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Romeo and Juliet Prologue

Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where civil blood make civil hands unclean,

5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes,

A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life,

Whose misadventured piteous overthrows,

Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.

The fearful passage of their death-marked love,

10 And the continuance of their parents' rage,

Which, but their children's end, naught could remove,

Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage,

The which if you with patient ears attend,

What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.

ACT ONE

Scene 1—A public square in Verona

Gregory and Sampson, two young Capulet servants, swagger down the street

joking, bragging, and telling about a quarrel or feud that they and their master have with a

rival family. They say if they meet any Montagues they will not back down. They also

brag about being attractive and having the ability to overpower women.

5 When Abram and Balthasar, two Montague servants, enter the scene, the Capulet

servants draw their swords and decide to make some insulting gestures to the Montagues.

The two pairs of servants argue about whose master is better. Just as Benvolio,

Montague's nephew, enters the scene, the Montagues draw their swords and the two pairs

of servants begin to fight.

9 Benvolio stops them by beating down their swords. Tybalt, the hot-headed nephew

of Capulet enters, sees Benvolio's sword drawn and challenges him to a fight. Benvolio

makes it clear he was trying to stop a fight. When Tybalt says, "What, drawn, and talk of

peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!"

Benvolio responds.

13 Others of the Capulets and Montagues join in, but citizens of the town are yelling,

"Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!"

Old Montague and Old Capulet themselves rush to join the fight. Their wives

discourage them. Lady Capulet implies her husband is too old to fight while Lady

Montague tries to make an ultimatum against her husband's joining the fight.

18 Suddenly, Prince Escalus, prince of Verona, and his attendants enter the scene.

"Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbor-stained steel--

Will they not hear? What, ho! You men, you beasts, that quench the fire of your

destructive rage with purple fountains flowing from your veins! On pain of torture, from

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those bloody hands throw your mistempered weapons to the ground and hear the sentence

of your moved prince.

23 Three civil brawls, brought on by insults caused by thee, old Capulet, and

Montague, have three times disturbed the quiet of our streets and made Verona's ancient

citizens part your hate with their peace. If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives

shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For now, all depart. You, Capulet, shall go along with

me; and, Montague, come this afternoon, to know my further pleasure in this case. Once

more, on pain of death, all men depart."

28 Everyone leaves but the Montagues and Benvolio. Montague wants to know who

started the trouble. Benvolio tells him about the servants' quarrel, Tybalt, and the rest who

joined in. Lady Montague wants to know where Romeo was, although she is glad he was

not there. Benvolio tells her he saw Romeo early in the morning walking in a sycamore

grove at the edge of the city. Romeo saw Benvolio coming toward him and hid in the

woods. Benvolio decided to respect Romeo's privacy and went away.

34 Montague says that Romeo has been wandering through the woods at night, often

in tears. At daybreak he returns home and locks himself in his darkened room. Montague

is deeply concerned about his son's behavior and feels he needs guidance. He wants to find

out what is bothering Romeo so he can help him.

38 Benvolio sees Romeo coming and tells the Montagues to leave so that he can talk

to Romeo privately and try to find out what is wrong. Romeo confesses that he is sad

because the woman he loves has been unresponsive to his declaration of love, his adoring

looks, and his wealth. She has sworn that she will not marry and have children. Romeo

says her great beauty will die with her.

42 Benvolio's advice is to forget about her and look at other beauties, but Romeo says

that would only make him appreciate his own love's beauty more. He can’t forget her.

Benvolio says, "I'll convince you you're wrong, or die trying.

Scene 2—A street near the Capulet house

Capulet tells Count Paris that he and Montague are being equally penalized for the

street fighting and that it should not be that hard for men as old as them to keep the peace.

Paris reminds Capulet, “I want to know what you think of my request to marry your

daughter Juliet.”

“She is young--not yet fourteen; you should wait two more years.” Paris argues

that girls younger than her are already married and have children.

6 “But girls who marry too young and have children too young are often hurt.

Because all of my other children have died, I have only Juliet. Win her affection and I will

give my approval for her to marry who she chooses.” Capulet is having a party this very

night; he has invited many people and extends the invitation to Paris. "Tonight at the party

you will witness the loveliest young girls in Verona, including Juliet. When you see all of

them together, your opinion of Juliet may change.”

11 Capulet gives a paper to a servant and orders him to go throughout Verona finding

the people whose names are on the list and inviting them to the party. Capulet and Paris

leave.

The servant is confused because he has been asked to locate the people on the list to

invite them, but he cannot read the list. He decides to find an educated person to help him.

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15 Benvolio is still talking to Romeo about his situation. “One fire will burn another

out. A new pain will make you forget an old one. One grief makes you forget about a

previous grief. Get a new infection, and the poison of the old one will die.” Romeo tells

Benvolio what his life without his love is like. “I’m more bound than a madman—shut up

in prison, kept without food, whipped and tormented and—hello, fellow.” They have met

the Capulet’s servant.

20 “Can you read?” the servant asks Romeo.

“Yes, I can read. Signior Martino and his wife and daughters; County Anselmo

and his beauteous sisters; the lady widow of Vitruvio; Signior Placentio and his lovely

nieces; Mercuito and his brother Valentine; my uncle Capulet, his wife, and daughters; my

fair niece Rosaline and Livia; Signior Valentio and his Cousin Tybalt; Lucio and the lively

Helena. An impressive group. Where are they invited?”

25 “To supper at our house,” replied the servant.

“Whose house?”

“I’ll tell you. My master is the great rich Capulet; if you aren’t one of the

Montagues, come too. Goodbye.

29 Benvolio makes sure that Romeo realizes that his love Rosaline was among the

guests on the servant’s list as well as all the admired beauties of Verona. “Go there, and

with an impartial eye compare her with some that I’ll point out to you. And I’ll make you

realize your swan is a crow.”

“That’s a lie! Someone more beautiful than my love? The sun has never seen

anyone that could match her beauty since the world began.”

34 “You only saw her by herself and had no one to compare her to. But now we’re

going to put her in a crystal scale with some other maiden. She’ll not compare very well

then even though you think now that she’s so wonderful,” says Benvolio.

“I’ll go along—not because I think that you’re right, but because it will be a chance

to see Rosaline.”

Scene 3—Capulet’s house

Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse

“Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her for me.”

“I told her to come. Where is she? (calling) Juliet, hey, where are you?

Juliet enters wanting to know who is calling her and finding out it is her mother.

“Madam, I’m here. What do you want?”

5 “Nurse, leave us alone for a little while. This is a private matter—Well, you nurse,

know Juliet as well as anyone; stay. You know Juliet is getting to an attractive

(marriageable) age.”

The nurse says, “I can tell you her age to the hour.”

“She’s not quite fourteen,” says Lady Capulet.

9 “I’d bet fourteen of my teeth on that, but I only have four,” laughs the nurse. “She

won’t be fourteen until the feast of Lammastide holiday in two weeks. I remember so well

because she and my daughter Susan were the same age. Well, Susan is with God. I

remember when Juliet was just a little girl . . .” and she rambles on and on until Lady

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Capulet has to stop her. But the nurse manages to add, “She was the prettiest child I ever

nursed and if I live to see her married, I’ll be happy.”

15 Well, marriage is just what I came to talk about,” says Lady Capulet. “Tell me,

Juliet, what’s your attitude about getting married?”

“It’s an honor that I really hadn’t thought of.”

“Well, you need to start thinking about marriage. Girls younger than you here in

Verona, respected girls from good families, already are married and have children. I was

your mother when I was about the age that you are now. So let me be brief: the valiant

Paris seeks you for his love.”

22 The nurse is ecstatic, “What a man! He could be used as a model for sculptors.”

“Verona’s summer doesn’t have a flower equal to him. What do you say? Can you

love him? Tonight you will see him at our feast.”

“Read over the volume of young Paris’s face

26 Find delight written there with beauty’s pen.

Examine every line

And see how each one lends content.

And what you can’t see in this fair volume,

30 Find written in the margin of his eyes.

This precious book of love, this unbound lover

To beautify him lacks only a cover.

And what’s beautiful on the outside

May be hiding fair things inside.

You shall share all that he does possess

36 And by having him you’ll make yourself no less.”

The nurse, who liked to laugh and earthy and dirty jokes said, “She’ll make herself

no less? Women usually grow (get pregnant) when they marry men.”

Juliet promises to look Paris over with the intention of liking him.

40 A servant comes, “Madam, the guests are come, supper served up, you called, my

young lady asked for, the nurse cursed in the pantry and everything in chaos. Everything

is happening at once and I can’t handle it. Please follow me right away.”

“We follow you. Juliet, the County waits.”

The nurse says, “Go, girl, seek happy nights and happy days.”

Scene 4—A street near the Capulet house

Romeo; Mercutio and Benvolio, his two best friends; and five or six others are

walking through the dark streets carrying torches as they head to Capulet’s costume ball.

They are joking and laughing as they go, but Romeo reminds them that he has a heavy

heart and a soul of lead. “I’m too pierced by Cupid’s shaft to soar with his light feathers,

and I cannot bound a pitch above dull woe. Under love’s heavy burden I sink. We mean

well by going to this party, but it’s not wise to go. I had a dream tonight.”

7 Mercutio tries to cheer Romeo up and encourage him to not take his dream so

seriously by telling a story about Queen Mab who brings dreams to people. She is a tiny

creature that drives a hazelnut chariot, which has spider legs for the spokes of its wheels

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and is covered with the wings of grasshoppers. The story goes on so long that Benvolio

warns they’re going to be late getting to the party.

12 Romeo says, “I’m afraid we’ll get there too early. My dream made me think that

some terrible event caused by the stars is going to begin with tonight’s party. I think

something is going to happen that will cause my untimely death. But he who has control

of my life will direct me, so let’s go ahead, gentlemen.”

Scene 5—A hall in Capulet’s house; the scene of the party

Capulet is greeting his guests, “Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that don’t have ugly

corns on their feet will dance a round with you. Ah ha, now ladies! Which of you will

now refuse to dance? If you refuse, we’ll assume you have ugly corns on your feet.

Welcome, everyone. I remember when I used to wear a mask to a party so I could whisper

anonymously into a girl’s ear. But that time is gone! Come on musicians; let’s start the

music and dancing. Servants, more light, turn up the tables, quench the fire; the room is

too hot.” Capulet sits down with his cousin to argue about how long it has been since they

went to masked balls in costume—twenty-five or thirty years ago.

9 Romeo has arrived at the ball and has already spotted a beautiful girl. He asks a

servant who she is, but the servant doesn’t know.

“What lady is that, which enriches the hand of that knight?

O she teaches the torches to burn bright!

She seems to hang upon the cheek of night

like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear—

Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!

16 She’s like a snowy dove trooping with crows

When the dance is done, I’ll watch where she goes to stand

And touching her hand will bless my hand

Did my heart ever love until now? I never saw that sight!

For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.

21 Tybalt, a Capulet, overhears Romeo making these remarks to himself. “I recognize

the voice of a Montague. Servant, bring me my sword. How dare he come here with a

mask on to sneer at our party? It would not be a sin for me to strike him dead.”

Capulet comes up to his nephew to ask why he’s so upset. Tybalt tells him about

the Montague intruder at the party, but Capulet doesn’t seem too concerned. “Is it young

Romeo? Settle down, nephew. Let him alone. He acts like a decent youth. In fact,

Verona brags about him saying he is good and well behaved. I wouldn’t for all the wealth

in this town insult him here in my house. Be patient. Don’t pay any attention to him. It’s

my wish that you will respect me and get rid of that frown. It’s not appropriate at a party.”

30 “A frown is appropriate when there’s a villain at the party. I’ll not stand for his

being here.”

“You will stand it. I say you will put up with his presence. Am I the master here

or are you? You’ll make a riot here among my guests. If you’re going to challenge my

authority, go. Be quiet, or I’ll make you quiet!”

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Tybalt says he will restrain himself only because his uncle is forcing him to and

warns that holding back his anger may make it become more bitter later. He leaves.

37 Romeo has approached Juliet. They ignore everyone around them. They touch the

palms of their hands together. Their conversation revolves around Romeo’s comparison of

his lips to pilgrims who have traveled to a holy shrine (Juliet). She goes along with his

comparison because she feels the same way about him. They kiss.

The nurse interrupts to tell Juliet that her mother wants her. Romeo asks the nurse

who the girl’s mother is so that he can find out who he has just kissed.

43 “Her mother is the lady of the house. And a good lady, and a wise and virtuous. I

nursed her daughter that you just talked to. I tell you, who ever wins her heart has made a

good catch.”

Romeo is distraught. “Is she a Capulet? My life belongs to my enemy.” Romeo

and Benvolio say good night to Capulet as the party is breaking up. Juliet calls the nurse to

her to ask her to identify certain guests as they are leaving. When the nurse doesn’t know

who Romeo is, Juliet sends her off to ask his name.

49 “If he’s married, my grave will be my wedding bed.”

The nurse returns with the news, “His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only

son of your great enemy.”

“My only love, sprung from my only hate! I fell in love with him before I knew

whom he was. How unlucky is my love that I have fallen in love with an enemy.”

The nurse says, “Let’s go to bed; the strangers are all gone.”

ACT TWO

Scene 1—A lane by the wall of Capulet’s garden

Later the evening of the party, Romeo returns alone to the Capulet home. “How

can I leave when Juliet, my love, is here,” he says as he climbs the wall along Capulet’s

garden and leaps down into the garden.

4 Mercutio and Benvolio come along calling for Romeo. Benvolio saw Romeo run

ahead and leap the orchard wall. Mercutio tries to get Romeo to come out by making loud

jokes about Romeo’s lovesickness and suggestive remarks about Rosaline. Benvolio

warns that if Romeo hears these remarks he will be angry. He also suggests they leave,

thinking Romeo probably wants to be left alone in the dark because of the depressed mood

he was in earlier. Mercuito agrees to leave, but he is still laughing and making fun of

Romeo’s feelings.

Scene 2—Capulet’s orchard

Romeo has heard Benvolio and Mercutio and says that only someone who has

never been hurt by love would joke about it the way Mercutio has. Then he sees a light

coming from the house.

“But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the East and Juliet is the sun!

5 Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief

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That you, her maid, are more fair than she.

Do not be her maid since she is envious.

She is dressed in a sickly green color,

10 That none but fools wear. Get rid of it.

It is my lady, O it is my love.

I wish she knew she was!

She speaks, yet she says nothing. What of that?

Her look also seems to say something: I will answer.

15 But I am too bold; it is not to me she speaks.

Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,

Because they have some business to take care of, ask her eyes

To twinkle in their places until they return.

What if her eyes were there?

20 The brightness of her cheeks would shame the stars

As daylight does a lamp; her eyes in heaven

Would stream through the sky so brightly

That birds would sing and think that it was not night.

See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

25 I wish that I were a glove on that hand

So that I could touch that cheek.”

Juliet sighs, and Romeo says,

“She speaks. Speak again bright angel!

30 You are as glorious to this sky that is over my head,

As an angel from heaven

That people look up and see

Standing over the clouds

And sailing across the sky.”

36 Juliet, unaware that Romeo is in the garden below her balcony and able to hear

whatever she says, begins to speak.

“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? (Why is that your name?—meaning

why are you a Montague?)

40 Deny thy father and refuse thy name!

Or if you won’t, swear that you love me,

And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Romeo wonders, “Should I listen to more, or shall I speak and let her know I’m

here now.”

45 Juliet continues,

“It’s only your name that is my enemy.

You are yourself, not a Montague.

What’s a Montague? It’s not a hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

50 That makes up a man. Please have some other name!

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

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By any other name would smell as sweet.

So Romeo, even if he were not named Romeo,

Would still be the perfect person he is,

55 Even without the name. Romeo, get rid of your name,

And in exchange for that name,

Which really has nothing to do with who you are,

Take all of me.

60 Romeo excitedly responds, “I believe you. If you will call me love, I’ll get a new

name and from here on I’ll never be Romeo again.”

Juliet is horrified, “Who are you, hidden in the shadows, who has been listening to

my private thoughts.”

Romeo says he doesn’t know how to answer because he hates his name because it

is an enemy to her. “If I had written the word, I would tear it.”

66 “I’ve only heard a few of your words and yet I think I recognize your voice. Aren’t

you Romeo, a Montague?”

“I won’t be either if you dislike either of those names,” Romeo

replied.

70 “How did you get here? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. This place

means death to you if any of my relatives would find you here.”

“With love’s light wings I did climb these walls,

Because stony limits cannot hold love out.

What love tries to do, it can accomplish.

75 Your relatives are no obstacle to me.”

Juliet warns, “But if they see you, they will kill you.”

“There’s more danger for me in your eyes that in twenty of their swords. If you

look sweetly at me, I will be protected against their hatred.”

Juliet says, “But I don’t for the world want them to see you here.”

80 “I have the coat of night to hide me from their sight.

And if you love me, I don’t care if they find me here.

It would be better for me to be killed by their hate than to die a lingering death

brought on by not having your love.”

“How did you find this place?”

85 “Love helped me find it by making me enquire where you lived. I’m no pilot, but

even if you were as far away as the shore touched by the farthest sea, I would try to find

such a treasure.”

Juliet says, “It’s only darkness that keeps you from seeing a blush on my cheeks

because of what you heard me say tonight. I would have behaved more properly if I had

known you were here, but it’s too late for good manners now. Do you love me? I know

you will say yes, but be careful of swearing your love. The king of the gods laughs at the

lies that lovers tell each other. If you do love me, just say it sincerely. Or if you think it

was too easy to win my love, I’ll frown and be difficult and tell you no so that you will

have to win my affection. But to tell you the truth, Montague, I’m too fond of you to do

that. You might think I’ve fallen in love with you too easily and that I am too forward, but

I’ll be truer to you than those who hide their feelings and play romantic games. I should

have played hard to get, but you overheard my true feelings before I was aware of your

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presence. Forgive me, and don’t think that my falling in love quickly means that my love

is not deep.”

97 Romeo says, “I love you. I swear by the moon that tips the fruit-tree tops with

silver—”

Juliet interrupts him saying, “Don’t swear by the moon that is so variable; it

changes its orbit every month. Your love might prove to be as variable as the moon.”

100 “What shall I swear by?”

“Don’t swear at all, or if you must, swear by yourself. You are the god I worship,

and I’ll believe you. Although I love you, I am worried that we have rushed love too much

tonight. It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden; it is too like the lightning that comes and

then is quickly gone. This bud of love may be a beautiful flower the next time we meet.

Good night. I hope you rest as sweetly and peacefully as I will.”

106 “Wait, are you going to leave me so unsatisfied tonight? Please give me your

faithful promise in exchange for mine.”

“But I gave you my promise even before you asked for it. My bounty is as

boundless as the sea; my love is as deep; the more I give to you, the more I have because it

is infinite. Wait, I hear a noise.” The nurse calls Juliet and she goes inside.

111 Romeo, alone, cannot contain his feelings, “O wonderful night! It’s too good to be

true. Maybe since it is night, it has all been a dream.”

Juliet returns, “Three words, Romeo. If your love is honorable and your intentions

are marriage, send me a message tomorrow by a messenger I’ll send to you. Tell me

where and when the marriage will be performed. All my fortunes I will lay at your feet,

and I will follow you throughout the world.” The nurse calls her again and as she leaves

she cautions Romeo, “If you do not mean well, stop courting me and leave me to my

sorrow. Tomorrow I will send the messenger. A thousand times good night.”

119 “A thousand times worse. Lovers meet as eagerly as schoolboys leave their books

and study, but lovers separate with the sadness of boys going to school.”

“Psst, Romeo. I wish I could speak your name loudly, but I must whisper or my

parents will hear. I’d love to keep repeating the name Romeo.”

“It is my love that calls my name like sweetest music.”

“What time should I send the messenger?”

125 “By nine o’clock,” Romeo replied.

“I will not fail. It seems like twenty years until then.” Romeo lingers there and

Juliet wants him to stay longer. Finally she says, “It is almost morning. I know you must

go, but I want you close to me like a pet bird that a thoughtless child lets hop a little ways

away and then pulls back with the string.”

130 “I wish I were that bird,” responds Romeo.

“So do I. But if I keep you here, it might mean your death. Good night, good

night! Parting is such sweet sorrow. That I shall say good night till it be morrow.” Juliet

goes inside.

As Romeo leaves he says, “Sleep and peace come to you. I wish I were that sleep

and peace. Now I will go to my priest’s room. I will ask his help and tell him my good

fortune.”

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Scene 3—Friar Laurence’s room in the monastery

Friar Laurence comes in with a basket. “Morning smiles on the frowning night.

Streaks of light are in the eastern clouds. Before the sun burns off the dew, I have to fill

this basket with weeds and flowers. The earth is a tomb where nature is buried. But it is

also the womb from which many different plants grow. And we find that each one has

something that it is good for. Nothing from the earth is so evil that it does no good. And

none is so good that it can’t be used in the wrong way. Here is a small flower that if

smelled, its fragrance can improve health in each part of the body. But if eaten, it causes

death. Plants contain both good and evil; men, like plants, contain good and evil also.

And if evil is the stronger force, death comes.”

9 As Romeo enters, the priest gives his blessing, “God bless you. Why are you here

so early? Only a disturbed mind would make you get up so early. Old people may have

trouble sleeping, but it is not normal for someone as young as you. Or have you been up

all night?”

“The last is true, and there couldn’t have been a sweeter rest.”

“Were you with Rosaline?”

“Rosaline? I have forgotten that name and the sorrow it brought.”

15 “That’s good, but where have you been?”

Romeo says he will tell the Friar before he asks again. “I was partying with my

enemy when I fell in love with someone as she fell in love with me. It is in your power to

help us both. My heart is set on the fair daughter of Capulet. And hers is set on mine.

You must join us in holy marriage. I’ll tell you when, where, and how we met, courted,

and exchanged promises as we talk. But please agree to marry us today.”

21 “Holy Saint Francis! What a change! Have you forgotten Rosaline who you loved

so much? Young men don’t just love from the heart. They love what the eye sees. How

many tears have you cried for Rosaline? It wasn’t very long ago; I still see signs of the

tears on your cheek. Those tears were for Rosaline. Have you changed? Are men so

weak?

25 “But you often scolded me for loving Rosaline and suggested I forget about that

love.”

“I didn’t tell you to forget loving Rosaline so you could find another love so

quickly.”

Romeo tells the friar, “But this love feels the same way about me that I do about

her. Rosaline never loved me in return.”

“Rosaline knew that you didn’t know what real love is. But come with me. I’ll

help you. This marriage may have some unexpected good by turning the feud between

your two families into love.”

31 “O let’s hurry.”

The friar cautions, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”

Scene 4—A street

Several hours later, Benvolio and Mercutio are walking down the street talking

about Romeo. Mercutio says, “Where the devil is Romeo? Didn’t he go home last night?”

“Not to his father’s house; I talked to his servant.”

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“It’s because that hard-hearted Rosaline torments him so much he goes crazy.”

5 Benvolio has important news, “Tybalt, the relative of Capulet has sent a message to

the Montague house challenging Romeo to a duel.” Benvolio is certain that Romeo will

respond to the challenge and fight Tybalt.

Mercutio says, "Poor Romeo. He's already dead. He's been given a black eye by

Rosaline, his ear has been shot through with a love song, and Cupid has wounded him right

in the heart with a dull arrow. What shape is he in to fight Tybalt?"

11 "What kind of fighter is Tybalt?" asks Benvolio.

"He uses the latest style of sword fighting."

Benvolio spots Romeo coming, and Mercutio scolds Romeo, "You really gave us

the slip last night."

15 "I'm sorry. But I had important business and surely you'll excuse me in such a

circumstance."

Mercutio and Romeo joke back and forth. Mercutio notices Romeo is in a better mood and

is glad that he is.

The Nurse and Peter, her servant, come down the street. The Nurse in all of her

petticoats looks like a huge ship coming. So Mercutio, the joker, yells, “A sail, a sail.”

The nurse tells Peter to hand her her fan. Mercutio makes fun of her by saying, “Yes,

Peter. Give it to her so she can hide her face behind it because her fan is more attractive

than she is.”

23 The Nurse addresses the group, “Good morning, gentlemen. Can any of you tell

me where I may find young Romeo?”

Romeo identifies himself,f and the Nurse tells him she needs to talk to him.

Mercutio and Benvolio laugh and make fun of her. Finally Mercutio says he and Benvolio

will leave to go to dinner and will meet Romeo at his home later.

28 “Farewell,” said the nurse. “Who was that man who was so full of jokes?”

“A man who loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute that he will

listen to in a month.”

“Well,” said the Nurse, “if a man says anything against me, I’ll take him down or

find someone who will. What a rude man! I’m not one of his loose women or gangsters.”

Then she scolds Peter for standing by and letting Mercutio insult her. “I’m so upset that

every part of me quivers. But, Romeo, I need to talk to you. I told you that my young lady

sent me to find you. What she told me to say I’m going to keep to myself. But first let me

warn you that if you lead her on, that would be a very gross kind of behavior. She is

young; therefore, misleading her would be very wrong.”

37 “Nurse, speak highly of me to your lady. I protest your suspicions.”

“I’ll tell her that, and she will be a joyful woman,” said the Nurse.

“Tell her to find some excuse to go to confession at Friar Laurence’s room this

afternoon, and there we will be married. Here, take this money for your trouble. Behind

the abbey wall my servant will meet you within this hour to bring a rope ladder that I can

use tonight to climb to Juliet’s room. Farewell, be trustworthy, and I’ll reward your

trouble.”

43 “Is your servant to be trusted? You’ve heard the saying that two can keep a secret,

but not three.”

Romeo replies, “Of course, I can trust him.”

R & J Adapted 12 1/28/2014

“Well, sir, my mistress is the sweetest lady. There is a nobleman in town, Paris,

who wants to marry her. But she would rather look at a toad than him. I anger her

sometimes by saying that Paris is the properer man, but when I say so, she looks pale.”

49 “Speak highly of me to your lady,” Romeo says.

“Peter, take my fan and lead the way home.”

Scene 5—Capulet’s Orchard

Juliet is a nervous wreck. “It was 9:00 when I sent the nurse. She promised to be

back in half an hour. Maybe she can’t meet him—No! O, she is lame! Love’s messengers

ought to be thoughts that travel ten times faster than sunbeams get rid of shadows. But it’s

12:00 now—three hours, and she still has not returned. If she had affection and

youthfulness, she would be moving as fast as a ball tossed back and forth between my love

and me. But old folks—many act as if they’re dead—slow, heavy, and pale as lead. O,

here she comes. O, honey Nurse, what is the news? Did you meet him? Send your

servant away so that we can talk. O, sweet Nurse, why do you look so sad? If your news

is good, you’re teasing me with such a sour face.”

9 The Nurse torments Juliet by saying, “I’m tired. Let me rest awhile. I ache all over

because of the running back and forth I’ve been doing.”

“I wish you had my bones, and I had your news. Please, tell me what happened,

Nurse.”

“You’re in such a hurry! Can’t you wait a little? Don’t you see that I’m out of

breath?”

Juliet has lost patience, “You’re out of breath when you have breath! Your excuse

is longer that the news you have to tell. Is your news good or bad? Answer me now!”

15 “Romeo’s face is better that any man’s and his legs, hands, body are beyond

compare.”

Juliet says, “I knew all that. What did he say about our marriage?”

“O, I have such a headache and a back ache. Curse you for sending me out to run

your errand and make me endanger my health.”

“I’m sorry you’re not well, but please, sweet nurse, tell me what my love says.”

20 The Nurse still tormenting her says, “Your love says, like an honest gentleman, and

a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and a virtuous—Where’s your mother?”

“Where’s my mother? Why she is inside. Where should she be? How oddly you

reply! Your love says like an honest gentleman, where is your mother?”

“Are you so eager? Calm down. Is this the treatment I get for my pain? From now

on, run your own errands.”

26 “Please, what does Romeo say?”

“Do you have permission to go to confession today?”

“I have,” says Juliet.

29 “Then go quickly to Friar Laurence’s room. There you will find a husband who

wants to make you a wife. The color is coming back to your cheeks. Get to the church. I

must go another way to get the ladder that your love will use to climb to your room

tonight. I am the hard worker and work for you. Go. I’ll go to dinner. You go to Friar

Laurence’s.”

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Juliet leaves, saying, “I go to good fortune. Honest Nurse, farewell.”

Scene 6—Friar Laurence’s room

Romeo and Friar Laurence come in.

Friar Laurence says, “May heaven bless this act and not blame us for it in the

future!”

“Amen,” says Romeo. “No future sorrow can outweigh the joy that one minute in

her presence gives me. Marry us. Then I don’t care what death does. It is enough that I

may call her mine.”

5 “Calm down. These violent delights have violent ends. The sweetest honey

destroys the appetite. Therefore, love moderately. That is the way to make love last a long

time. Moving too fast is as bad as moving too slowly. Here comes the lady.”

Juliet says, “Good evening to my spiritual advisor.”

“Juliet, if you are as happy as I am and have more skill to proclaim it, sweeten the

air by singing of our happiness to the world.”

11 “True understanding doesn’t need any words. My love has grown so large that I

cannot add up even half of it,” declares Juliet.

Friar Laurence takes them to be married saying, “Come with me and we will take

care of this quickly. You shall not stay alone; the Holy Church will incorporate two into

one.

ACT THREE

Scene 1—A public place

Mercutio, Benvolio, and some servants are walking down the street. “Mercutio,

let’s go home. It’s hot; Capulets are out on the streets and if we meet them, we’ll not

escape a fight because this hot weather causes tempers to boil.”

4 Mercutio says, “What are you talking about? You’re just as hot tempered and

ready to pick a fight as anyone.” (Benvolio can’t understand what he’s talking about

because he is, as we have seen, a peace loving person. Mercutio is perhaps talking about

himself.) “You’ll quarrel with a man just because he has one hair more or less in his beard

than you do. You’ll argue with a man who is cracking nuts just because you have hazel

eyes. You’ve quarreled with a man for coughing in the street because he wakened your

dog that was lying asleep in the sun. Didn’t you argue with a man for tying old shoes with

new laces? Who are you to talk to me about quarreling?”

11 Tybalt and other Capulets come walking down the street. “Follow me close, men,

and I will speak to them. Good day, gentlemen. I want a word with one of you,” Tybalt

says.

Mercutio responds, “Only a word? Why don’t you put some punch in what you’re

saying?”

R & J Adapted 14 1/28/2014

“I’ll be glad to do that if you give me reason to. Mercutio, you band with Romeo.”

15 “Band? You think we’re a band? Well, here’s my fiddlestick (He draws his

sword).”

Benvolio, still the peacemaker, reminds the two that they are quarreling on a public

street and tells them either to go to some private place to settle their differences or separate

now instead of letting everyone look on while they argue. Mercutio says, “Let them look!

I’ll not budge for anyone.” Just then Romeo comes up to the group.

20 “Here’s the man I’m looking for. Romeo,” Tybalt says, “you are a villain.”

“Tybalt, I forgive your anger because I have reason to love you. But I see you do

not know who I really am. Farewell.” Romeo’s confusing response only makes Tybalt

angrier.

“Boy, this does not excuse the injuries you have done me. Turn and draw your

sword.”

“I protest,” says Romeo. “I never injured you. I love you better than you can

imagine until you know the reason I love you. And so Capulet—and that’s a name that is

as dear to me as my own—be satisfied.”

27 Mercutio is angry with Romeo because he thinks Romeo’s calm response shows he

is afraid to fight Tybalt. So Mercutio feels compelled to fight Tybalt. Romeo tries to stop

their fighting and encourages Benvolio to do so also. Romeo reminds them of the Prince’s

order about fighting in the streets. As Romeo manages to stop Mercutio, Tyblat stabs

Mercutio. Tybalt, realizing what has happened, runs off with his men.

32 Mercutio cries out, “I am hurt. A plague on both your houses. I am destroyed.”

When Benvolio asks if he is hurt, Mercutio tries to laugh it off saying, “Ay, ay, a scratch, a

scratch. But ‘tis enough.” He orders his servant to go get a surgeon.

35 Romeo tries to encourage him, “Be brave, the hurt cannot be much.”

“No, ‘tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door; but it is enough; it

will do. Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man. A plague on both your

houses. Why, Romeo, did you come between us? I was hurt while you held me back.

Help me into a house or I will faint. A plague on both your houses. They have made

worms meat out of me.” Benvolio helps him offstage.

40 “My true friend, the prince’s relative, is dying because of me,” says Romeo. My

reputation has been slandered by Tybalt who has been my relative for only an hour. My

actions, based on my love for Juliet, made me look weak.” Benvolio comes running back

to tell Romeo that Mercutio is dead. “This awful day will be followed by more of the

same,” is Romeo’s response.

Tybalt comes back in. Romeo is enraged. “He’s alive and in triumph while

Mercutio is dead? Get away, forgiveness. Fury is my conduct now. Tybalt, take back the

‘villain” that you called me just a little while ago. Mercutio’s soul is just above our heads

waiting for yours to keep him company. Either you or I or both of us must go with him.”

8 “You, wretched boy that was friends with him here on earth, shall go with him

now.”

Romeo says, “This will determine who goes with Mercutio,” as they begin to fight.

Tybalt falls dead.

Benvolio is upset. “Romeo! Don’t just stand there. Run. Citizens of town have

seen what happened. The Prince will sentence you to death if you are captured. Run.”

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As the Prince, the Capulets, and the Montagues enter, the Prince asks where the

people are that started this. Benvolio responds telling him that Tybalt lying dead there was

killed by Romeo because Tybalt killed Mercutio. Lady Capulet demands that the Prince

keep his word and sentence Romeo to death for killing her nephew.

17 The Prince wants to know who started the fight. Benvolio says, “Romeo talked to

Tybalt calmly. He tried to tell him how trivial the argument between them was and

reminded him of your orders about fighting. But Tybalt wouldn’t listen and he began to

fight with Mercutio, who was just as angry as he. Romeo tried to separate them and

pushed down their swords, but under Romeo’s arm Tyblat stabbed Mercutio. Tybalt fled,

but by and by he came back. And Romeo, for the first time thinking of revenge for the

death of Mercutio, stabbed Tybalt before I could separate them. As Tybalt fell, Romeo

turned and ran. I swear this is true, or let me die.”

24 Lady Capulet complains to the Prince, “He’s a Montague. Can you believe him? I

beg for justice, which thou, Prince, must give. Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live.”

“That’s not right, Prince. Romeo is guilty only of avenging Mercutio’s death,

which the law would have done anyway,” says Montague.

“And for that offense, we immediately exile him. I have an interest in the results of

your hatred. My relative has died because of your hate’s proceedings, and I’ll impose

such a severe penalty that you’ll all regret that my relative died. I’ll not listen to any

excuses, prayers, or pleadings, so don’t bother to use any. Romeo should leave

immediately because if he is found, he will be put to death.

Scene 2—Capulet’s orchard

Juliet enters. “Gallop, you fiery-footed horses that are pulling the sun across the

sky. Bring in the cloudy night immediately. Come, night, come. Come, Romeo, you day

in night. Here comes the nurse with the ladder Romeo had her get. What’s the news,

Nurse? Why do you wring your hands?”

“He’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead. We are undone! He’s gone, he’s killed, he’s

dead. O, Romeo, Romeo, who would have ever thought it? Romeo!”

6 Juliet cannot understand the nurse’s wailing. “What devil are you that torments me

so. This is torture. Has Romeo killed himself? Say ‘yes’ and it will kill me. I cannot live

if you say ‘yes.’ If he’s dead say yes, or if not, say ‘no;’ such brief sounds determine my

happiness or woe.”

Nurse continues raving, “I saw the wound—saw it with my own eyes—here on his

manly chest. A pitiful corpse, a bloody corpse, pale and all dabbed with blood. I fainted at

the sight.”

11 “O, break my heart. I’ll go to the earth and end my motion here. Romeo and I will

lie in one casket,” Juliet says sadly.

The Nurse continues, “O, Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I ever had! Courteous

Tybalt, what an honest gentleman! I’m sorry that I lived long enough to see you die.”

15 “What’s this that you’re saying so contrary to what you said before? Is Romeo

slaughtered, and is Tybalt dead? My dear cousin, and my dearer lord? Dreadful trumpet

sound the general doom. For who is living if those two are gone?

The Nurse finally speaks the news clearly. “ Tybalt is dead and Romeo banished.

Romeo killed Tybalt, and Romeo is banished.”

R & J Adapted 16 1/28/2014

20 “O, no. Did Romeo’s hand shed Tybalt’s blood?”

“It did, it did, o, terrible day, it did.”

Juliet expresses her conflicting emotions, “O, serpent heart, hidden behind a

flowering face! A dragon in a fair cave. Beautiful tyrant. Angelic devil. Just the opposite

of what you seemed. An evil saint, a trusted villain. I can’t believe that deceit lives in

such a gorgeous palace.”

25 The Nurse agrees, “There’s no trust, no faith, no honesty in men. They all lie and

pretend. These sorrows make me old. I hope shame comes to Romeo!”

“I hope your tongue blisters for such a remark! Romeo was not born to shame.

Shame refuses to sit on his forehead. His forehead is a place where honor is crowned.”

The Nurse is amazed, “Are you speaking well of the man that just killed your

cousin?”

30 “Should I speak badly of my husband? I’m sorry that having been his wife for only

three hours I mangled his name. But why did he kill my cousin? That cousin would have

killed my husband. Why am I crying? My husband lives, and he that would have killed

my husband is dead. All this is good news. Why am I crying then? But I remember some

word that was worse than Tybalt’s death. I want to forget that I heard it, but it keeps

pressing its way back into my memory. Tybalt is dead and

Romeo—banished. That one word is worse than killing ten thousand Tybalts. If word of

Tybalt’s death had been followed by word that my parents had died, I would have felt

normal, expected grief. But to follow the news of Tybalt with word of Romeo’s

banishment creates a sorrow so deep it cannot be expressed in words. Where are my father

and my mother, Nurse?”

39 “Weeping and wailing over Tybalt’s corpse. Will you go to them?”

“Are they washing Tybalt’s wounds with their tears. I will save mine for Romeo’s

banishment. Nurse, pull up the rope that was meant for Romeo to climb to my room. I’ll

die a widow without being a wife. Death, not Romeo, will be my husband.”

44 “Get to your room. I’ll find Romeo to comfort you. I know where he is. He will

be here tonight. I’ll go to him; he is hidden at Friar Laurence’s.”

“O, find him! Give this ring to my true knight and tell him to come say his last

farewell.”

Scene 3—Friar Laurence’s room

Friar Laurence enters and Romeo is hiding. “Romeo, come out. Trouble follows

you everywhere.”

“Father, what is the news? What is the Prince’s sentence? What sorrow is there

that I don’t know of yet?”

5 “You are too familiar with such sorrow. I bring you news of the Prince’s decision.

A gentler judgment came from his lips—nobody’s death, but a body’s banishment.”

R & J Adapted 17 1/28/2014

“Banishment? Be merciful and say ‘death.’ Exile is worse than death; do not say

banishment.”

Father Laurence says rationally, “You are banished from Verona, but be patient.

The world is broad and wide.”

10 “There is no world without Verona—only torture and hell. Therefore being

banished from Verona is being banished from the world. Being exiled away from Juliet is

worse than death, yet you smile at my misfortune.”

The priest is angry, “How ungrateful you are! Your crime calls for death, but the

kind Prince stood up for you and brushed the law aside. He changed the black word death

to banishment. That is mercy, but you do not see it.

16 “It is torture, not mercy. Heaven is here where Juliet lives. Every cat, dog, mouse,

or unworthy creature can look at her, but Romeo cannot. Even the flies that live off dead

carcasses can land on the lovely white hands of Juliet and steal blessings from her lips.

But Romeo cannot—he is banished. And still you say that exile is not death? Couldn’t

you have killed me with poison or a knife instead of with that word?

21 “Foolish one, listen to me. I’ll give you comfort and counseling as a way to

overcome this hardship.”

“Forget about your comfort and counseling unless you can make a Juliet, move a

town, and reverse a prince’s decision. Your comfort won’t help. Don’t bother.”

25 The friar is angry, “I see that foolish people won’t listen.”

“You can’t understand because you haven’t been through what I have. Suppose

you were as young as I am and Juliet was your love. You’d only been married an hour

when Tybalt was killed and you were banished. Then you might understand. You’d tear

your hair and fall on the ground like I do now measuring my grave. (A knock on the door

is heard.)

30 “Hide yourself, Romeo.” But Romeo continues to lie on the ground ignoring the

friar’s pleas to hide himself because he doesn’t care if he’s captured or if he lives or dies.

However, it is the Nurse who is at the door.

When the friar shows her Romeo lying on the floor, she says, “He’s just like my

young lady. She lies just like that blubbering and weeping, weeping and blubbering.

Stand up! Stand up! If you’re a man, for Juliet’s sake rise and stand. Why are you in such

deep grief?”

36 Romeo asks about Juliet. “Did you mention Juliet? How is she? Does she think

I’m an old murderer? I’ve ruined the beginnings of our joy with blood of her relative.

Where is she? How is she? What does my concealed lady say about our canceled love?”

“She says nothing, sir, but weeps and weeps. She falls down on her bed; then gets

up. She calls for Tybalt, cries for Romeo, then falls down again.”

41 “She falls down as if the name ‘Romeo’ shot from a gun murdered her—the hand

of that name murdered her relative. Friar, tell me in what part of my body does that hateful

name live and I’ll cut it out,” says Romeo as he draws his dagger.

44 “Stop,” says the friar. “You’re not acting like a man. You look like one, but your

tears are like a woman’s and your actions are wild like an animal’s. You amaze me. Will

you kill yourself and kill Juliet too by committing suicide? You are refusing to make good

use of your advantages just as a miser refuses to spend his money. Count your blessings

instead of feeling sorry for yourself. Juliet is alive; be happy about that. Tybalt wanted to

kill you, but you killed Tybalt. Be happy about that. The law says you should die, but

R & J Adapted 18 1/28/2014

you’ve been exiled instead. Be happy about that. A pack of blessings come to you and

happiness is all around you, but you pout. Be careful; people like that die miserable. Go

to Juliet. Climb up to her room and comfort her, but leave before the guards take their

places at the city gates, or you’ll not be able to escape to Mantua. You’ll stay there until

we can find the right time to announce your marriage, get your families to quit their feud,

ask the prince to pardon you, and have you return to a situation twenty thousand times

happier than the present one. Go on home, Nurse. Tell Juliet to encourage everyone to go

to bed early, which shouldn’t be hard because of their grief. Romeo is coming.”

57 “O, Lord. I could have stayed here all night. What good advice! I’ll tell Juliet her

love is coming.”

“Tell Juliet to get ready to scold me for the way I have behaved.”

“Here is a ring she told me to give you,” says the Nurse.

“This revives me.”

62 The friar gives his final instructions, “Go; good night. Here’s what your fate

depends on. Be gone before the guards go on duty or leave by the break of day in disguise.

Stay in Mantua awhile. I’ll find your servant and send messages to you about what good

things are happening here. It is late. Farewell and good night.”

Scene 4—Capulet’s house

Paris, Lady Capulet, and Lord Capulet enter and Lord Capulet speaks. “Such

terrible things have happened that we haven’t had time to persuade Juliet to think about

your marriage proposal. She loved Tybalt dearly and so did I. It is very late and she’ll not

come down tonight. I promise you if it hadn’t been for your company, I would have been

in bed a long time ago.”

5 Paris understands, “These sad times are not good times to talk of marriage.” Lady

Capulet promises to find out what Juliet thinks of marriage to Paris tomorrow morning

since Juliet is so sad and upset tonight. Just as Paris is about to leave, Capulet changes his

mind and calls him back.

“I’m going to make a pledge of my child’s love. I think she’ll listen to me; in fact,

I’m certain of it. Wife, talk to her tonight before you go to bed and tell her about Paris’s

love and tell her that—what day is this?”

11 Paris answers, “Monday.”

“Well, Wednesday is too soon. Let’s say Thursday. Tell her that on Thursday she

will be married to this noble man. Will you be ready? Do you like this rush? The

wedding won’t be a big ceremony. Tybalt was killed so recently that if we celebrate too

much it will look like we didn’t really care for him. We’ll only have a half dozen friends.

Is Thursday agreeable with you?”

16 Paris is eager, “I wish Thursday were tomorrow.”

“Wife, go to Juliet before you go to bed. Prepare her for this wedding day. It’s so

late that we may be calling it early before too long. Good night.”

Scene 5—Capulet’s orchard

It is before daylight, and Romeo is preparing to leave Juliet as the friar instructed.

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Juliet says, “Are you leaving? It’s not near daylight yet. That was the nightingale

that sings at night. It wasn’t the lark that sings in daylight. Believe me, it was the

nightingale.”

“It was the lark, the sign of morning. Look, there are streaks of light in the east.

Night’s candles are burned out and day stands on tiptoe on the misty mountaintops. I must

be gone and live or stay and die.”

7 Juliet pleads, “That light is not daylight. I know it. It’s some meteor that the sun

has sent to act as a torchbearer for you on your way to Mantua. Therefore, stay; you do not

need to be gone.

“Let me be taken and put to death. I’m happy if that is what you want. I’ll say the

light is not the morning and that the singing is not the lark. I have more care to stay than

will to go. Come, death. Juliet wants you to come. Let’s keep talking; it is not day.”

Now Juliet changes her mind, “It is, it is! Quickly, leave, run away. It is the lark,

the bird of the morning. Some say the lark is sweet, but she’s not because she is dividing

us. Be gone. It is growing more and more light.”

15 “More and more light—more dark and dark our woes!”

The Nurse announces, “Madam, your lady mother is coming to your room. The

day has broken; be careful.”

Juliet says, “Window let day in and life out.”

“Farewell, farewell! One kiss, and I’ll descend.” Romeo starts down the ladder.

20 “I must hear from you every day. In a minute there are many days. By this count

I’ll be very old before I see my Romeo.”

“Farewell, I won’t miss any opportunity to send my greetings and love to you.”

“Do you think we’ll ever meet again?” asks Juliet.

“I have no doubt that all these woes now only mean sweet times to come.”

25 “O, I have an awful vision—you look like one dead at the bottom of a tomb. Either

my eyesight is failing or you look pale,” says Juliet distraught.

“Trust me, love, you look pale too. Sorrow drains blood from the heart. Good by.”

Romeo leaves. Just then Lady Capulet calls.

“Daughter, are you up?”

30 “Who is it that calls? It is my mother. Is she up early or going to bed late? What

unusual reason brings her to my room at this time?”

Lady Capulet enters. “How are you, Juliet?”

“I’m not well.”

“Are you still crying about Tybalt? Do you think your tears will be able to wash

him out of his grave? Even if you did that, you couldn’t bring him back to life, so stop

crying. A certain amount of grief shows much love, but too much grief shows a lack of

good sense.”

37 “Let me continue to weep.”

“You should weep because your cousin’s murderer, Romeo lives. We will have

vengeance for his death, fear not. I’ll send one to Mantua to give him a poison so that he

will soon keep Tybalt company. Then I hope you will be satisfied. But now I’ll tell you

joyful news.”

41 “Joy comes well in such a sorrowful time. What is the joyful news?”

R & J Adapted 20 1/28/2014

“You have a very wise father. To pull you out of your grief he has planned a day

of joy that you are not expecting. Early Thursday morning the gallant Paris at Saint Peter’s

Church will make you a joyful bride.”

45 Juliet refuses, “He’ll not make me a joyful bride. What is the rush? He has not

come to court me. Tell my father I will not marry yet.”

“Here comes your father; tell him yourself. See how he takes the news from you.”

Capulet and Nurse come in. Capulet says, “Are you a fountain, girl? Still crying?

Wife, have you told her our decision?”

50 “Yes, sir. But she refuses. I wish she were married to her grave.”

Capulet is puzzled, “Let me understand you. She thanks me, but she refuses?

Doesn’t she count her blessings that as unworthy as she is we have managed to find so

worthy a man for her husband?”

“I’m not pleased, but I’m thankful for your intentions,” says Juliet.

55 Capulet is furious. “Thank me no thankings. Just prepare yourself for Thursday to

go to Saint Peter’s Church or I will drag you there. You are an anemic piece of dead flesh

and a coward!”

“Father, I beg you. Hear me. Let me speak.”

“Disobedient wretch! Get to church on Thursday, or never look me in the face

again. Don’t speak. Wife, we thought we were blest because we had this one child. But

now I see it is one child too many. It is a curse to have her, this good-for-nothing person.”

61 The Nurse stands up for Juliet, “God in heaven bless her. You are the one to

blame, sir, if you value her so.”

“Peace, you mumbling fool. Save your words for a gathering of gossips. We don’t

need it here.”

65 Lady Capulet says to Lord Capulet, “You are angry.”

“It makes me mad. Day and night I have tried to find Juliet a good match. And

now that I have found a princely gentleman, she says ‘I’ll not wed. I cannot love.’ If you

don’t marry, you’ll not live at my house. I’m not joking. Thursday is near. If you do not

marry Paris, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, but I’ll never acknowledge you. You’ll

never inherit what I have. I will not break my promise to Paris.” He stalks off.

71 Juliet is distraught, “Is there no pity in the clouds that sees the depth of my grief?

Mother, don’t cast me away. Delay this marriage for a month, a week. Or make my

marriage bed in the tomb where Tybalt lies.

Lady Capulet’s heart is cold, “Don’t talk to me, for I’ll not say a word. Do what

you want; I’m done with you.”

76 “O, Nurse, how can this be prevented? My husband is on earth. How can I marry

another? Comfort me; counsel me. What a trick heaven is playing on me! Don’t you have

a word of joy or some comfort?”

“ Here it is. Romeo is banished and he dares not return to claim you. Or if he does,

it must be secretly. So I think it is best that you marry Paris. He’s a lovely man. Romeo is

a dishcloth compared to him. Not even an eagle has a greener, quicker, or fairer eye than

Paris. I think you are lucky in this second match; it is better than your first. Even if it isn’t

better, your first is dead or as good as dead since he’s no use to you.”

84 “Are you speaking from your heart?”

“And my soul too.”

R & J Adapted 21 1/28/2014

“Well you have comforted me much,” says Juliet sarcastically. “Go in and tell my

mother I am gone. I have gone to confession at Friar Laurence’s because I have displeased

my father.”

“I’ll tell her. That is wise.” She leaves.

89 Now Juliet can say what she really thinks. “Old devil, wicked person! She wants

me to break my marriage vow. She criticizes Romeo with the same tongue that just a day

ago was praising him. Get away nurse. You and I from now on will be separated. I’ll go

to the friar to know his solution. If all else fails, I have the power to die.

ACT FOUR

Scene 1—Friar Laurence’s room

Friar Laurence and Paris are talking. Friar Laurence is surprised. “On Thursday?

Isn’t that very soon?”

Paris replies, “Her father wants it that way and I am not against it.”

“You say you don’t know how the young lady feels? That is a difficult plan. I

don’t like it.”

5 Paris explains, “She’s crying so much over Tybalt’s death that I haven’t talked

much of love.

Love isn’t appropriate in a house of sadness. Her father is worried because she’s so

sorrowful, so, in his wisdom, he’s hurrying along our marriage to stop her sorrow. He’s

hoping the sorrow that she’s been feeling as she spends so much time alone will be ended

by companionship. Now you know why he’s hurrying the wedding.”

10 The Friar says to himself, “I wish I didn’t know why the marriage ought to be

delayed.” Then aloud he says, “Here comes the young lady toward my room.”

Paris greets Juliet, “I’m happy to see you, my lady and my wife.”

Juliet chooses her responses carefully to avoid lying but to avoid telling her secret,

“That may be sir, when I am your wife.”

15 Paris says, “That will be on Thursday, love.”

“What must be, shall be,” is Juliet’s response.

“Do you come to confess to the Father, Juliet?”

“To answer that, I’d have to confess to you.”

“Don’t fail to tell him that you love me.”

20 Juliet says, “I’ll tell you that I love him.”

“I’m sure in the same way you’ll say you love me.”

“If I do say that, it would be more valuable if I said it behind your back than to

your face.”

“Juliet, poor thing, your face has been destroyed with tears.”

“The tears haven’t ruined my face. It wasn’t that beautiful before the tears did their

damage.”

25 “You’re harming your face more by saying that than the tears have harmed it.”

“I spoke the truth, and it’s my face that I can speak about that way,” says Juliet.

Paris objects, “Your face is mine (because she will soon be his wife), and insulting

it, insults me.”

Juliet cleverly replies, “That may be so. It is not mine.”

30 Father, are you available now or shall I come to you at evening mass?”

R & J Adapted 22 1/28/2014

“I am free now. Sir, we must ask you to leave us alone.”

“God forbid that I interfere. Juliet, on Thursday I will wake you up early. Till

then, goodbye, and here’s a holy kiss.” And Paris leaves.

“O, shut the door! And when you have done that, come and weep with me—I’m

past hope, past cure, past help.”

36 Friar Laurence understands her grief, “Ah, Juliet, I already know your grief. I hear

that you must marry Paris on Thursday.”

Juliet pleads, “Don’t tell me that you have heard this, Friar, unless you can tell me

how to prevent it. If with your wisdom you can’t give me any help, then only tell me this

is a good plan and I’ll use this knife to bring it about. God joined Romeo’s and my hearts

and our hands. And before this hand, which you sealed to Romeo’s, signs another

marriage agreement or my heart turns to another, I will use this knife to kill myself. If you

with your years of experience can’t help me, I’ll end my sufferings and solve the problem

myself. Don’t take too long to speak. I long to die if you cannot find a solution.”

45 “Wait, Juliet, I do see a kind of hope. If you are desperate enough to kill yourself,

then you’ll try the desperate solution I have in mind. If you dare, I’ll give you a solution.”

“I would rather leap from the top of that tower, or walk where thieves are, or hide

where snakes are, or be chained to roaring bears, or be shut up in a room with dead bodies

and be covered with their bones, or lie down in a new grave with a dead man than marry

Paris. I will do things that would have made me tremble before in order to remain true to

my Romeo.”

51 “All right. Go home. Be happy. Agree to marry Paris. Wednesday night, be sure

that you go to bed alone—don’t let the nurse sleep in your room. Take this small bottle

(vial) and when you are in bed, drink its contents. Shortly, all through your veins will run

a cold and drowsy feeling. Your pulse will stop, and you will turn cold and stiff as if you

were dead. This condition will last forty-two hours. Then you will wake up as if you’ve

been in a pleasant sleep. When Paris comes to wake you Thursday morning, he’ll think

you’re dead. As is custom in our country, in your best clothes, uncovered on the funeral

pallet, you will be taken to the ancient tomb where all the Capulets lie. In the meantime, I

shall send letters to Romeo to let him know what we are doing. He’ll come here, and he

and I will watch you wake up. That very night he will take you to Mantua. That will solve

the present problem with Paris if you have the courage to go through with it.”

61 “Give it to me; give it to me! Don’t tell me to be brave.”

“Listen, go home. Be strong and prosperous. I’ll send a messenger to Mantua with

letters to Romeo.”

“Lord give me strength. Strength will give help. Farewell, Father.”

Scene 2—Capulet’s house

Capulet is making plans for the wedding. He gives a list of people to invite to a

servant (Maybe this time it will be a servant who can read.) Another servant he orders to

go hire twenty cooks. The servant promises to hire only cooks who will eat their own

cooking. Lord Capulet finds out that Juliet has gone to Friar Laurence’s. “I hope he’s

been able to reason with her; silly, stubborn girl that she is.” To Juliet he says, “How are

you, my stubborn daughter? Where have you been wandering around?”

R & J Adapted 23 1/28/2014

7 “I’ve been where I have learned to repent of my disobedience to you and your

requests. The holy Friar told me to fall down in front of you and beg your pardon. From

here on, I will listen to you.”

Capulet is ecstatic. “Send for Paris. Go tell him this. We’ll have the wedding

tomorrow (Wednesday).

Juliet says, “I met him at Friar Laurence’s and I spoke to him the amount of love I

thought appropriate.”

“I’m glad. This is well. Stand up. This is the way it should be. Go fetch Paris.

Now I say the whole city is indebted to the holy Friar.”

16 Juliet asks for the Nurse’s help to get the appropriate clothes ready for tomorrow.

Lady Capulet reminds Capulet that moving up the wedding by a day means that they do

not have enough on hand for the celebration.

He’s not worried, “Shhhh, I’ll take care of that. You go to Juliet and help her. I’ll

not go to bed tonight; I’ll play the housewife this once. I’ll go to Paris myself. My heart is

very light since this wayward girl has been reclaimed.”

Scene 3—Juliet’s bedroom

Juliet and the Nurse come in discussing Juliet’s clothing. Then Juliet says, “Nurse

let me have my room to myself tonight. I need many prayers to make heaven smile upon

my situation. You know that it is cross and full of sin.” Juliet’s mother comes in to check

to see if she needs anything. Juliet tells her that she and the nurse have selected the proper

clothes and that she’d rather the nurse help Lady Capulet with last minute preparations

than to spend the night with her.

6 As the Nurse and Lady Capulet leave, Juliet says, “Farewell. God knows when we

shall meet again. I have a faint cold fear running through my veins that almost freezes up

the heat of life. I’ll call them back to comfort me—but what would they do here? I need

to act alone. Come, bottle. What if this mixture does not work at all? Will I have to be

married tomorrow morning then? No! This shall prevent that. (She lays down a dagger.)

11 What if this is a poison that the friar mixed to kill me so that he does not get in

trouble for performing my marriage to Romeo? I think it probably is—yet it probably is

not. He is a loyal and trustworthy holy man.

14 What if I wake up before Romeo comes to claim me? That’s a scary thought.

Won’t I suffocate in a tomb that has only foul, unhealthy air in it to breathe?

Or what if I do manage to stay alive? Isn’t it likely that the horror of death and

night in a tomb filled with the bodies and bones of all my buried ancestors, including

Tybalt who has just recently been put there, will drive me crazy and I’ll bash my own

brains with a big bone of some relative?

19 O, look, I think I see the ghost of Tybalt looking for Romeo. Stop, Tybalt, stop.

Romeo, I come. I drink this to you.” She drinks the contents of the vial and falls upon her

bed.

R & J Adapted 24 1/28/2014

Scene 4—Capulet’s house

It is now the next morning, nearly time for the wedding. The household is happy

and excited as everyone makes final preparations. Lady Capulet and the nurse are in the

room where baking is done discussing spices and dates for the pastries. Lord Capulet is

trying to get everyone to wake up and encouraging the cooks to check on the meat and to

spare no cost in the preparations. The nurse teases him about doing housewives’ work by

supervising the preparations and encourages him to get some sleep, but he says he has

stayed up all night before for less important reasons and had no ill effects.

7 Lady Capulet teases him about being a woman chaser in his younger days saying

she will keep an eye on him now, and he accuses her of jealousy. Finally, Lord Capulet

says it is almost time for Paris to arrive and, in fact, he thinks he hears him. He tells the

Nurse to go waken Juliet and help her get ready while he goes to talk to Paris.

Scene 5—Juliet’s bedroom

“Lady! Juliet! You sleepyhead!” the Nurse calls Juliet. Why, bride! How sound

asleep she is! I’ll have to wake her. Are you all dressed and lying back down again?

Lady! Lady! Help! Help! My lady’s dead! O, terrible day that I ever was born! Lord

Capulet! Lady!”

Lady Capulet comes in and sees Juliet’s dead body that the Nurse has found. “My

child, my only life! Revive, look up, or I will die with you. Help! Call help!”

6 Lord Capulet comes in. “Hurry up, Juliet. Your lord has come.” The Nurse and

Lady Capulet both tell him that she is dead. He examines her and says, “Her blood is

settled and her joints are stiff. These lips show that life left her a long time ago. Death lies

on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field. Death that has taken

her from here makes me wail and ties up my tongue and will not let me speak.”

11 Friar Laurence and Paris and musicians come in ready for the wedding. The Friar

asks if the bride is ready to go to the church.

Capulet replies, “She’s ready to go to the church, but she’ll never return. O, son,

the night before your wedding day, death married your wife. She lies there dead as he left

her. Death is my son-in-law; Death is my heir. He married my daughter. I will die, and

he can have everything—life, living, it all belongs to Death.”

17 Paris is shocked, “I’ve waited for this morning, and this is what I see?”

Lady Capulet wails, “Cursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day. I have only one

poor and loving child, just one thing to rejoice and find comfort in, and Death took it from

me.”

20 The Nurse then joins in, “O, woe! O, woeful day. There never was a day so black

as this.”

Paris says, “Tricked, divorced, wronged, spited, killed! I have been tricked by

death!”

“My child is dead, and with my child my joys are buried,” Lord Capulet says.

“Peace,” says Friar Laurence. “The cure for disaster cannot be found in cries of

grief. You and heaven once shared Juliet. Now heaven has all of her. All you ever

wanted was the best for her. Now she is in heaven. What could be better than that? It is

best to die young, when the soul is still pure and without sin. Do what is customary—put

R & J Adapted 25 1/28/2014

the herb rosemary on the corpse and take her in her finest clothes to church. Even though

it is natural to cry at this time, common sense tells us that we should be rejoicing for the

dead.”

29 Lord Capulet says, “All of the arrangements we had made for the wedding we will

use for the funeral. Our wedding cheer will become a sad burial feast. Our hymns will

become funeral marches; the bridal flowers will lie on the corpse.”

Friar Laurence takes charge, “ All of you go. Everyone prepare to follow this fair

corpse to her grave. The heavens frown on you for some wrong you have done. Don’t

tempt them by refusing to accept Juliet’s death.” The family and the Friar leave.

After the tragedy of Juliet’s “death,” Shakespeare injects a light and witty

conversation between the servant Peter and the musicians to serve as comic relief—to

relieve the tension created by Juliet’s death. Peter and the musicians make jokes and puns

involving notes of the musical scale, and they insult each other.

ACT FIVE

Scene 1—A street in Mantua

Romeo is walking down the street talking to himself, “If I can trust my dreams,

something joyful is about to happen. My heart is happy and I am content. I dreamed that

Juliet came and found me dead. She breathed such life into me with kisses that I was

revived and was an emperor. How wonderful love is to possess when even the shadows of

love are rich in joy!” Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, enters and Romeo questions him,

“News from Verona? Do you bring me a letter from the Friar? How is my lady? Is my

father well? How is Juliet? I’ll ask that again because nothing can be wrong if she is

well.”

8 “She is well; although her body sleeps in Capulet’s tomb, her immortal part lives

with the angels. I saw her myself being put in the family tomb and came quickly to tell

you. Pardon me for bringing this bad news, but you gave me the duty of bringing

important news to you.”

“Is it even so? Then I defy you, stars. Get me ink and paper. Hire horses. I’m

going there tonight.”

13 Balthasar pleads, “Please, sir. Be patient. You look pale and wild and suggest that

something bad will happen.”

Romeo says, “Well, you’re mistaken. Leave now and do what I have asked you to.

Do you have any letters for me from the Friar?” When Balthasar answers no, Romeo

sends him off to make the arrangements he had mentioned earlier, promising to join him

shortly.

17 “Well, Juliet. I will lie with you tonight. Let me find a way to join Juliet in death.

I do remember an apothecary (pharmacist) that lives around here. He looked poor, wearing

his ragged clothes as he sorted his herbs. He looked like misery had worn him to the bone

with his gaunt face and heavy eyebrows. In his poor shop a tortoise hung, a stuffed

alligator, and other skins of odd-shaped fish. On the shelves were a small number of

empty boxes, green earthen pots, musty seeds, and old cakes of roses thinly scattered

about. Noting this poverty, I said to myself, ‘If a man needs a poison whose sale is illegal

in Mantua, here is a miserable person who would probably break the law to sell it for the

R & J Adapted 26 1/28/2014

money.’ I had this thought just a few days ago, and now this needy person must sell me

poison. If I remember right, this should be the house, but it is closed because it is a

holiday.” So he calls out to the apothecary, who wants to know who is yelling so loudly

for him.

27 Romeo answers, “Come here, man. I see you are poor. Here are forty ducats (gold

coins—a large sum). Let me have a fast-acting poison that will spread through my veins

and cause me to fall dead as quickly as a cannon ball is shot from the cannon.”

30 “I have such deadly drugs, but in Mantua selling them is a crime punishable by

death.”

“You live in such misery you really have no reason to fear the law or death.

Improve your situation by selling me the poison.”

“I’ll sell you the poison for the money, not because I think it is right.”

“I’m not paying your conscience.”

35 “Put this poison in any liquid and drink it. If you had the strength of twenty men, it

would still kill you instantly.”

“There is your gold. Gold is a worse poison to men’s souls. Gold does more

murders in this world than these poor substances that you sell. I’m the one that has given

you poison, instead of you giving me poison. Goodbye. Buy food and put on some

weight. Come, healthy drink, not poison, go with me to Juliet’s grave, for there I must use

you.”

Scene 2—Friar Laurence’s room in Verona

Friar John enters Friar Laurence’s room and greets Friar Laurence, “Hello, holy

Franciscan friar, brother.”

“That sounds like the voice of Friar John. Welcome from Mantua. What did

Romeo say, or if he wrote, give me his letter.”

5 “I went to find another friar who was going to accompany me to Mantua. He had

been visiting the sick here. The health officials of the town believed that both of us had

been in a house where the infectious disease was present. They sealed up the doors and

would not let us leave, so that stopped my trip to Mantua.”

9 “Well, who took my letter to Romeo then?”

“I couldn’t send it or get a messenger to bring it to you because they were so fearful

of the plague, the infections disease. Here it is.”

12 “What unfortunate luck! That wasn’t just a friendly letter; it had many instructions

of great importance for Romeo. Neglecting this letter may do much damage. Friar John,

go right now and bring me an iron crow bar. Now I must go to the tomb alone. Juliet will

be waking up within three hours. She will really complain if Romeo doesn’t know

anything about these arrangements. But I will write to Mantua again and keep Juliet at my

room until Romeo comes. She’s a poor living corpse closed in a dead man’s tomb.”

Scene 3—The cemetery containing the Capulet’s tomb

Paris and a servant come walking with a torch and flowers. Paris talks to his

servant. “Give me your torch, boy. Now stand on guard. Put out your torch so that no one

can see. Lie down under the yew tree with your ear to the ground so that no one can come

R & J Adapted 27 1/28/2014

to the churchyard to try to dig up graves without your hearing that individual. Whistle to

me then as a signal that you hear someone approach. Now give me those flowers and do as

I said.”

6 The servant says to himself, “I’m almost afraid to stand alone in the churchyard,

but I will do it.”

Paris has advanced to the tomb, “Sweet flower, I scatter flowers over your bridal

bed. O, sadness! The cover of your bridal bed is dust and stones. Nightly I will sprinkle

perfume or my tears as a ceremony to honor you. My servant gives a warning whistle that

something is approaching. What cursed foot is wandering this way tonight to interrupt my

ritual? He’s even carrying a torch; Let the darkness hide me.”

13 Romeo and Balthasar enter the cemetery carrying a torch, crowbar, and ax. Romeo

speaks to his servant. “Give me the ax and crowbar. Here, take this letter. Early in the

morning deliver it to my father. Give me the torch. I’m warning you, whatever you see or

hear, stay away and do not interrupt me. Why do I go into this tomb? Partly to look at my

lady’s face, but mostly to take the precious ring from her dead finger. Be gone. If you

return to pry further into what I intend to do, I will tear you joint by joint and scatter your

limbs throughout the churchyard. My plan is more unstoppable than a hungry tiger or the

waves of an ocean.”

20 Balthasar promises to leave and Romeo says that is the way Balthasar can best

show his friendship. However, Balthasar is suspicious enough of Romeo’s looks and

intentions that he decides to hide in the area and watch.

As Romeo pries the tomb open he talks to it as if it devours people. He calls it a

hateful stomach that is filled with the dearest morsel of earth (Juliet). He uses his crowbar

to open its rotten jaws and feeds himself to it.

26 Paris observes all of this happening. “That is the banished Montague that murdered

my love’s cousin. It was grief over Tybalt that took Juliet’s life. Romeo has now come to

commit some terrible vandalism of the tomb or bodies. I will capture him. Stop your

terrible work, you evil Montague. Do you have to keep getting revenge even after death?

Condemned criminal, I capture you. Obey and go with me, for you must die.”

31 “I must indeed die,” Romeo answered. “That is what I came here for. Good, gentle

young man, do not tempt someone who is desperate. Run away and leave me. Think

about those who are already dead and leave before I have to kill you, too. Please, don’t put

another sin on my head by forcing me to get angry and kill you. Leave. I love you better

than myself. Don’t stay. Leave. Live, and say that a madman’s mercy urged you to run

away.”

36 Paris rejects Romeo’s suggestion to leave and says he is arresting him. He

provokes Romeo and they fight. Paris’s servant runs off to call for help. Paris is slain in

the fight and asks to be buried by Juliet’s side. Romeo examines the man that he killed.

39 “Let me look at this face. It is Mercutio’s relative, the County Paris! I think

Balthasar was telling me as we rode along that Paris was to be married to Juliet. Did he

say that or did I dream it? I will bury him in the grave that is really a lantern because

Juliet’s beauty is like a light shining in the darkness. Death (Paris) is buried by a dead man

(Romeo—because he expects to be dead soon).” And he lays Paris in the tomb.

44 He sees Juliet lying in the tomb. “O, my love! My wife! The death that sucked

away your breath has had no effect on your beauty. The sign of beauty is still on your lips

and cheeks. Tybalt, is that you in the bloody sheet? What greater favor can I do for you

R & J Adapted 28 1/28/2014

than to use the hand that took your life to take the life of your enemy—me. Forgive me,

cousin. O, Juliet. Why are you still so beautiful? Is Death keeping you in this dark place

as its lover? For fear of that, I will stay here with you and never leave this place. Here

will I cause my death and rid myself of the burden of an unhappy fate. Eyes, look your

last. Arms, take your last embrace. Lips, the doors of breath, seal with a kiss the eternal

deed that I do. Here’s to my love! O true apothecary, your drugs are quick. I die.” He

falls dead.

53 Friar Laurence with a lantern, crow bar, and spade enters the cemetery. “Saint

Francis speed me along. I have stumbled so often at graves tonight. Who’s there?”

Balthasar answers him. “I’m a friend; one who knows you well.”

“Tell me, whose torch is up there dimly shining its light? It looks to me like its

burning in the Capulet tomb.”

“It is, sir. There’s my master, the one that you love.”

“How long has Romeo been there?”

60 “At least half an hour.”

The Friar asks Balthasar to go to the tomb with him, but Balthasar replies that

Romeo doesn’t know that he is still around. He threatened Balthasar with death if he

stayed around to watch what Romeo was doing. The Friar tells Balthasar to stay where he

is while the Friar goes alone. He is fearful that something unlucky has happened.

65 Balthasar says, “As I slept under the tree here, I dreamed that my master and

another person fought and my master killed him.”

“Romeo, why are these bloody swords lying here at the tomb, a place that should

be peaceful? Why are the swords without their owners?” He enters the tomb. “Romeo!

Who else? Paris too? What a terrible time has seen these terrible events.”

70 Juliet begins to awaken. “Friar. Where is my Romeo? I remember where I am

supposed to be, and that’s where I am. Where is Romeo?”

The Friar tries to get Juliet out of the tomb before she sees what has happened. “I

hear something. Come from this place of death, disease, and unnatural sleep. A greater

power than we can fight against has ruined our plans. Come away. Your husband here lies

dead and Paris too. Come, I’ll take you to a convent to live with the nuns. Don’t stay here

and ask questions; a guard is coming. Come, Juliet. I dare not stay any longer.”

77 “Go ahead and leave, but I will not,” says Juliet, and Friar Laurence leaves.

“What’s here? A cup is in my love’s hand. Poison. I see that is what caused his death.

Stingy! You have drunk it all and left no drop for me. I will kiss your lips and maybe

enough poison is still hanging on them to make me die.” She kisses him. “Your lips are

warm.”

81 She hears the guards arriving. “I’ll be quick. O happy dagger!” She snatches

Romeo’s dagger, stabs herself, and falls dead.

The guards arrive with Paris’s servant who ran to get help. One guard finds blood

on the ground, Paris killed, and Juliet, who supposedly died two days ago, appears to have

just died because of the warm blood running from her. The guard cannot figure out what

has happened. Other guards arrest Balthasar and Friar Laurence as suspicious characters

because they find them in the area. Others are sent to the Capulets and Montagues to bring

them here.

88 The Capulets and the Prince arrive wondering why they have been wakened so

early and why they hear the names of Romeo, Paris, and Juliet mentioned in the street.

R & J Adapted 29 1/28/2014

The Capulets notice that Romeo’s dagger is not in its holder at Romeo’s waist, but instead

is in their daughter’s chest.

Montague arrives and tells everyone that his wife has just died because of the grief

of Romeo’s exile. He wants to know what further trouble has arisen.

93 The Prince orders all to stop their emotional outbursts until they can clear up the

mystery of what happened to everyone. They will ask the suspicious characters, the Friar

and Balthasar.

The Friar admits his involvement. “I am most responsible for these events. I will

accuse myself and clear myself of guilt.” The prince orders him to tell what he knows. He

begins after saying he will be brief because his breath is shorter than the tedious tale.

98 “Romeo, who lies there dead, was married to Juliet. And Juliet, there dead, was his

faithful wife. I married them, and their wedding day was the day Tybalt was killed. His

untimely death banished Romeo from this city. It was for Romeo’s banishment, not

Tybalt’s death, that Juliet mourned so. You, Capulet, to help get rid of her grief, engaged

her and would have married her to Paris. She came to me with wild looks and begged me

to come up with some means of avoiding this second marriage or she threatened to kill

herself right there in my room.

104 So I gave her a sleeping potion. It had the effect I intended and she looked like she

was dead. Meanwhile, I wrote to Romeo that he should come here this night to help take

her from this tomb at the time that the potion would wear off. But Friar John, who was to

take the message, was stopped by an accident, and yesterday returned my letter to me.

108 So all alone I came to the cemetery at the time she was to waken intending to keep

her at my room until I could send word to Romeo. But when I arrived here a few minutes

early, I found Paris and Romeo dead. She woke, and I begged her to come out. I heard a

noise that scared me from the tomb, but she would not go with me. It seems, instead, that

she killed herself. This is what I know. The Nurse knows about the marriage also. If I am

responsible for any of this, let the law punish me with death.”

114 The prince then wants to know what Balthasar knows. “I brought my master news

of Juliet’s death. He came in a hurry from Mantua to this place. He asked me to give this

letter to his father, and threatened me with death if I stayed around instead of leaving him

alone.” The Prince wants to see the letter. He also questions Paris’s servant to find out

why Paris was at the cemetery.

118 The servant replies, “He came to throw flowers on his lady’s grave. He ordered me

to stand watch, and so I did. Before too long a person with a torch came along and my

master drew his sword. Then I ran away to call for help.

121 The Prince looks at the letter. “This letter confirms that Friar Laurence has told the

truth about their love and their death. Romeo writes that he did buy poison from an

apothecary and came to the tomb to die with Juliet. Where are the enemies who started all

this trouble? Capulet and Montague, do you see what tragedy has been brought about by

your hate? Heaven has killed your children with love. For shutting my eyes to your

arguments, I have lost two relatives (Mercutio and Paris). We all have been punished.

127 Capulet says, “Brother Montague, give me your hand. No one could demand more

of a bride’s father than I have already paid with the death of my daughter.”

Montague responds, “I can give you more. I will raise her statue in pure gold.

While Verona still goes by that name, there will me no figure there valued as much as the

true and faithful Juliet.”

R & J Adapted 30 1/28/2014

131 And Capulet promises to raise a statue to Romeo also. “Our children are poor

sacrifices of our hatred.”

The Prince concludes by saying,

“A glooming peace this morning with it brings.

The sun for sorrow will not show his head.

Go hence, to have more talk of these sad things;

Some shall be pardoned, and some punished;

For never was a story of more woe

Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.