Romeo and Juliet 

 

 

Exposition: The Montagues and Capulets have a fued that has been going on for longer than anyone can remember. Two servants of Capulet are in the streets of Verona when they begin a fight with two from the house of Montague, which escalates into a full brawl including civilians. The Prince stops the fight, and threatens that if this happens again the two houses will be punished with death.

Romeo, the son of Lord Montague is heartbroken because the woman he loves, Rosaline, is sworn to be a nun.

 

Rising Action: Paris is asking Lord Capulet if he can marry his daughter, Juliet Capulet. Capulet invites Paris to a masquerade feast he is having that night. Capulet gives a list of invitees to his illiterate servant, who goes to Romeo and Benvolio to ask them to read it. Seeing Rosaline's name he decides to attend the feast. Juliet and her mother talk of Juliet getting married, which she seems reluctant to do. Romeo, Benvolio and their friend Mercutio walk to the party, and Mercutio makes fun of Romeo for many things, including being so in love and for dreaming. Romeo foreshadows something bad happening by saying he thinks that tonight will be the beginning of what causes an untimely death.

 

Climax: Romeo sees Juliet at the feast and instantly falls in love. Romeo talks to Juliet and they kiss.

 

Falling Action: The nurse comes to Juliet and tells her that her mother wishes to speak with her. Romeo asks the nurse who her mother is and discovers she is a Capulet and is very distressed.

 

Resolution: Juliet asks the nurse to find who the man she was talking to is. The nurse goes to ask the man and returns telling Juliet that he is a Montague. She is also devestated.