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Katja Maas

Romeo and Juliet Synopsis

Updated: May 26





ACT I


Scene I - The Market Square Verona awakens slowly, with Romeo wandering the empty streets, lost in dreams of love. As the city stirs, early passers-by appear, and servants from an inn clean desktops. Tybalt, nephew of the Capulets, enters, eager for a fight and seeking a confrontation with the hated Montagues. He encounters Benvolio, nephew of the Montagues, and they begin to duel. The noise draws people from both houses, and a full-fledged brawl ensues. The city is fully awakened by the commotion, and the alarm bells ring. The Prince of Verona arrives, commanding everyone to lay down their arms and declaring that future combatants will be executed. The crowd disperses, satisfied by the Duke's order.


Scene II - Juliet’s Anteroom Juliet is in her room, playfully teasing her nurse, throwing cushions, and hiding from her. Their fun is interrupted by Juliet's mother, who sternly orders her to stop playing. She leads Juliet to a mirror, reminding her that she is now an adult.


Scene III - Outside the Capulet House The Capulet house is abuzz with preparations for a grand party. Guests arrive, including Juliet's friends. Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio playfully crash the party


Scene IV - Inside the Capulet House In the ballroom, visitors converse politely as the dancing begins. Juliet's dance captivates everyone with its purity and grace. Romeo, unable to take his eyes off her, approaches and speaks of his feelings. When his mask falls, Juliet is enchanted by his noble appearance and falls in love. Tybalt, recognizing Romeo, is angered but restrained by the festive atmosphere. The nurse later informs Juliet that Romeo is a Montague, their enemy, but this revelation does not deter her.


Scene V - Outside Juliet’s Balcony Under the cover of darkness, Romeo and Juliet meet in the garden. They declare their love for each other and vow fidelity.


ACT II


Scene I - The Market Square Juliet, unable to bear even a brief separation, sends her nurse to find Romeo and deliver a letter. Amid the carnival's merriment, the nurse locates Romeo and gives him the letter, in which Juliet agrees to marry him.


Scene II - The Chapel In Friar Laurence's cell, Romeo shares their love story and requests that he marry them. Touched by their sincerity, Friar Laurence agrees. Juliet arrives, and he blesses their union.


Scene III - The Market Square The carnival continues to roar through Verona. Romeo's friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, enjoy the festivities until they encounter Tybalt. A fight breaks out, and when Romeo intervenes to stop it, Tybalt mortally wounds Mercutio. Grief-stricken, Romeo kills Tybalt in retaliation. The Capulets demand vengeance. Romeo escapes as the Prince announces he is exiled from Verona.


ACT III


Scene I - Juliet’s Bedroom Romeo secretly visits Juliet's bedroom for a final farewell before his banishment from Verona. Morning comes, and Juliet's parents and nurse enter, delivering the terrible news that she is to marry Paris soon. Juliet is devastated, but her parents are adamant.


Scene II - The Chapel Romeo runs to Friar Lawrence in despair. Friar Lawrence convinces him to consider his banishment a blessing - he has his life and time will see him and Juliet together again. He leaves. Then Juliet arrives in despair. Friar Laurence, devises a plan to save her: a potion that will make her appear dead. Only Romeo will know the truth, allowing him to retrieve her from the crypt and take her to safety. Juliet agrees.


Scene III - Juliet’s Bedroom

Juliet returns home and pretends to obey her parents' will. Left alone, she drinks the potion. The next morning, Juliet is found "dead" in her bedroom.


Scene IV - The Crypt

Meanwhile, in Mantua, Romeo hears of Juliet’s death and rushes to Verona. He sees the funeral procession and his beloved in an open coffin. Under the cover of night, he enters the family crypt, says goodbye to Juliet, and drinks poison. Awakening, Juliet sees Romeo's lifeless body and, blinded by grief, she takes her life with a dagger.




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