Overview of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet’s love is a classic tale of forbidden romance. They come from feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who are sworn enemies.

Despite the obstacles and dangers, Romeo and Juliet defy their families and society to be together, leading to a tragic end.

Key Points

• Feuding families: Montagues and Capulets
• Forbidden love story
• Romeo and Juliet defy societal norms
• Tragic ending

Key Terms

• Feuding families
• Forbidden love
• Societal norms
• Tragic ending

Cast of Characters

• Romeo – A young Montague who falls in love with Juliet, leading to a tragic romance.
• Juliet – A young Capulet who falls in love with Romeo, defying her family’s wishes.
• Friar Laurence – A well-intentioned friar who marries Romeo and Juliet and devises a plan to reunite them.
• Mercutio – Romeo’s close friend known for his wit and humor, whose death fuels the tragedy.
• Tybalt – Juliet’s hot-tempered cousin who challenges Romeo to a duel and is killed by him.
• Lord Capulet – Juliet’s father who arranges her marriage to Paris and later mourns her death.
• Lady Capulet – Juliet’s mother who is distant and formal with her daughter.
• Lord Montague – Romeo’s father who is concerned about his son’s melancholy behavior.
• Lady Montague – Romeo’s mother who dies of grief after Romeo is exiled.
• The Nurse – Juliet’s loyal and talkative confidante who helps arrange her marriage to Romeo.
• Paris – A nobleman who is betrothed to Juliet and becomes entangled in the tragedy.
• Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin and close friend who tries to keep the peace between the families.
• Prince Escalus – The ruler of Verona who tries to maintain order and ends the feud between the Capulets and Montagues.
• Friar John – A friar who fails to deliver an important message to Romeo in time.
• Balthasar is Romeo’s loyal servant who tells him of Juliet’s death.
• Sampson and Gregory – Capulet servants who provoke the opening brawl in the play.
• Peter – Capulet’s servant who escorts the Nurse to meet Romeo.
• Abram – Montague servant involved in the opening brawl.
• Rosaline – The woman Romeo loves at the beginning of the play before meeting Juliet.
• Apothecary – A poverty-stricken pharmacist who sells Romeo the poison that leads to their deaths.

Timeline

1. The Capulet and Montague families are in a feud.
2. Romeo attends the Capulet party disguised and meets Juliet.
3. Romeo and Juliet fall in love at first sight.
4. They secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence.
5. Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, but Romeo refuses to fight.
6. Mercutio, Romeo’s friend, is killed by Tybalt.
7. Romeo seeks revenge and kills Tybalt.
8. Romeo is banished from Verona by the Prince.
9. Juliet is betrothed to Paris by her parents.
10. Friar Laurence devises a plan for Juliet to fake her death and be reunited with Romeo.
11. Juliet takes the potion to make her appear dead.
12. Romeo, unaware of the plan, buys poison and goes to Juliet’s tomb.
13. Romeo finds Juliet seemingly dead and drinks the poison.
14. Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead and stabs herself with his dagger.
15. The feud between the Capulets and Montagues is resolved.
16. The Prince scolds the families for their feud and the tragic consequences.
17. The Capulets and Montagues vow to end their feud.
18. The play ends with the reconciliation of the families.
19. Friar Laurence reveals the truth about Romeo and Juliet’s love and deaths.
20. The families agree to end the feud in honor of their children’s love and sacrifice.