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In Verona, Italy, during the Middle Ages, the
feuding between the Capulet and Montague clans, which has been a tradition
for many generations, continues when members of the Capulet family quarrel
with the Montagues in the town square and engage in a sword fight.
One day, Juliet, a Capulet, consents to meet
Paris, whom her mother wishes her to marry, at a banquet. Meanwhile,
Romeo, a Montague, who has been spurned by his love Rosaline, is advised by
his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, to seek another sweetheart and forget
Rosaline. When Romeo receives an invitation to the Capulet ball, he
decides to forgo the event, but changes his mind when he learns that
Rosaline is expected to attend. At the party, Romeo's attentions turn
away from Rosaline as soon as he takes notice of Juliet. Romeo and
Juliet instantly fall in love and seal their love with a kiss. No
sooner does Romeo find a new sweetheart, however, than he discovers that
Juliet is a Capulet. When Juliet learns that Romeo is a Montague, she
retires to her balcony, where she sadly contemplates her misfortune.
Romeo, who has been hiding in the shadows of
Juliet's garden, overhears her calling out his name and emerges to profess
his love for her. Juliet then asks Romeo to marry her, and they agree
to wed the next day. After arranging a clandestine wedding at Friar
Laurence's cell, Romeo sends a message to Juliet by way of her nurse.
At the same time, Tybalt, Lady Capulet's
hot-blooded nephew, becomes angry at Romeo's involvement with Juliet and
challenges him to a duel. Romeo, however, is too much in love to
respond to Tybalt's threats and decides not to fight. Mercutio, on the
other hand, believes that Romeo has sacrificed his honor by not defending
himself against Tybalt, and fights Tybalt himself. Mercutio is killed
in the ensuing battle. When Romeo learns of Mercutio's death, he
becomes incensed and demands a duel with Tybalt. Tybalt dies by
Romeo's sword, and Romeo is forced to take refuge at Friar Laurence's cell,
where he learns that a proclamation has been issued ordering his banishment.
While waiting for Romeo to meet her at her
balcony, Juliet is informed by her nurse of Tybalt's death and of Romeo's
exile. Despite the tragic death of her cousin, Juliet proves her
unwavering love for Romeo when she allows him onto her balcony for one last
reunion.
Following Romeo's hasty departure, Lady Capulet
enters Juliet's room and believes that her daughter's tears are for Tybalt.
When Juliet's mother sends her to speak with her father, he offers her no
comfort and insists that she marry Paris. Juliet pleads with her
father to reconsider his demand, but he threatens her with banishment if she
refuses to abide by his order.
Desperate, Juliet seeks the advice of Friar
Laurence, who suggests that she take a potion that will make her appear dead
for forty-two hours. Although the friar sends a message to Romeo
informing him of Juliet's feigned death, the message is never delivered to
him because the messenger, Friar John, is quarantined when he comes into
contact with the pestilence.
Meanwhile, as the Capulets prepare for Juliet's
wedding banquet, Juliet's nurse discovers Juliet, apparently dead, and
relates the news to her family. Romeo is devastated by the news of
Juliet's death and decides to join Juliet in her grave. When Friar
Laurence discovers that his message to Romeo was never delivered, he hastens
to the Capulet family tomb to prevent Romeo's suicide. Just before he
drinks a poisoned potion, Romeo is challenged by Paris to a sword fight, and
Paris is slain. Friar Laurence arrives at the tomb moments after Romeo
has taken his poison. When Juliet awakens, she learns of Romeo's
suicide and, grief-stricken, stabs herself with Romeo's dagger.
Following the tragic death of the "star-crossed lovers," the Capulets and
the Montagues admit their complicity in the tragedy and, at last, end their
feud. |
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