPULET
This night you shall behold him at our [mask];
Enter a Servant
Servant
Madam, the guests are come
LADY CAPULET
We follow thee.
Exit Servant
Nurse
Go, girl, seek happy days.
Exit

SCENE V. Capulet' s house.

Enter CAPULET, with LADY CAPULET and
JULIET, meeting the Guests
CAPULET
Welcome, gentlemen! Ah ha, my mistresses! Dance!

(BALLROOM CLASS PERFORMANCE)

Narrator 4:
Romeo and Juliet see each other and
immediately fall in love. Tybalt recognizes
Romeo and wants to fight him, but Capulet
forbids him to do so because of the princes
orders.

ROMEO
(To a Servant) What lady is that?
Servant
I know not, sir.
ROMEO
I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.
TYBALT
This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
CAPULET
4
Why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so?
TYBALT
Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,
CAPULET
Young Romeo is it?
TYBALT
'Tis he, that villain Romeo.
CAPULET
Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone;
TYBALT
I'll not endure him.
CAPULET
He shall be endured:
TYBALT
I will withdraw!
Exit

Narrator 4:
Romeo learns that Juliet is a Capulet, and
Juliet learns that Romeo is a Montague. They
know this is a problem.

ROMEO (to Nurse)
What is her mother?
Nurse
Her mother is the lady of the house.
ROMEO
Is she a Capulet?
Nurse
Ay.
BENVOLIO
Away, [let us] begone.
Exit all but JULIET and Nurse
JULIET
What's he that now is going out of door?
Nurse
His name is Romeo, and a Montague;
The only son of your great enemy.
JULIET
My only love sprung from my only hate!
Exit

ACT II

SCENE I. Below Jul iet s balcony.

Narrator 4:
After the party, Romeo wants to see Juliet and
creeps below the balcony of her bedroom. Juliet
comes out on the balcony and they declare
their love for each other and decide to secretly
get married.

Enter ROMEO
ROMEO
Can I go forward when my heart is here?
Enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
Romeo! my cousin Romeo! He ran this way, and hath
hid himself among these trees
Exit
JULIET appears above at the window
ROMEO
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
JULIET
Ay me!
ROMEO
She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel!
JULIET
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
ROMEO
I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight;
(Nurse calls within)
JULIET
I hear some noise within, adieu!
Stay but a little, I will come again.
Exit, above
ROMEO
O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard.
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Re-enter JULIET, above
JULIET
If that thy bent of love be honourable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow,
ROMEO
So thrive my soul--
JULIET
A thousand times good night!
Exit, above
Re-enter JULIET, above
JULIET
Romeo!
ROMEO
My dear?
JULIET
I have forgot why I did call thee back.
ROMEO
Let me stand here till thou remember it.
JULIET
I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,
ROMEO
And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget,
(Nurse calls from within)
JULIET
Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,
Exit above
ROMEO
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes.
Exit
5

SCENE III. Friar Laurence' s room.

Narrator 5:
Romeo comes to visit Friar Laurence the
preacher and asks the friar to secretly marry
him and Juliet. Friar Laurence wonders why
Romeo does not love Rosaline anymore. Romeo
tells him that he loves Juliet much more than
he ever did ever Rosaline. The friar agrees to
marry Romeo and Juliet because he thinks it
will end the fighting between the two families.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE
Enter ROMEO
ROMEO
Good morrow, father.
FRIAR LAURENCE
What early tongue so sweet saluteth me? Where hast
thou been?
ROMEO
I have been feasting with mine enemy
FRIAR LAURENCE
Be plain, good son
ROMEO
Then plainly know my heart's dear love is set
On the fair daughter of rich Capulet: so hers is set on
mine; this I pray, That thou consent to marry us to-
day.
FRIAR LAURENCE
This alliance may so happy prove, To turn your
households' rancour to pure love.
ROMEO
O, let us hence; I stand on sudden haste.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.
Exit

SCENE IV. A street.

Narrator 5:
On a street in Verona, Romeo and Mercutio, a
relative of the Prince and a friend to the
Montague family, meet Juliets nurse. She asks
to talk to Romeo in private. Romeo tells the
nurse to have Juliet meet him at Friar
Laurences room later that day where they will
be secretly married.

Enter MERCUTIO and ROMEO
Enter Nurse
Nurse
Good morrow, gentlemen.
MERCUTIO
Good [morrow], fair gentlewoman.
Nurse
Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I may find
the young Romeo?
ROMEO
I am [he].
Nurse
if you be he, sir, I desire some confidence with you.
[MERCUTIO
I take my leave, ancient lady.]
Exit MERCUTIO
Nurse
Pray you, sir, a word [for my lady]
ROMEO
Bid her devise Some means to come this afternoon;
And she shall at Friar Laurence' [room] Be married.
Nurse
This afternoon, sir? well, she shall be there.
Exit

SCENE V. Juliet s room.

Narrator 1:
The nurse returns to Juliets room, and after
complaining about her sore body, she tells Juliet
that she is to meet Romeo in Friar Laurences
room to be married that afternoon.

Enter JULIET
JULIET
The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;
O, she comes!
Enter Nurse
O nurse, what news? Hast thou met with him?
Nurse
I am a-weary, give me leave awhile:
Fie, how my bones ache! what a jaunt have I had!
JULIET
I would thou hadst my bones, and I thy news:
Nurse
Do you not see that I am out of breath?
JULIET
How art thou out of breath, when thou hast breath
To say to me that thou art out of breath?
What says he of our marriage? what of that?
Nurse
how my head aches! It beats as it would fall in twenty
pieces. My back o' t' other side,--O, my back, my
back!
JULIET
I' faith, I am sorry that thou art not well.
Sweet, sweet, sweet nurse, tell me, what says my
love?
Nurse
Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and a
courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a
virtuous,--Where is your mother?
6
JULIET
Where is my mother! why, she is within; Where
should she be?
Nurse
Is this the poultice for my aching bones?
JULIET
come, what says Romeo?
Nurse
Hie you hence to Friar Laurence' [room]; There stays a
husband to make you a wife:
JULIET
Hie to high fortune! Honest nurse, farewell.
Exit

SCENE VI. Friar Laurence' s room.

Narrator 1:
Romeo and Juliet meet in Friar Laurences room
and are secretly married.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and ROMEO
FRIAR LAURENCE
So smile the heavens upon this holy act,
Enter JULIET
Here comes the lady: O, so light a foot
JULIET
Good even.
ROMEO
Ah, Juliet
FRIAR LAURENCE
Come, come with me, and we will make short work;
Exit

ACT III

SCENE I. A street.

Narrator 1:
Mercutio and Benvolio meet Tybalt on the
street and a fight starts. Romeo comes upon
the fight and tries to stop it. Tybalt stabs
Mercutio and kills him.

Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire: [Wait!] here
come Tybalt!
Enter TYBALT
TYBALT
Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo--
Enter ROMEO
TYBALT
Romeo --thou art a villain.
MERCUTIO
(Draws)
Tybalt, you rat-catcher!
TYBALT
What wouldst thou have with me?
MERCUTIO
Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives
TYBALT
I am for you.
(Drawing)
ROMEO
Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
(They fight)
ROMEO tries to stop MERCUTIO by holding
him back; TYBALT then stabs MERCUTIO;
TYBALT runs
MERCUTIO
I am hurt.
BENVOLIO
What, art thou hurt?
MERCUTIO
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch.
ROMEO
Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO
No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-
door; but 'tis enough, Help me into some house.
Exit MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO
ROMEO
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt In my behalf!
Re-enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!

Narrator 1:
Romeo is so angry that he fights with Tybalt
and kills him. Because of the princes decree
that any Montague or Capulet who fights will
be put to death, Benvolio urges Romeo to run
away. Romeo, horrified by what he has done to
his wifes cousin, flees.

ROMEO
fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!
Re-enter TYBALT
TYBALT
Thou, wretched boy
(They fight; TYBALT dies)
BENVOLIO
Romeo, away, be gone! the prince will doom thee
death
ROMEO
O, I am fortune's fool!
Exit ROMEO

Narrator 2:
The prince, Capulet, and Lady Capulet hear the
commotion and come upon the bloody scene.
7
Benvolio tells the Prince that Tybalt has killed
Mercutio, and Romeo killed Tybalt as revenge.

Enter Prince, CAPULET, and LADY
CAPULET
PRINCE
Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
BENVOLIO
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo, That slew
thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.
LADY CAPULET
Tybalt! O my brother's child!
PRINCE
Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?
BENVOLIO
Tybalt.
[CAPULET]
Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.

Narrator 2:
Rather than put Romeo to death, the prince
decides that Romeo is to be banished and sent
away from Verona forever.

PRINCE
Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio;
And for that offence Immediately we do exile [Romeo]
Exit

SCENE II. Juli et s room.

Narrator 2:
The nurse runs to Juliets room and tells Juliet
that her new husband, Romeo, has killed her
cousin Tybalt.

Enter JULIET and Nurse
JULIET
Now, nurse, what news?
Nurse
Ah! he's dead, he's dead, he's dead!
JULIET
Hath Romeo slain himself?'
Nurse
I saw the wound, I saw it with mine eyes,--
JULIET
O, break, my heart!
Nurse
O courteous Tybalt! honest gentleman!
JULIET
Is Romeo slaughter'd, and is Tybalt dead?
Nurse
Tybalt is gone, and Romeo banished;
JULIET
did Romeo's hand shed Tybalt's blood?
Nurse
It did, it did!
Will you speak well of him that kill'd your cousin?

Narrator 2:
Juliet is not angry with Romeo and tells the
nurse to find Romeo and ask him to come and
see her before he has to leave Verona.

JULIET
Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?
bid him come to [me to] take his last farewell.
Exit

SCENE III. Friar Laurence' s room.

Narrator 3:
After killing Tybalt, Romeo has run to Friar
Laurences room to hide. Friar Laurence tells
Romeo that his punishment is not death, but
banishment from Verona forever. This upsets
Romeo because it means he will never see Juliet
again.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE
FRIAR LAURENCE
Romeo, come forth, thou fearful man:
Enter ROMEO
ROMEO
Father, what news? what is the prince's doom?
FRIAR LAURENCE
Not body's death, but body's banishment.
ROMEO
Ha, banishment!
FRIAR LAURENCE
Hence from Verona art thou banished:
ROMEO
There is no world without Verona walls,
heaven is here, where Juliet lives
(Knocking within)

Narrator 3:
The nurse comes to Friar Laurences room and
tells Romeo that Juliet does not hate him for
killing her cousin, and wants to see him before
he leaves the city. Romeo is overjoyed by this
and leaves to be with Juliet.

FRIAR LAURENCE
Good Romeo, hide thyself.
(Knocking)
Hark, how they knock! Who's there? Romeo, arise;
(Knocking)
Run to my study. By and by!
What simpleness is this! I come, I come!
8
Nurse
(Within) Let me come in, and you shall know my
errand; I come from Lady Juliet.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Welcome, then.
Enter Nurse
ROMEO
Nurse! Spakest thou of Juliet? how is it with her?
Doth she not think me an old murderer,
Nurse
O, she says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps [for
you];
FRIAR LAURENCE
[Tell thy lady] Romeo is coming.
Nurse
I'll tell my lady you will come.
Exit
ROMEO
How well my comfort is revived by this!
FRIAR LAURENCE
Go hence; good night!
Exit

SCENE IV. Capul et' s house.

Narrator 3:
At the Capulet home, Paris has come to visit
Juliet, but she will not see him. Her father,
Capulet, decides that she will marry Paris on
Wednesday. He tells Juliets mother, Lady
Capulet, to go to Juliets room and tell her she
is to marry Paris.

Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and
PARIS
CAPULET
'Tis very late, [Juliet will] not come down to-night:
PARIS
These times of woe afford no time to woo.
Madam, good night: commend me to your daughter.
LADY CAPULET
I will.
CAPULET
Acquaint [Juliet] of Paris' love; And bid her, on
Wednesday next-- She shall be married to [Paris].
PARIS
My lord, I would that [Wednesday] were to-morrow.
CAPULET
Well get you gone: o' [Wednesday] be it, then.
Good night.
Exit

SCENE V. Juliet s room.

Narrator 4:
Romeo has secretly come to visit Juliet in her
room. The nurse runs in and tells them that
Lady Capulet is coming. Romeo quickly leaves.

Enter Nurse
Nurse
Madam!
JULIET
Nurse?
Nurse
Your lady mother is coming to your chamber:
ROMEO
Farewell, farewell!.
JULIET
Art thou gone so? ay, husband, friend!
O think'st thou we shall ever meet again?
ROMEO
I doubt it not
Exit

Narrator 4:
Lady Capulet enters and informs Juliet that she
is to marry Paris on Wednesday. Juliet refuses.
Her father enters and finds that Juliet will not
obey him. He orders her to marry Paris or
swears that he will never see her again and
angrily leaves. Juliet pleads with her mother
for help, but her mother is also angry with her
and turns away.

Enter LADY CAPULET
LADY CAPULET
Why, how now, Juliet!
JULIET
Madam, I am not well.
LADY CAPULET
Evermore weeping for your cousin's death?
But now I'll tell thee joyful tidings, girl.
JULIET
What are they, I beseech your ladyship?
LADY CAPULET
Well, well, thou hast a careful father, child;
who, Hath sorted out a sudden day of joy,
[To] Marry, early next [Wednesday] morn,
The gallant, young and noble gentleman, Paris
JULIET
I pray you, tell my lord and father, madam,
I will not marry yet
LADY CAPULET
Here comes your father; tell him so yourself,
And see how he will take it at your hands.
Enter CAPULET and Nurse
CAPULET
How now, wife! Have you deliver'd to her our decree?
LADY CAPULET
Ay, sir; but she will none.
9
CAPULET
How! will she none? doth she not give us thanks?
JULIET
Good father, I beseech you on my knees,
Hear me with patience but to speak a word.
CAPULET
Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!
I tell thee what: get thee to church o'[Wednesday],
Or never after look me in the face:
Exit
JULIET
O, sweet my mother, cast me not away!
LADY CAPULET
Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word:
Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.
Exit

Narrator 5:
Juliet asks her nurse what she should do. The
nurse suggests that she marry Paris because
Romeo is banished. Juliet pretends to agree
with the nurse, but is very angry with her for
suggesting this.

JULIET
O nurse, how shall this be prevented?
Nurse
Romeo is banish'd; I think it best you married with
[Paris].
JULIET
Speakest thou from thy heart?
Nurse
And from my soul too;
JULIET
Go in: and tell my lady I am gone,
Having displeased my father, to Laurence' [room],
Nurse
I will; and this is wisely done.
Exit

Narrator 5:
Juliet decides that she would rather die than
marry Paris. She leaves to ask the friar for
help.

JULIET
O [nurse!] most wicked fiend!
I'll to the friar, to know his remedy:
If all else fail, myself have power to die.
Exit

ACT IV

SCENE I. Friar Laurence' s room.

Narrator 1:
Juliet visits the friar and tells him she is ready
to kill herself if she has to marry Paris.

JULIET
Are you at leisure, holy father, now?
FRIAR LAURENCE
My leisure serves me, pensive daughter, now.
JULIET
Come weep with me!
FRIAR LAURENCE
Ah, Juliet, I already know thy grief;
JULIET
Give me some present counsel, or, behold, [I use] this
bloody knife rather than marry Paris
FRIAR LAURENCE
Hold, daughter: I do spy a kind of hope,
And, if thou darest, I'll give thee remedy.

Narrator 1:
Friar Laurence tells Juliet that he has a plan to
fix the problem. He tells her to go home and
agree to marry Paris, but to drink a vial of
potion when she is alone. The potion will not kill
her, but put her into a deep sleep for 42 hours
and make her appear to be dead. Thinking she
has died, her family will put her body in the
Capulet tomb.

FRIAR LAURENCE
Go home, give consent To marry Paris
Take thou this vial, And drink;
[And you shall] appear like death two and forty hours,
Now, when [Paris] in the morning comes
To rouse thee from thy bed, there thou [appear] dead:

Narrator 1:
Friar Laurence tells Juliet he will send a letter
to Romeo who is in hiding in the nearby city of
Mantua. The letter will tell Romeo to sneak
back into Verona and meet Juliet in the tomb
when she wakes up. They can then run away
together.

FRIAR LAURENCE
In the mean time, Romeo by my letter shall he come:
and bear thee hence from thy tomb.

Narrator 1:
Juliet is excited about the friars plan and
hurries home to fulfill it.

JULIET
Give me, give me!
FRIAR LAURENCE
10
I'll send [Friar John] with speed with my letters to thy
lord.
JULIET
Love give me strength! Farewell, dear father!
Exit

SCENE II. Capul et' s house.

Narrator 2:
Juliet returns home and tells her father that
she will marry Paris.

Enter CAPULET and Nurse
CAPULET
What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence?
Nurse
Ay.
CAPULET
Well, he may chance to do some good on her:
Enter JULIET
CAPULET
How now, my headstrong! where have you been
gadding?
JULIET
Where I have learn'd me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
CAPULET
Why, I am glad on't
Exit

SCENE III. Juliet' s room.

Narrator 2:
In her room, Juliet asks her mother to leave
her. She then drinks the potion in the vial and
falls into a deep dead-like sleep.

Enter JULIET and LADY CAPULET
JULIET
I pray thee, leave me to my self to-night,
LADY CAPULET
What, are you busy, ho? need you my help?
JULIET
No, madam; So please you, let me now be left alone,
LADY CAPULET
Good night: Get thee to bed, and rest.
Exit LADY CAPULET
JULIET
Farewell! [Who] knows when we shall meet again.
Come, vial. Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee.
(Drinks vial contents and passes out)

SCENE V. Juliet' s room.

Narrator 2:
The next morning the nurse comes to wake
Juliet for her wedding to Paris, but finds her in
a deep sleep and thinks she has died during the
night. Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Paris enter as
well and also believe Juliet to be dead.

Enter Nurse
Nurse
I must needs wake you; Lady!
Alas, alas! Help, help! my lady's dead!
Enter LADY CAPULET
LADY CAPULET
What noise is here? What is the matter?
Nurse
Look, look! O heavy day!
LADY CAPULET
O me! My child, my only life, Help, help! Call help.
Enter CAPULET
CAPULET
Ha! let me see her: alas! she's cold:

Narrator 2:
Friar Laurence enters also, but knows that
Juliet is merely sleeping, and pretends that she
has died.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and PARIS
FRIAR LAURENCE
Come, is the bride ready to go to church?
CAPULET
Ready to go, but never to return.
PARIS
Most detestable death!
CAPULET
Alack! my child is dead;
Exit

ACT V

SCENE I. Mantua.

Narrator 3:
Balthasar, Romeos servant, finds Romeo in
Mantua and tells him the news that Juliet has
died. Romeo has not received the letter from
Friar Laurence telling him of the secret plan, so
he believes that Juliet is truly dead.

Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR
ROMEO
News from Verona!--How now, Balthasar!
Dost thou not bring me letters from the friar?
How fares my Juliet?
BALTHASAR
Her body sleeps And her immortal part with angels
11
lives. O, pardon me for bringing these ill news,
ROMEO
Is it even so? [It cannot be so! My heart breaks!]
Hast thou no letters to me from the friar?
BALTHASAR
No, my good lord.

Narrator 3:
He tells Balthasar to hire some horses so they
can return to Verona immediately. Romeo sees
an apothecary, a man that makes and sells
medicines, and buys poison from him so he can
find Juliet, kill himself, and be with her in
death.

ROMEO
No matter: get thee gone, And hire horses; I'll be with
thee straight. [We go to Verona!]
Exit BALTHASAR
Well, Juliet, I will [die] with thee to-night.
What, ho! apothecary!
Enter Apothecary
Apothecary
Who calls so loud?
ROMEO
Come hither, man. let me have A dram of poison
Apothecary
Such mortal drugs I have; Put this in any liquid thing
you will,
ROMEO
There is thy gold, (to vial) Come, go with me To
Juliet's grave; for there must I use thee.
Exit

SCENE II. Friar Laurence' s room.

Narrator 4:
Friar John, who is also a preacher and friend to
Friar Laurence, was entrusted with the letter
for Romeo. He returns to Friar Laurences room
and explains that he was delayed and could not
deliver the letter. Friar Laurence realizes the
danger in this and tries to decide what to do
because Juliet will wake up soon.

Enter FRIAR JOHN
FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!
Enter FRIAR LAURENCE
FRIAR LAURENCE
This same should be the voice of Friar John.
Welcome what says Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
My speed was stay'd.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it,--here it is again,--
Exit
FRIAR LAURENCE
The letter was Of dear import, and the neglecting it
May do much danger. Within three hours will fair
Juliet wake!
Exit

SCENE III. A graveyard; i n it a
tomb belonging to the Capul ets.

Narrator 5:
Romeo and Balthasar arrive at the graveyard in
Verona and find the Capulet tomb. Romeo gives
a letter to Balthasar and asks him to give it to
his father, Montague, in the morning. He asks
Balthasar to leave him.

Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR
ROMEO
Hold, take this letter; early in the morning See thou
deliver it to my father. And do not interrupt me.
BALTHASAR
I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.
Exit

Narrator 5:
Romeo then begins to pry open the tomb, but is
interrupted by Paris who has come to the tomb
to mourn Juliets death. Paris challenges Romeo
and they fight. Romeo kills Paris and enters the
tomb.

Enter PARIS
PARIS
This is that banish'd haughty Montague,
(Comes forward)
thou must die.
ROMEO
Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man;
PARIS
I do apprehend thee.
ROMEO
Wilt thou provoke me? then have at thee, boy!
(They fight)
PARIS
O, I am slain!
(Falls, Dies)

Narrator 5:
Romeo finds Juliet, who he believes to be
dead, drinks the poison and dies.

12
ROMEO (in tomb to Juliet)
O my wife! Here's to [thee]!
(Drinks)
O true apothecary! Thy drugs are quick.
(Dies)

Narrator 1:
Friar Laurence enters the graveyard and finds
Romeos servant, Balthasar, who tells the friar
that Romeo has been in the tomb for half an
hour. The friar asks Balthasar to go into the
tomb with him, but Balthasar refuses and
leaves.

(Enter, at the other end of the churchyard,
FRIAR LAURENCE)
FRIAR LAURENCE
Who's there?
Enter BALTHASAR
BALTHASAR
A friend.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Tell me, good my friend, Who is [in the tomb]?
BALTHASAR
Romeo.
FRIAR LAURENCE
How long hath he been there?
BALTHASAR
Full half an hour.
FRIAR LAURENCE
Go with me to the vault.
BALTHASAR
I dare not, sir
Exit

Narrator 1:
Friar Laurence then moves to the tomb and
finds Paris body. He continues in and finds
Romeos body. Just then Juliet wakes and finds
her husband is dead.

FRIAR LAURENCE
Stay, then; I'll go alone. Romeo!
(Advances)
Alack, alack, what blood is this?[Paris!]
(Enters the tomb)
Romeo! O, pale! The lady stirs.
(JULIET wakes)
JULIET
O friar! Where is my Romeo?
FRIAR LAURENCE
Thy husband there lies dead;

Narrator 1:
Friar Laurence hears the night guards and urges
Juliet to flee. She refuses. Friar Laurence runs
from the approaching guards. Juliet finds
Romeos dagger and kills herself.

(Noise within)

FRIAR LAURENCE
[I hear the night guard!] Come, go, good Juliet,
JULIET
Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.
Exit FRIAR LAURENCE
What's here? a vial, closed in my true love's hand?
Poison!
First Watchman
(Within) Lead, which way?
JULIET
Yea, noise? then I'll be brief. O happy dagger!
(Grabbing ROMEO's dagger; Stabs herself and
dies)

Narrator 2:
The First and Second Watchmen enter and find
Romeo and Juliets bodies. The first watchman
sends the second to fetch the prince, Montague
and Capulet.

First and Second Watchmen enter
First Watchman to Second Watchman
Go, tell the prince: run to the Capulets: Raise up the
Montagues
Second Watchman
Ay, sir!
Exit Second Watchman

Narrator 2:
Other guards find Balthasar and Friar Laurence
and hold them for questioning.

Enter BALTHASAR with Third Watchman
Third Watchman
Here's Romeo's man; we found him in the churchyard.
First Watchman
Hold him in safety, till the prince come hither.
Enter Fourth Watchman with FRIAR
LAURENCE
Fourth Watchman
Here is a friar, that trembles
First Watchman
stay the friar too.

Narrator 2:
The prince arrives and sees the horrible scene.
Capulet and Lady Capulet arrive and realize
that their daughter was not dead before, but
has just died.
13

Enter the PRINCE
PRINCE
What calls our person from our morning's rest?
Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET
CAPULET
What should it be, that they so shriek abroad?
LADY CAPULET
The people in the street cry Romeo, some Juliet, and
some Paris; and all run,
First Watchman
[Paris] [t]here lies; Romeo [is] dead; and Juliet new
kill'd.
PRINCE
Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.
CAPULET
O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!
Enter MONTAGUE and Second Watchman
PRINCE
Come, Montague; for thou art early up,
To see thy son more early down.
MONTAGUE
What manners is in this?

Narrator 2:
The Prince reads the letter Romeo intended for
his father, Montague, and learns of Romeo and
Juliets marriage and the poison Romeo took to
die with Juliet.

PRINCE
Where's Romeo's man? what can he say in this?
BALTHASAR
I brought my master news of Juliet's death;
This letter he early bid me give his father,
PRINCE
Give me the letter; I will look on it.
And here he writes that he did buy a poison
Came to this vault to die, and lie with Juliet.

Narrator 2:
The prince shows Montague and Capulet what
their hatred for each other has done to their
children. Montague and Capulet finally make
peace with each other.

PRINCE
Where be these enemies? Capulet! Montague!
See, what a scourge is laid upon your hate,
CAPULET
O brother Montague, give me thy hand
[MONTAGUE
I give thee my hand, and my peace.]
PRINCE
A glooming peace this morning with it brings;
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

End