Caught in the trap of a long-standing family feud, the members of the two distinguished Veronese houses of Capulet and Montague engage in bickering, quarreling, and occasional bloodshed when they encounter each other in the streets of Verona. To put a halt to these disturbances, the Prince of Verona enacts a law making street brawling punishable by death. Tempers flare when Tybalt, of the house of Capulet, discovers that Romeo, heir of the Montagues, has come uninvited and disguised to a great banquet given by old Lord Capulet. Unseen by others, Romeo encounters Juliet, heiress of the Capulets, and is charmed by her beauty and grace. Romeo and Juliet talk briefly and share a clandestine kiss. After the banquet, Romeo climbs into the orchard of the Capulets and overhears Juliet, standing on her balcony, confess her love for him. Romeo speaks, making his presence known, and confesses his love for Juliet. The lovers decide to take quick and decisive action. The next day they are secretly married in the cell of the good Friar Laurence, who hopes the marriage will end the family quarrel. Following the wedding, Juliet hurries home, while Romeo and his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, encounter trouble in the streets. Tybalt, still angry that Romeo and his friends attended the Capulets' party the previous evening, provokes Mercutio to fight. Romeo tries to halt the dispute, but Tybalt manages to kill Mercutio. In anger Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince of Verona then arrives at the scene and banishes Romeo from the city. Find out how the story ends, and study one of the great literary works Other titles by Shakespeare:
The Merchant of Venice
Romeo and Juliet
Hamlet
Macbeth
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