Romeo and Juliet

ACT I

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 makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;
Whose misadventure piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought 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.

SCENE I. Verona. A public place.

Background people fighting

Enter BENVOLIO
BENVOLIO

Hey! ‘Stop that! Put your guns away! You don’t know what you’re doing!

Beats down their guns

Enter TYBALT
TYBALT
Fancy finding you fighting with servants. Why don’t you pick on a man?
When Benvolio ignored him, he pointed his gun at young Montague, he said
dramatically:
Turn, and face your death.
BENVOLIO
Turns
Forget it, Tybalt.
He shrugged the end of the young Capulet’s gun from his shoulder.
I’m trying to keep the peace. Put your weapon away. Or use it to help me part these
men.

TYBALT
What? A gun in your hand and talking about peace? Don’t make me laugh. I hate that
word. Just as I hate all Montagues. And especially you!
He made a lunge at Benvolio, forcing him to turn and defend himself.

They fight

Enter CAPULET, and LADY CAPULET

CAPULET
What noise is this? Give me my gun!

LADY CAPULET
Don’t be absurd, you need a crutch, more like it. What would you do with a gun?

CAPULET
My gun, I say!

Enter MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE

MONTAGUE
You villain, Capulet! Come out and fight like a man.
Lady Montague was pulling him back, trying to calm him down.
Let go, Leave me alone. Come on, Capulet! Come on, then!

LADY MONTAGUE
Stop it, ‘I won’t let you fight. What do you think you’re doing? At your age!

Just as Montague broke loose from his wife’s grasp and was rushing to meet Capulet,
who had answered his challenge by coming out to the piazza, there was the furious
brassy sound of trumpets – dozens of them.
Enter PRINCE, with Attendants

Attendants holds Benvolio and Tybalt

PRINCE
This is the third time that you, Capulet, and you, Montague, have disturbed the
tranquility of our city and obliged the elders of Verona to make peace between you, it
seems it hasn’t worked. You are both so blighted with hatred. So, this is what I’m going
to order. If you ever disturb our streets again, you’ll pay for it with your lives.

A murmur went up among the crowd.

Exeunt all but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO

LADY MONTAGUE
O, where is Romeo? Have you seen him today?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray.

BENVOLIO
Benvolio smiled.
‘I think he’s avoiding me. I couldn’t sleep last night, and I got up early before dawn. I
went for a walk – to the sycamore grove on the outskirts of the city.
And he was there. I called him but as soon as he heard me, he dived into the woods. He
didn’t want to talk to me. Well, I had my own problems, so I dropped it.

MONTAGUE
Hmm, ‘I’ve heard that he often goes there before dawn. They tell me he does a lot of
crying. And as soon as the sun comes up, he hurries home, goes to his room, and closes
the shutters. Something’s definitely wrong.

BENVOLIO
Have you any idea why he’s acting so strangely?
MONTAGUE
Not the slightest, He hasn’t said anything to me.

BENVOLIO
Have you asked him?

MONTAGUE
I have and I’ve got others too as well. He’s become very secretive. How can I help him if
he won’t say anything?
Enter ROMEO

As they were walking away, Benvolio caught sight of Romeo  coming up the street.

BENVOLIO
There he is! Go in. I’ll wait for him. I’m determined to get to the bottom of this.

LADY MONTAGUE
Bless you!

MONTAGUE
Good luck, Benvolio.

Exeunt MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE

BENVOLIO
Benvolio strolled slowly down the street.
Good morning, cousin.

ROMEO
Romeo sighed a long, deep, mournful sigh.
Is the day so young?

BENVOLIO
Only just gone nine.

ROMEO
Oh, dear! sad hours seem long.
Was that my father?

BENVOLIO
It was. What kind of sadness is this that makes the time drag so?

ROMEO
Not having that, which, having, makes them short.

BENVOLIO
In love?

ROMEO
Out--

BENVOLIO
Of love?

ROMEO
Out of her favor, where I am in love.

BENVOLIO
Dear oh dear.
said Benvolio, trying not to laugh.
It’s a hard life. That love, such a gentle thing, should be so rough when it comes down to
it.

ROMEO
Yes, I don’t want to talk about it. Where shall we go for lunch?
As they got to the corner Romeo stopped. He saw the broken awnings, the traders still
picking up their things, and wounded men hobbling away.
What happened? Don’t tell me.
He shook his head sadly.
I know all about it. This is about hatred.
But I’m thinking only about love. Oh, everything is upside down.
He looked sharply at Benvolio.
Are you laughing at me?

BENVOLIO
Would I do that? You make me want to cry.

ROMEO
Why?

BENVOLIO
Because you’re so pathetic.

ROMEO
It’s love that makes me pathetic. But don’t give it another thought. You’ve got more to
think about. If you start feeling sorry for me it’ll only make things worse. So, goodbye.

BENVOLIO
Hold on. ‘I’ll walk with you.

ROMEO
Where to? I’m not here. This isn’t me. I have lost myself. Romeo’s somewhere else.

BENVOLIO
Alright, Be serious. Tell me who it is.

ROMEO
I can’t bear to say her name.

BENVOLIO
Come on.

ROMEO
Well, I’ll tell you. She’s a girl.

BENVOLIO
Oh. well done. I assumed that when you said you were in love.

ROMEO
And she’s beautiful.

BENVOLIO
Good for you.

ROMEO
But she doesn’t want to know. She’s not interested in boys: says she never will be. She
won’t listen to anything I say. When our eyes meet, she looks the other way. I’ve even
offered her money.

BENVOLIO
Well. She’s determined not to have a man.

ROMEO
Oh God, Such a waste. She’s so beautiful, Benvolio. And she’ll go through life alone and
when she dies all beauty will die with her. She says she’ll never love anyone so I’m
destined for a living death.

BENVOLIO
Benvolio grasped Romeo’s wrist.
Will you trust me? I can tell you how to forget her.

ROMEO
How? Impossible. Tell me how.

BENVOLIO
Simple, Get out and about. Look at other girls.

ROMEO
It’s no good. Whenever I see a beautiful girl from now on, I’ll only think of one who is
even more beautiful. Goodbye Benvolio. There’s no way I could forget her. There’s
nothing you can do.

BENVOLIO
I’m taking that as a challenge. I’ll sort it out, don’t you worry.

Exeunt

SCENE II. A street.

Enter CAPULET, PARIS, and Servant

CAPULET
No, It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other. ‘We’re both bound over to keep the
peace. One as much as the other. And I don’t think it’s so difficult for men of our age.

PARIS
You’re both respectable men. It’s a pity you’ve had to live your lives as enemies. Let’s
get down to business, what do you say to my proposition?

CAPULET
Look, I can only tell you what I’ve already intimated. My daughter is still a child: she’s
not fourteen yet. Give it time. In a couple of years, she’ll be just about ready for
marriage.

PARIS
Many girls younger than her are mothers already,

CAPULET
And their lives are ruined, my daughter is very special to me. She’s my only surviving
child. All my hopes rest on her. Do you understand what I’m saying?
He put his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
I’ll tell you what. Let’s agree to a compromise. Take it slowly, Paris. Gain her confidence.
If she agrees to marry you then my consent will follow. And my blessing too.

Paris thought for a moment then nodded. They shook hands.

That’s settled then. And now to pleasure. Tonight, I’m having a party. There are going to
be a lot of people. All friends of mine – among which I count you, of course. Why don’t
you join us? I can promise you my humble house will be filled with gorgeous girls. And I
mean gorgeous. Real stars.
He winked.
Make yourself at home: look at them, talk to them, and dance with them. Perhaps you’ll
even like one of them better than my daughter. It’s alright with me if you do. Marriage is
a big step: you have to be sure. No use rushing these things. Peter! Come in here,
please.

To Servant, giving a paper

CAPULET
Go on, take it. I want you to go all around Verona and find the people on this list. Tell
them they’re invited to my party tonight.

Exeunt CAPULET and PARIS

Servant (Peter)
Tsk! I don’t know how to read how I am supposed to finish this task.

Enter BENVOLIO and ROMEO

BENVOLIO
Come on, man, one fire can put another one out. Infect yourself with a new disease and
it will kill the old ailment.

ROMEO
Sure, for your ailment we’ll just use a herbal remedy.

BENVOLIO
What? Herbal remedy? What for?

ROMEO
For the broken leg, you’re going to get if you don’t shut up.

Servant (Peter)
Excuse me, can you read?

ROMEO
Yes, I can read my own fate in my unhappiness.

Servant (Peter)
Perhaps you’ve learned that off by heart, but can you read by sight?

ROMEO
Yes, if I recognize the letters and the language,

BENVOLIO
Laughs

Servant (Peter)
All right, forget it, Thanks anyway

ROMEO
Wait, I’m only joking. Of course, I can read.

Reads

Signior Martino. and his wife and daughters: Count Anselme… Mercutio. Hmm. See
here. Benvolio. Mercutio’s on this list. My uncle Capulet, his wife, and daughters: my fair
niece Rosaline.
He pauses
A lot of people on this list. What’s it for?

Servant (Peter)
A party

ROMEO
Whose house?

Servant (Peter)
My master's.

ROMEO
Who’s he?

Servant (Peter)
The great rich Capulet. Everyone’s invited. As long as you ‘re not a Montague you ‘re
welcome.
He snatched the sheet.
Cheers.

Exit PETER

BENVOLIO

Rosaline’s going to be there, I see. Among some of the most luscious girls in Verona.
Let’s go to Capulet’s party, Romeo. No one will mind. And let’s be objective about it. I’ll
show you that the girl you think is a swan is nothing more than a crow.

ROMEO
A girl more beautiful than Rosaline? Never. The sun’s never seen a more beautiful
woman since the world began.

BENVOLIO
Rubbish, every time you’ve seen her, she’s been on her own. You need to make
comparisons. I’ll bet there’ll be hundreds of girls who’ll put Rosaline in the shade.

ROMEO
All right, I’ll go, but not because I think you can show, anyone, better. I’m going only so
that I can see her.
Exeunt

SCENE III. A room in Capulet's house.

Enter LADY CAPULET and Nurse

LADY CAPULET
Nurse, where's my daughter? call her forth to me.

Nurse
She’s just here. Ladybird! My lamb! Where is that girl? Juliet!

Enter JULIET

JULIET
Coming! Who calls?

Nurse
Your mother.

JULIET
Mother, I am here.
What is your will?

LADY CAPULET
We need to talk, Nurse. Leave us. This is a private matter.
The nurse got up reluctantly but before she reached the door Lady Capulet called her
back.
You might as well stay; your advice would be helpful. You know Juliet’s getting to the
age when… Let’s just say she’s at a pretty age. She’s going to be fourteen in two weeks.

Nurse
Faith, I can tell her age unto an hour.

LADY CAPULET
Hmm, marriage. That’s just what I’ve come to talk about. Tell me, Juliet, how do you feel
about getting married?

JULIET
I’ve never even thought about it,

LADY CAPULET
Well start thinking about it now, Girls younger than you are already mothers here in
Verona. As a matter of fact, I was your mother when I was much the age you are now.
But to cut a long story short. The Count of Paris wants to marry you.

Nurse
Now there’s a man, young lady. The perfect man.

LADY CAPULET
The best in Verona,

Nurse
Without doubt.

LADY CAPULET
Well? Do you think you could love him? Have a good look at him. You’ll see what I mean.
And he has sound prospects. By having him you’ll have everything.

Nurse
The Nurse laughed her coarse laugh
You’ll have even more than that. Everyone knows that women grow bigger by having a
man.

LADY CAPULET
What do you think? Do you like the idea?

JULIET
‘I’ll look forward to seeing him. Yes. I’ll look at him but I’m not going to rush into
anything or do anything that you wouldn’t want me to.

Enter a Servant

Servant
Madam, the guests are starting to arrive. It’s all going on down there. My master wants
you.

LADY CAPULET
I have to go. Come on Juliet, the Count’s waiting.
Exit Servant

Nurse
Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days.

Exeunt

SCENE IV. A street.

Enter ROMEO, MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, with five or six Maskers, Torch-bearers, and
others

ROMEO
Are we going to make some excuse for coming without being invited? Or shall we just go
in and see what happens?

BENVOLIO
No speeches, Speeches are out. No one makes speeches anymore. We’ll just go in. Too
bad if they don’t like us.

ROMEO
All right, then, I’m not going to dance though.

MERCUTIO
Oh no, you don’t, you’re dancing. That’s the whole point.

ROMEO
I’m not in the mood.

MERCUTIO
Come on, You’re a lover. Lovers are always in the mood for dancing.

ROMEO
Not me. It’s because of love that I’m not in the mood. I’m too heavy-hearted for
dancing.

MERCUTIO
Mercutio laughed.
What an act. What a fuss about nothing.
ROMEO
You don’t know what it’s like until you’ve felt it. It hurts, it pricks like thorns.

MERCUTIO
Snap out of it then. And it will stop hurting. Hand me a mask, Benvolio. Let’s go

BENVOLIO
Come on, then, it’s getting late. Now as soon as we’re in let’s all get down to some
serious business.

ROMEO
I’m not dancing. I’m just going to watch.

Mercutio put his arm around Romeos shoulders.

MERCUTIO
Come on, we’re wasting time.

ROMEO
I know we mean no harm and all that but I don’t think it’s very bright to go to this party.

MERCUTIO
Why?

ROMEO
I had a dream last night.

MERCUTIO
And so, did I.

ROMEO
Well, what was yours?

MERCUTIO
That dreamers often lie.

BENVOLIO
Let’s go, if we don’t get a move on all the food will be gone by the time we get there.
ROMEO
I have this feeling, a strong premonition that something’s going to happen. Something’s
going to happen tonight. I feel it’s going to end in my having to repay a debt with my
life. The others looked at each other, throwing their eyes up and shaking their heads.

All right then, off we go.

Exeunt

SCENE V. A hall in Capulet's house.

Musicians waiting. JULIET dancing with someone. Enter Serving men with napkins. Enter
ROMEO. Enter CAPULET as each group of MASKED YOUTHS arrives at the doorway.

CAPULET
Come in. come in
He said as each group of masked youths arrived at the doorway
MERCUTIO dancing

CAPULET
Don’t stand there, come in. Look at all the girls. Go in, go in. And I want to see you
dancing. Only those girls with corn on their feet will say no.

Everyone starts dancing

ROMEO
Who’s that girl dancing with that fellow over there?

MAN
I don’t know, Sir.
He got away from Romeo as fast as he could.

ROMEO
Romeo stared.
I don’t believe what I’m seeing.
He pushed his mask right up to the top of his head to see better.

Enter TYBALT

TYBALT
Tybalt stopped. He turned.
Go and get my rapier, Boy.

ROMEO
Romeo didn’t even see him: nothing existed but the girl

TYBALT
He looked around helplessly and caught sight of his uncle. Tybalt stormed across to get
to Capulet.

CAPULET
What’s the matter? I wish you could see your face.

TYBALT
That boy over there

CAPULET
What about him

TYBALT
Uncle, he’s a Montague. Look at him. He’s making a mockery of our festivities

CAPULET
Capulet squinted his eyes toward Romeo to get a better look at him.
Ah, Isn’t that young Romeo?

TYBALT
Exactly, I’m going to kill him. I’m-

CAPULET
His uncle put a restraining hand on his arm.
Take it easy, my boy. Let him be. He’s a nice enough young fellow: he’s not doing any
harm. I’m telling you to drop it. Behave yourself. You’re not spoiling my party. Do you
understand?’
He squeezed Tybalt’s arm so hard that it hurt.

TYBALT
I won’t take it

CAPULET
You won’t take it?
Capulet’s voice had risen. Some of the guests looked round and Capulet smiled and gave
them a little wave.

TYBALT
But Uncle, we can’t have-

CAPULET
Don’t cross me. I’m warning you.
He let go of Tybalt’s arm, pushed him roughly and went to join a group of guests.

ROMEO
When Juliet is done with the dance, he would follow his dream girl and find the
opportunity to take her hand.

JULIET
Her partner gave a small bow. Turned and left her. She made her way to the less well-lit
balcony (the edge of the stage closest to the audience). Her hands were folded in front
of her and she swayed in time to the music.

ROMEO
Follows her.

JULIET
She put her hands behind her back and folded them. ROMEO reached out and took one
of her hands.

ROMEO
He felt her tense up slightly but before she could pull her hand away, he leant forward
and whispered in her ear.
If you find my hands too rough, I have two gentle lips ready to soothe you.

JULIET
She relaxed. She did not turn round, she smiled.
No, don’t speak so badly of your hand. When two hands touch like this what they’re
doing is kissing.
She rolled her hand round in his so that their palms met.
See what a lovely kiss this is.

ROMEO
You’re right. We’ve also got lips, though.

JULIET
Yes. But lips are used for praying.

ROMEO
So are hands. So let our lips do the same as our hands. I’m praying that you’ll kiss me. If
you don’t, I’ll die.

JULIET
I can’t grant your prayer; you’d have to go to Friar Lawrence’s chapel for that: the saint’s
statue that stands there, grants prayers. Even though it doesn’t move.

ROMEO
Don’t you move then, you are my saint. Stay still and answer my prayer.

They Kiss.

ROMEO
You’ve heard my prayers, and you’ve taken my sins away with that kiss

JULIET
Then my lips are full of sin.

ROMEO
Here, let me take it back.

And they kissed again.

NURSE
Juliet! Juliet! Juliet, where are you?

As Juliet’s nurse approached, they moved apart and pretended to be having a casual
conversation.
NURSE
Ah. there you are, your mother wants a word with you

Juliet looked up at Romeo. He winked at her. Without another glance at him she hurried
off.

ROMEO
Her mother? Who’s her mother?

NURSE
Her mother? She’s the lady of the house. I nursed her daughter – the one you were
talking to. Let me tell you, anyone who can get her will be in the money.

Exit NURSE
Enter BENVOLIO

BENVOLIO
I’ve been looking for you all over, come on, let’s go. Hey Mercutio!
Mercutio said his goodbyes to the people he’s talking to. He hurried towards Benvolio
and Romeo and they made their way to the exit.
That’s enough. Time to go.

CAPULET
Capulet stopped them at the door. 
You're not going, are you? We’re just about to bring out some supper

CAPULET
Mercutio whispered something in Capulets ear and he laughed.
You don’t say.
Capulet and Mercutio both laughed.

JULIET
Juliet watched them. 
Come here. Nurse. There are a lot of people I don’t know. Who’s he?
Juliet asked and pointed towards Romeo as he was going out.

NURSE
I don’t know
JULIET
Well go and ask him!

NURSE
The nurse dashed off and was back in a minute.
His name is Romeo. He’s a Montague – he’s actually the son of your family’s great
enemy.

JULIET
Oh no, I’ve fallen in love with someone I hate! I fall in love and it has to be with a
despised enemy!

NURSE
What’s that? What did you say?

JULIET
Nothing

NURSE
Come on, Bedtime

Exeunt

ACT II. SCENE I. A lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard

Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO

MERCUTIO AND BENVOLIO

Romeo! Hey Romeo!

They were right behind Romeo. Romeo pressed himself against the hard stone wall as
though trying to find a hiding place among its crevices.
They were coming closer. Romeo searched for a foothold and found one. He pushed
himself up the wall. Another foothold, and another, and before he knew it, he was on
top of the high wall. He lay flat on his stomach, holding his breath.

MERCUTIO
I swear he’s run off home to avoid us
BENVOLIO
No, He was here a moment ago. I’ll bet he climbed over this orchard wall. Call him again,
Mercutio.

MERCUTIO
He’s disappeared. Like a ghost. Hey, he’s a ghost. Let’s see if I can conjure him up.
He whispers
Say something. Anything…
He shouts
I conjure you in the name of Rosaline’s bright eyes! By her high forehead. And her
scarlet lip.

Raucous laughter.

BENVOLIO
Shhh.
Said Benvolio, trying to stop laughing.
If he hears you, he’ll be furious

MERCUTIO
Oh well. Goodnight to Romeo. I need my bed. Shall we go without him?

BENVOLIO
Might as well. You’ll never find someone who doesn’t want to be found.

Exeunt

SCENE II. Capulet's orchard

Enter ROMEO

A door opened and JULIET came out onto a balcony.

ROMEO
It’s her!
He whispered.
Oh, it’s my love.

JULIET
She sighed. She leaned her cheek on her hand!
Oh Romeo, Romeo. Where art thou Romeo? I wish you could stop being a Montague. Or
if you won’t, just say you love me and I’ll stop being a Capulet.

It’s only your name that’s my enemy. You’re still what you are, Montague or no
Montague. Anyway, what’s “Montague”? It’s not as though it’s a hand or a foot, or an
arm or a face, or anything like that. Oh, I wish you could be some other name. What’s in
a name, anyway? The flower that we call a rose would smell as sweet whatever we
called it. Whatever name Romeo had it wouldn’t make any difference: he would still be
everything that’s perfect. Oh Romeo, throw your name out and take all of me instead.

ROMEO
He sprang from behind the tree and raised his arms.
I’ll take you at your word, just call me ‘Love’ and that will be my new name. From now
on I’m not Romeo.

JULIET
She drew back.
Who are you? Coming here in the dark, watching me and eavesdropping like this?

ROMEO
I’m afraid to tell you my name, I hate my name because you hate it. If I had written it, I
would tear the word up.

JULIET
Realization forms in her face as she recognizes his voice.
Aren’t you, Romeo? And a Montague’?

ROMEO
Neither, since you dislike both names

JULIET
How did you get here? Tell me that. And why? The orchard walls are high and hard to
climb. And this place is dangerous, considering who you are. If any of my family finds
you here-

Romeo cuts her off.

ROMEO
I flew over the wall, With the wings of love. Stone walls can’t keep love out. Love can’t
be stopped so how could your family stop me?
JULIET
If they see you, they’ll kill you!

ROMEO
Your eyes are more powerful than twenty of their swords. Just give me a loving look and
I’ll be invincible.

JULIET
She looked around.
I don’t want them to see you here

ROMEO
It’s all right, it’s dark. Anyway, if you don’t love me, I’d rather be caught by them than
live without your love

JULIET
Who told you where to find me?

ROMEO
Love told me. I’m no navigator, but even if you were living on the far side of the furthest
ocean, I would find my way to you.

JULIET
It’s a good thing it’s dark, or you would see me blushing. Because of what you
overheard. I would love to be able to deny that I said those things but I’m not going to
pretend. Do you love me? I know you’ll say ‘yes.’ And I’ll take your word for it. But if you
swear too much you may not stick to it. Please don’t let that happen.
She leant forward,
Oh, Romeo if you do love me,
please tell me honestly.
She moved back a little.
Or if you think I’m too fast tell me and I’ll put on an act and be all coy and play hard to
get. I’m so much in love with you: that’s why I’m being so forward. But I promise you, I’ll
be more loving and faithful than those who are reserved. I should have been all shy, I
know and would have if you hadn’t overheard my real feelings. So, forgive me. And
don’t think I’m taking it lightly.

ROMEO
I swear by the moon-
JULIET
Oh, don’t swear by the moon! The moon’s too changeable.

ROMEO
What shall I swear by?

JULIET
Don’t swear at all, but if you must, swear by yourself. You’re the god I worship. Swear by
yourself and I’ll believe you. No, don’t swear. Although I love you, I don’t like this –
making commitments like this. It’s too sudden, too fast. It’s not a good idea. It’s like
lightning – gone too quickly. I’ll say goodnight. This bud of love may grow into a lovely
flower by the time we meet again. Good night.
She stepped back and stood beside the door.

ROMEO
Are you just going to leave it like that?

JULIET
What more could we do tonight?
She said, coming forward again.

ROMEO
Make faithful vows of love,

JULIET
I gave you mine before you asked for it. And yet I wish I had it back

ROMEO
Do you want to take it back? Why?

JULIET
To be honest, so that I can give it to you again. But I have so much love for you: the
more I give the more I have. It’s like the sea – without end

NURSE
Juliet? Lamb? Honey Love?

JULIET
I’m just coming, Nurse,
She turned back to Romeo.
Beloved Montague, be true to me.
She reluctantly stands and walks away quickly to see how close the Nurse is but also
comes back in an undecided way.
Wait there. I’ll be back.
She leaves again to check the Nurse.

ROMEO
Oh night! Oh, beautiful night-

Juliet comes back

JULIET
Just a few more words and then it really will be goodnight, dear Romeo. If you really
mean it, and you want to marry me, send me a message tomorrow. I’ll send someone to
you. Let me know where and for what time you’ve arranged a wedding and I’ll come to
you. Then we’ll be together forever

NURSE
Juliet!!

JULIET
She turned towards the voice and shouted.
Coming!
She turned back to Romeo.
But if you don’t mean it, I beg of you…

NURSE
Juliet!

JULIET
I’m coming!
She leant right over and reached out towards Romeo.
If you’re trifling with me, please leave me alone to deal with my grief. I’ll send a
messenger tomorrow.

ROMEO
As true as-
He began but she had gone. He turned but then he heard her again.

JULIET
Psst! Romeo! Pssst! Romeo. What time shall I send someone?

ROMEO
at nine
JULIET
I’ll make sure of that. It’ll feel like twenty years till then.
She laughed.
I’ve forgotten why I called you back.

ROMEO
That’s alright. I’ll just stand here until you remember it.

JULIET
Then I’ll never remember it, so that you’ll stand there forever.

ROMEO
And I’ll keep standing here, hoping you’ll keep forgetting. And I’ll forget that I’ve got any
other home but this.

JULIET
It’s almost morning, I want you to go but I don’t want to let go of you. You must leave
now. It’s so hard to say goodbye. I’d like to keep saying “goodnight” until it becomes
tomorrow.
With a last lingering look she broke away from his gaze and was gone.

Exit

SCENE III. Friar Laurence's cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE, with a basket, picking poisonous and healing herbs.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who’s this then, visiting me so early in the morning? Is there something wrong, my boy,
being up so early?
Said the Friar as Romeo reached him.

ROMEO
You’re right there, I had a better rest

FRIAR LAWRENCE
God pardon you, have you been with Rosaline?

ROMEO
Rosaline?
Romeo’s brow furrowed.
No. I’ve forgotten that name and everything about her.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
That’s my boy, but where have you been then?

ROMEO
Come on, Father. I’ll tell you all about it on the way to your chapel.
Romeo couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice as they walked.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Speak plainly, I don’t understand what you’re getting at.

ROMEO
To put it plainly, I’ve fallen in love with Capulet’s daughter, and she with me. And to cut
a long story short, you must marry us, and you must agree to marry us today

FRIAR LAWRENCE
The Friar had stopped.
Holy St. Francis! Have you forgotten Rosaline? Am I to understand that young men love
with their eyes and not their hearts? Jesu Maria. You cried buckets for Rosaline. Look.
Here on your cheek, there’s the stain of a tear. It was Rosaline this and Rosaline that
yesterday and now it’s all changed.

ROMEO
You told me off all the time for loving Rosaline.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
For being infatuated, not loving, my boy.

ROMEO
And told me to bury love.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Not to dig another one up.

ROMEO
Please, don’t reprimand me. The one I love now loves me in return. The other didn’t.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Because she could see you didn’t mean it. Come on then, you young rascal. Come with
me. This is one thing I can help you with. This could be the answer: the thing to turn
your household’s hatred into love.

ROMEO
Well let’s hurry then, I can’t wait.
Romeo started running.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Slow down, you’ll stumble if you try to go too fast.

Exeunt

SCENE IV. A street.

Enter BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO

Mercutio and Benvolio sat in the shade of the wall.

MERCUTIO
Where the devil could Romeo be? Didn’t he come home last night?
Mercutio drew a heart in the dust.

BENVOLIO
Not to his father’s. I talked to his servant

MERCUTIO
Who would have thought it? That the dull cold Rosaline should have the power to drive
him crazy.

BENVOLIO
Did you know that Capulet’s nephews sent a letter to his father’s house?

MERCUTIO
No. A challenge!

BENVOLIO
Romeo will answer it.
MERCUTIO
Any man who can write could answer a letter

BENVOLIO
No, I mean he’ll accept the challenge.

MERCUTIO
It’ll be a walkover. Romeo’s already dead, stabbed with a woman’s eye, run through
with a love song, his heart pierced by Cupid’s arrow. And you think he’s fit to take Tybalt
on?

BENVOLIO
What’s so special about Tybalt?

MERCUTIO
Didn’t you know? He’s more than just the Prince of Cats. He’s a champ. He’s as good at
fighting as you are at singing. His timing is perfect – when he counts bars it’s one, two-
Mercutio mimed a swordsman in action.
And the third one is in your chest.
Jabbing at Benvolio with his finger.
He can hit a silk button at his first go. He’s a swordsman, our Tybalt. He’s in the first
league, an expert in all the strokes. He’s a…

BENVOLIO
A what?

MERCUTIO
Forget it, he’s a poser plain and simple.

Enter ROMEO

BENVOLIO
Hey, here he is, the man himself.

Romeo came towards them.

MERCUTIO
Ah, Look at him. What a lad. The most beautiful women in history were kitchen girls to
his Rosaline. Even Dido was a peasant.
He bowed.
Signor Romeo, bon jour. How’s that for a nice French greeting? You cheated us well and
truly last night.

ROMEO
Good morning, what do you mean?

MERCUTIO
The slip, the slip, don’t you understand? You gave us the slip.

ROMEO
I’m sorry Mercutio. I had important business. I’m sorry.

MERCUTIO
There we are, isn’t this better than groaning for love? Now you’re sociable – you’re
Romeo again, the Romeo we all know.

Romeo was unable to take the big grin off his face.

Enter NURSE in a dress and PETER

ROMEO
A sail, a sail!
Shouted Romeo, and his friends joined him as he ran to greet the Nurse.

Mercutio grabbed the back of the dress and flapped it up and down. The Nurse turned
and smacked his hands off her dress.

NURSE
Good morning, gentlemen.

MERCUTIO
Good afternoon, fair gentlewoman.
NURSE
She rolls her eyes at Mercutio.
Gentlemen, can any of you tell me where I can find young Romeo?

They all looked at Romeo.

ROMEO
I can tell you, but young Romeo will be older by the time you’ve found him than he was
when you began looking for him. Yes, it’s me. I’m the youngest of that name. For better
or worse.

NURSE
Well said.
The Nurse grinned.
If you are he, I’d like a word with you.

ROMEO
What’s the message?
He told his friends.
Go on, Leave us alone.

MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO walks away and does their thing.

NURSE
Ah now.
She looked at Romeo.
As I said, I want a word with you. My young lady told me to find you. What she told me
to say I’ll keep to myself for the time being. But first let me tell you: if you’re leading her
into a fool’s paradise, as they say, it would be the most wicked behavior, as they say, for
the poor girl is very young and therefore if you’re planning to double cross her then it’s
a despicable thing to do to any young woman.
She folded her arms and looked defiantly at him.

ROMEO
Nurse, give your young lady my compliments. I promise you-

NURSE
Oh! I’ll tell her that. Lord, Lord, she’ll be so happy!
ROMEO
Tell her what? You’re not listening.

NURSE
I’ll tell her that you promise, which is such a good start.

ROMEO
Tell her to find some way of going to confession this afternoon and there at Friar
Lawrence’s chapel she’ll be given absolution and married, all at the same time. Here.

NURSE
This afternoon, you say? Well, she’ll be there.
She turns away to leave, full of excitement.

ROMEO
Wait Nurse, my servant will bring you a rope ladder so that I’ll be able to get to Juliet’s
room tonight. Goodbye. Give her my love, Nurse.

NURSE
Of course. With pleasure.
She turns to the direction of Peter who is being bothered by Mercutio and Benvolio.
Peter!

Exeunt

SCENE V. Capulet's orchard.

Enter JULIET and NURSE

JULIET
Oh honey Nurse! What did he say? Did you find him? Send your servant away.
She turned and stood right in front of the Nurse.
Oh Lord! why are you looking so sad? Even if it’s bad news, tell it with a smile. Please
Nurse? Or if it’s good don’t spoil the music of good news with such a sour face!

NURSE
Whew, I ‘m exhausted, leave me alone for a while.
They were passing a garden bench. 
Oh, my legs ache. Such a tiring journey.
She sank down on to the bench.

JULIET
You can have my legs if you would just give me your news! Please, Nurse, I beg of you,
tell me. Please, dear, dear Nurse, tell me!

NURSE
Jesus, what a hurry you’re in!
She leans back into the bench.
Can’t you wait a minute. Can’t you see I’m out of breath?

JULIET
How can you be out of breath when you’ve got enough breath to tell me you’re out of
breath? Your excuse for not telling me is longer than the simple yes or no which is all I
want.
Juliet knelt in front of the Nurse.
Is it good or is it bad?

NURSE
The Nurse shook her head sadly.
Well, all I can say is that you’ve made a bad choice. You’ve no idea how to choose a
man. Romeo! No, not him, he’s not the one.

JULIET
Juliet drew back, giving the Nurse a look of incredulity.

NURSE
Although he’s more handsome than any other man. And he’s got better legs. And as for
the rest of him, his hands, and feet, and the whole of his body, for that matter…
She leant forward and whispered
Although we mustn’t talk about those things – they are beyond compare.
He’s not the absolute flower of good manners, of course, but I’ll bet he’s as gentle as a
lamb.
She got up, suddenly and yawned.
Off with you now, girl. Get on with it. Have you had your dinner?
JULIET
No, but I knew all those things about Romeo before. What did he say about us getting
married? What about that?

NURSE
The Nurse slid back on to the bench and lay, reclining.
Lord, what a headache I’ve got. It’s pounding so hard that it feels as though it’s going to
break into twenty pieces.

JULIET
Honestly, I’m very sorry you’re not well. Sweet, sweet, sweet Nurse. What did my love
say?

NURSE
The Nurse heaved a huge sigh.
Your love says, like an honest man, and a courteous, and a kind and a handsome, and, I
have no doubt, a good-
She stopped suddenly and looked towards the house.
Where’s your mother?

JULIET
Where is my mother?
Juliet threw up her hands.
In there, of course. Where do you think she is? What a strange answer. “Your love says,
like an honest man, where is your mother?”

NURSE
Good God, my dear young woman, Bad tempered with me? Is this the thanks I get for
my aching bones? Do your own dirty work from now on.

JULIET
This is impossible, come on, what did Romeo say?

NURSE
The Nurse stopped rubbing her back and took Juliet’s hands.
Have you got permission to go to confession today?

JULIET
I have.
NURSE
Then get yourself to Friar Lawrence’s cell as fast as you can. There’s a husband waiting
there to make you a wife. Hurry. I have one more thing to do. I have to get a rope ladder
so that your lover can climb up to your love nest as soon as it’s dark. Off with you. I’m
going to have my dinner. Go on Hurry.
Exeunt

SCENE VI. Friar Laurence's cell.

Enter FRIAR LAURENCE and ROMEO

FRIAR LAWRENCE
May Heaven bless this holy ceremony so that we won’t regret it later!

ROMEO
Yes, yes, but whatever sorrow may come it couldn’t cancel the joy I get from seeing her
for even a moment. You just join our hands with holy words and after that it doesn’t
matter what happens: it’s enough that she’ll be my wife.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Such extreme emotions often end in disaster – they explode like gunpowder. Be careful,
my boy. Even honey can become sickly precisely because it’s so sweet, and eventually
you can’t face it. So don’t go overboard on this loving of yours. It will last longer if you
take it easy. If you go too fast, you’ll fall.

Enter JULIET She came, running so lightly that it was as though she wasn’t touching the
ground. They clung to each other and he kissed her again and again.  Friar Lawrence
prized them apart gently.

ROMEO
Dear Juliet, if you are as happy as I am and can express it better, then tell me how much
happiness you imagine we have when we add it all up.

JULIET
As usual, you say ridiculous things, you speak extravagantly. And don’t talk about
imagined love. Our love is real. And people who can count their wealth are poor: my
true love has grown so huge that I couldn’t measure half of it.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Come on, come on, enough of this nonsense. Let’s get on with it. Follow me.
Exeunt

ACT III. SCENE I. A public place. 

A PUBLIC AREA IN VERONA 
(Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO) 
They fight near the fountain 

BENVOLIO: Come on MERCUTIO, let's go home. There are CAPULETs everywhere we are
going to get into a fight! 

MERCUTIO: Don’t be such a wimp. 

BENVOLIO: Oh thanks! Great, here come the CAPULETs! I told you! 

MERCUTIO: Oh, let them come! I don’t care! 

(Enter TYBALT: and others) 

TYBALT: Alright lads? I want a word with you. 

MERCUTIO: Just a word? Why not make it a word and a punch? 

TYBALT: If you wind me up I will. 

MERCUTIO: OOOOOHH! SCARY!! 

(He pushes TYBALT) 

BENVOLIO: Cut it out! You remember what the prince said he will kill anyone he finds
fighting in the streets! 

TYBALT: MERCUTIO, I know you hang out with that idiot ROMEO, I want him, not you. 

MERCUTIO: Who are you calling an idiot? You should look in a mirror if you want to see
the real idiot around here! 
(Enter ROMEO) 
Mercutio and Tybalt fight gets interrupted, but they are still in position  
Tybalt wants to fight Romeo now 

TYBALT: Well look who it is! ROMEO, you are a villain. 

ROMEO: I am no villain! If you think that then you don’t know me at all. Normally I
would have you for calling me that, but I have a good reason not to fight you. So,
goodbye. 

TYBALT: You coward! You have insulted my family by crashing our party. Fight me! 

ROMEO: No. 

MERCUTIO: What!? Are you going to let her get away with that? TYBALT, I will fight
you! 

TYBALT: What? 

MERCUTIO: I will fight you, who do you think you are anyway? Stupid CAPULET! 

TYBALT: Right, that’s it! 

(They fight) 

ROMEO: Stop! BENVOLIO help me! 

(TYBALT under ROMEO's arm stabs MERCUTIO, and runs off with his followers) 

MERCUTIO: I am hurt, fetch a doctor! 

ROMEO: Come on, it can’t be that bad? 

MERCUTIO: Oh no it’s just a scratch but it is enough. I am done for. Why? Why did you
hold me back? It 
is your fault that I am hurt! 

ROMEO: I thought I was doing the right thing. 

MERCUTIO: Help me BENVOLIO! A curse on all CAPULETs and MONTAGUEs! It is

because of your stupid fighting that I am dying! 
(Exit MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO) 
Exhaustedly got out  

ROMEO: It’s all my fault. MERCUTIO is one of my best friends, but TYBALT is my new
wife’s cousin! What 
was I supposed to do? 

(Re-enter BENVOLIO) goes near Romeo 

BENVOLIO: O ROMEO MERCUTIO's dead! And here comes TYBALT back again. 

ROMEO: She has killed my friend! I cannot let her get away again! 

(Re-enter TYBALT) 

ROMEO: TYBALT! Brave MERCUTIO lies dead because of you, but his soul is waiting
above our heads either 
you or I must join him! Now, let us see who it is to be! 

(They fight and TYBALT falls) 

BENVOLIO: ROMEO, get out of here! The prince is coming! 

ROMEO: What have I done? 

BENVOLIO: RUN! 

Romeo runs away to net get seen 

(Exit ROMEO: Enter PRINCE, LADY CAPULET) 
Saw Tybalt dying and Mercutio’s dead body 

PRINCE: What has happened here? 

BENVOLIO: TYBALT killed Mercutio, So ROMEO killed TYBALT. 

LADY CAPULET: TYBALT, my cousin! Prince, I demand revenge! 

PRINCE: BENVOLIO, who began this fight? 

BENVOLIO: TYBALT. She tried to fight ROMEO, But ROMEO said no. TYBALT fought and
killed MERCUTIO, 
and then came back again, looking again for ROMEO They fought, and ROMEO killed
her. 

LADY CAPULET: He is a MONTAGUE! You can’t believe him! ROMEO killed TYBALT! He
must die! 

PRINCE: For ROMEO’s crime he will be exiled. Never again to return to Verona. 

(Exit) black out   

ACT 3 SCENE 2 
CAPULET HOUSE 
(Enter JULIET) 

JULIET: I can’t wait until tonight, to see my ROMEO again. O here comes my NURSE. You
look so upset! 
What has happened? 

NURSE: Dead! Brave, good and true and now dead! 

JULIET: What? Dead? My true love? We only got married today. Why? Why did this
happen? I can’t live without him! 

NURSE: I wish that ROMEO were dead! 

JULIET: What? I don’t understand! You just told me he WAS dead! Tell me what is going
on? Is my ROMEO 
dead or not? 

NURSE: TYBALT is dead! She was killed, killed by ROMEO and now ROMEO is exiled, 
Never again to return to Verona! 

JULIET: O No! How could such a handsome face hide a killer? Was I wrong to love him? 

NURSE: A curse on ROMEO! 

JULIET: How dare you! 

NURSE: How can you defend the man who killed your cousin? 

JULIET: That man is my husband! And he is banished? Then will I never see him again? 
NURSE: I know that he is hiding at Friar Lawrence’s church. I will find him and bring him
to you. JULIET so we can say our last goodbyes. 

(Exit) black out 

ACT 3 SCENE 3 
IN FRIAR LAWRENCE’S CELL 
(Enter FRIAR LAURENCE) 

FRIAR LAURENCE: ROMEO! Come out! You are in so much trouble. 

(Enter ROMEO) 

ROMEO: What news? What has the Princess decided? Am I to be put to death? 

FRIAR LAURENCE: The Princess has been merciful; you are not to die but to leave
Verona forever. 

ROMEO: Away from JULIET? Forever? I would rather die! 

FRIAR LAURENCE: I am sure we can think of something. 

ROMEO: No! I will not live without JULIET! 

FRIAR LAURENCE: Don’t be so ungrateful! Better to be sent away than to die! 

(Knock at the door) 

FRIAR LAURENCE: ROMEO, hide! 

ROMEO: No! 

(Knocking) 

FRIAR LAURENCE: ROMEO! You will be taken away! HIDE! 

(Knocking and ROMEO hides) 

FRIAR LAURENCE: Who is there? What do you want? 

NURSE: I come from Lady JULIET. 

FRIAR LAURENCE: Welcome, then. 

(Enter NURSE) 

NURSE: Where is my lady's lord, where's ROMEO? 

FRIAR LAURENCE: Hiding and very unhappy. 

NURSE: JULIET too, she hasn’t stopped crying! ROMEO! Stand up! Be a man, for JULIET
you must be strong! 

ROMEO: NURSE! 

NURSE: ROMEO! 

ROMEO: How is JULIET! Does she hate me for killing her cousin? What does she say
about me having to leave? 

NURSE: O, she says nothing, sir, but cries and cries. 

ROMEO: I hate myself for doing this to her! I would be better dead! 

(Draws his sword and points it at his own heart) 

FRIAR LAURENCE: STOP! You foolish man! Listen, TYBALT wanted to kill you, but you
killed her instead, that’s a good thing! The law says you should have been killed for what
you did, instead you are only sent away, that’s a good thing, JULIET is alive and loves you
still, and again you should be happy not crying and moaning! Go and see JULIET tonight
but leave early in the morning for Mantua. Live there, until we can find a good time to
tell everyone about your marriage, beg forgiveness of the princess and bring you back! 

NURSE: You are so wise! ROMEO I will tell JULIET you are coming. Here is a ring she
asked me to give you. 

ROMEO: Then she does still love me! 

(NURSE: Exit) walk away 

FRIAR LAURENCE: Go quickly, go to see JULIET! Stay in Mantua and I will send a
message to you as soon as I can! Farewell. 

ROMEO: I am going to miss you. I must go to JULIET! 

(Exit) back out 

ACT 3 SCENE 4 
(Enter CAPULET! LADY CAPULET! And PARIS) THEM TALKING 

CAPULET: TYBALT’s death has meant that I have had not had time to speak to JULIET
about your wedding. 

PARIS: I understand, in times of sadness, there is no room for love. Madam, good night:
speak well of me to JULIET! 

LADY CAPULET: I will, and I will know how she feels in the morning. To-night she is too
sad about TYBALT! 

CAPULET: Sir PARIS! I will take a chance and tell you that JULIET does love you. She is a
good girl and normally does as I tell her. Wife, go to JULIET and tell that PARIS loves her
and that on Wednesday no that is too soon, on Thursday, she will become his wife! Will
you be ready? Is this alright with you? It won’t be a big do, not with TYBALT being only
just killed, people might think we are being disrespectful! So, what do you think to
Thursday then? 

PARIS: My lord, I wish that Thursday was tomorrow! 

CAPULET: Fantastic! Thursday it is then! See you then! Wife, go to JULIET and prepare
her to be married! Good night! 
(Exit) 
 
ACT 3 SCENE 5 
JULIETS BEDROOM 
(Enter ROMEO and JULIET) 
Romeo and Juliet, it is early morning, and Romeo and Juliet are looking out of Juliet's
bedroom window after having just spent the night together. 

JULIET: Do you have to go? It is not even a day. I can still hear the nightingales singing! 

ROMEO: It was the lark, singing of the coming of morning, not the nightingale: look,
love, the sun is rising! I must be gone and live or stay and die. 

JULIET: That light is not the sun! It could be a shooting star sent to light your journey, so
you don’t need 
to go yet! 
ROMEO: Fine! My love, you are right it is not the sun! Let me be taken, let me die! 

JULIET: wishes it to be so! 

JULIET: Oh, it is the sun! It is! Go ROMEO go! It is getting lighter and lighter now! 

ROMEO: The more light there is the darker my heart grows! 

(Enter NURSE! to the chamber) 

NURSE: Madam! 

JULIET: NURSE! 

NURSE: You mother is coming! Day is breaking, look out! 

(Exit) 

JULIET: Then, window, let day in, and let life out. 

ROMEO: Farewell, farewell! One kiss, and I'll go. 

(He moves away) 

JULIET: Are you still there my darling husband? You must write to me every day. It feels
like forever until I can see you again. 

ROMEO: Farewell! I will write to you all the time. 

JULIET: O do you think we shall ever meet again? 

ROMEO: Of course, my love, we will look back on this and laugh! 

JULIET: O no, no. I think I can see you in my mind, and you are dead! How pale you
look! 

ROMEO: You look pale to me too; it is only because we are sad to part. I must go,
goodbye! 

(Exit) 
JULIET: Hurry back to me. 

(LADY CAPULET call from offstage) 

LADY CAPULET: Daughter? Are you up? 

JULIET: Is that my mother? She is up early! I wonder why? 

(Enter LADY CAPULET) 

LADY CAPULET: JULIET! What’s wrong? 

JULIET: I am not well. 

LADY CAPULET: Still weeping for TYBALT! Well, I suppose it shows how much you loved
her, but you must cheer up! 

JULIET: I will cry, for as long as I feel my terrible loss. 

LADY CAPULET: Well, shall I tell you some wonderful, joyful news? JULIET: I could do
with some joyful news! What is it? 

LADY CAPULET: Well, you are lucky to have a father who cares for you! He has decided
to cheer you up by arranging a day of joy, one that you will not expect, and I had hardly
dare hope would happen! 

JULIET: Day of joy? 

LADY CAPULET: Next Thursday morning, the young, rich, and handsome man, Lord
PARIS! at Saint Peter's Church, shall happily make you a joyful bride! 

JULIET: NO! By Saint Peter’s church! He will not make me a joyful bride! How can you
expect me to get married so fast!? I have hardly even met him! Tell my father I will not
marry PARIS! I will NEVER marry PARIS! I hate him! 

LADY CAPULET: Here comes your father; tell him so yourself and see how he takes it! 
(Enter CAPULET and NURSE) 

CAPULET: Still crying JULIET! Have you not told her the good news? 

LADY CAPULET: I have, but she says she will not marry him! 
CAPULET: What? How dare she? Is she not grateful for my hard work in finding her so
handsome and rich a husband? Is she not proud that pathetic and unworthy as she is
that a Lord wants to marry her? 

JULIET: How can I be proud or grateful for something I hate? 

CAPULET: How dare you! Who do you think you are? Answering me back! Arguing with
my decision! You will prepare yourself to be married on Thursday. If I must drag you
there, you will go! You are ugly, 
ungrateful, rude disobedient child! 

LADY CAPULET: Stop! Stop have you gone mad!? 

JULIET: Father, I beg you on my knees, please listen! 

CAPULET: No! You are disgusting, disobedient child! Get off me! You will get yourself to
church on Thursday or never after can you be my daughter, can you starve in the streets
for all I care! Do as I say! I wish that you had never been born! 

NURSE: My Lord! Stop shouting at her like that! 

CAPULET: Get out NURSE! 

NURSE: I haven’t said anything wrong! 

CAPULET: Shut up you are mumbling old fool! 

LADY CAPULET: Calm down! 

CAPULET: It makes me so angry! I have been working for years to find her a husband! A
Lord, handsome, rich, a real catch! And she cries and whines, she says “I will not love! I
am too young!” No! I will not be made to look a fool. I mean what I say, you will do as I
command or you will starve, beg in the streets, die for all I care!! You will be married on
Thursday! 

(Exit) 

JULIET: Will no-one listen to me? Mother! Don’t send me away! Don’t make me marry
PARIS! 

LADY CAPULET: Don’t speak to me! I have had enough of you! (Exit) 
JULIET: Oh NURSE! What can we do? I am married to ROMEO! Please NURSE! help me!
Comfort me! 

NURSE: Well, here’s what I think. ROMEO is sent away for ever; he may never return! I
think it best you marry PARIS! Oh JULIET! PARIS is so handsome and rich; He is so much
better than ROMEO! I think you are lucky to have a second marriage, it is so much better
than you are first, and anyway ROME: is as good as dead being so far away! 

JULIET: Do you really mean that? 

NURSE: I do. 

JULIET: Then there is the end. 

NURSE: What? 

JULIET: Well, I feel so much better now! Go to my Father, tell him I am sorry and that I
have gone to see Father Laurence to pray for forgiveness. 

NURSE: I will. Good for you! 

(Exit) 

JULIET: You old hag! How could you say such things to me! From now on you and I are
finished. I will go and see Friar Laurence see if he can help me! 
(Exit) 
 
ACT IV 
SCENE I. Friar Lawrence’s Cell. 
Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE and PARIS 
Friar Lawrence 
Thursday? 
That’s short notice. 
Paris 
It’s what my father-to-be wants, 
And I’m happy to go along with it. 
 
Friar Lawrence rubs his chin 
 
Friar Lawrence 
You say you don’t know what she feels about it? 
Hmm. That’s no good. I don’t like it. 
Paris 
She is so upset over Tybalt! Her father thinks that this will cheer her up.  
 
Friar Lawrence and Paris walks to the door of the Chapel 
 
Enter JULIET 
 
Paris smiles and takes her hand to his lips 
 
Paris 
How nice to see you, my love, my wife. 
Juliet 
You may call me that when I am a wife.  
 
Juliet and the Friar exchange glances 
 
Paris 
I may call you my wife, or must do so, Love, on Thursday. 
Juliet 
What must happen will happen 
Friar Lawrence 
Oh yes, that’s one thing we can be sure of. 
Paris 
Have you come to confess to this holy father? 
Juliet 
It’s none of your business. 
Paris 
When you do make your confession, don’t say you don’t love me. 
Juliet 
I’ll confess to you that I love the holy father. 
 
Juliet gives Friar Lawrence a desperate look 
 
Paris 
And I know you’ll tell him you love me. 
Juliet 
If I do that, it will be worth more behind your back than to your face. 
Paris 
Poor soul, tears have spoilt your face. 
Juliet 
Then the tears haven’t achieved much, my face was bad enough before they started. 
Paris 
Don’t say that it’s not true. 
 
Juliet 
I’m not ashamed of the truth, especially as I said it to my own face. 
Paris 
Your face is mine and you have slandered it. 
Juliet 
My face may as well be yours because it’s not mine. 
 
Juliet turns her back on him abruptly  
 
Juliet  
Are you free now holy Father, or shall I come back at evening mass? 
Friar Lawrence 
I’m free now, sad daughter, my Lord, I must ask you to leave us now. 
Paris 
God forbid that I should interfere with devotion! 
Juliet, I’ll come early on Thursday. Until then, goodbye. 
Exit Paris 
Juliet 
Oh, shut the door! Tell me what to do! I can’t marry Paris! 
Friar Lawrence 
I know! I know! Things look so bad, but I do have an idea. It is so risky though, and you
will need to be very brave. 
Friar Lawrence 
OK then this is what we shall do. Once you are in bed on Wednesday night and everyone
has left you, drink this. Your skin will grow pale and cold, you will not seem to breathe.
In the morning when they come to fetch you, they will think that you are dead. They will
carry you to your family’s tomb. After two days, you will wake up, and I will send for
Romeo to be there when you do so that he can take you away with him. Do you think
that you are brave enough? 
Juliet 
Give it to me! I am not afraid! 
 
Friar Lawrence gives Juliet the drink 
 
Friar Lawrence 
Go then, do as I say. I will write to Romeo!  
Exeunt 
 
SCENE III. The Juliet’s room. 
Enter JULIET 
Lord Capulet 
 
Juliet 
I am so scared of what I have to do now. What if the potion doesn’t work? Then I will
end up getting married tomorrow! Or even worse, what I wake up too early, Before
Romeo has come to get me And I am in the grave surrounded with bones and skulls and
rats!

Lady Capulet knocks on the door

Juliet hides the vial behind her back
Enter LADY CAPULET

Lady Capulet 
Do you need my help?  
Juliet 
No mother, we have found a lovely dress. Why don’t you let the Nurse look after you
tonight for a change? I would like to be on my own for a while, Tomorrow will be such a
busy day. There must be so many things to get ready, perhaps she could help? 

Lady Capulet sits next to Juliet on her bed

Lady Capulet 
Good night, go to bed and get the rest you need.
Juliet
Goodbye. God knows when we shall meet again.
Lady Capulet
Goodnight Juliet!  

Lady Capulet turns off the lights

Exit LADY CAPULET
 
Juliet uncorks the bottle and raises it to her lips 
Juliet 
Romeo! Romeo! Romeo! I drink to you!  
 
She falls back on the bed 
 
Exeunt 

SCENE V 
 
Enter JULIET lying on the bed, FRIAR LAURENCE and LORD CAPULET

Friar Lawrence touches Juliet’s face to see if she is dead

Friar Lawrence 
As the custom is, cover her in flowers and take her to church. She will be laid to rest in
your great monument. 
Lord Capulet 
Cancel all the wedding plans and where there was light and joy and color let there be
black.  

Enter the members of the Capulet family attending the funeral and BALTHASAR

Balthasar sees Juliet on her deathbed

Exeunt 

 
ACT V  
SCENE I  
Enter ROMEO 
ROMEO 
I had a dream that I would get some good news today! A dream that Juliet found me
dead, but kissed me back to life! 
Enter BALTHASAR 
Romeo 
Ah! News from Verona! Do you have letters for me? From Friar Laurence? How is my
father? How is Juliet! As long as she is well, I am happy!  
Balthasar 
Oh Romeo! Juliet is dead! I saw them bury her in CAPULET’s tomb, and I came here at
once to tell you!  
Romeo 
NO! Get me a horse. I leave for Verona tonight. 
Balthasar 
Wait! You look like a madman! 
Romeo 
I am fine. Have you no letters to me from the friar? 
Balthasar 
No, my good lord.  
Romeo 
Never mind, just go, and get the horses.  
Exit BALTHASAR  
Romeo 
Well, JULIET! I will sleep next to you tonight. How shall I choose to die? I think I can
remember an apothecary who sells some potions that I could use. I will go to him now. 
Romeo 
leaves and walks for a while then bangs on a door.  
Enter Apothecary 
Apothecary 
Who calls so loud? 
Romeo 
Come here. Do you know how to make a poison that will quickly allow a man to end his
life?  
Apothecary  
Such drugs I have; but the law is death to anyone who sells them.  
Romeo 
I can see that you are poor. I will give you a thousand pieces of gold for a bottle of your
drug. 
Apothecary 
It is only because I am so poor that I will agree. Take this and put it in any drink you like.
It will do the job.  
Romeo 
There is your gold. Goodbye! Buy yourself some food. To me this is heaven, not poison! I
will use you at Juliet’s grave. 
Exeunt 
 
 
SCENE II 
Enter FRIAR JOHN 
Friar John 
Friar Laurence! Are you in? 
Enter FRIAR LAURENCE 
Friar Lawrence 
Hello Friar John! Just got back from Mantua? How was Romeo! Did he send me a letter? 
Friar John 
I have not been to Mantua! I was delayed.  
Friar Lawrence 
Who took the letter I sent to Romeo then?  
Friar John 
 It’s here I could not send it. 
Friar Lawrence 
Oh no! That was a very important letter! Then Romeo will not be there when Juliet
wakes! Oh quick! We must go to the cemetery! I will bring Juliet back here until I can
send for Romeo! 
Exeunt 
SCENE III 
Enter PARIS  
Paris kneels and places the flowers on the ground 
Paris 
My sweet flower, my Juliet! I bring you flowers. I will come to your grave and cry every
night. 
Paris hears a sound 
Paris 
Someone’s coming! 
 
Paris gets the flowers and hides 
 
Enter ROMEO and BALTHASAR  
Romeo 
Give me the crow bar so I can enter the tomb. Here is a letter for my mother, please
deliver it in the morning. Now go away, I only want to see her face again and take a ring
from her finger, but I don’t want to be disturbed.  
 
 
Balthasar 
I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.  
Romeo  
Thank you, friend. Now goodbye.  
 
Balthasar walks away a good distance from Romeo before speaking 
 
Balthasar 
He looks wild, I’m afraid he will do something awful so I will hide here and check if he is
ok. 
 
Balthasar hides 
 
Romeo 
Now I will see my love. 
 
Romeo opens the tomb 
 
Paris 
That’s Romeo! He has come to harm the bodies of his Capulet enemies!  
 
Paris gets out of his hiding spot 
 
Paris 
STOP!  You vile Montague! I arrest you in the name of the Prince!  
Romeo 
You are a good man Paris so I will give you a chance, I will enter this grave and if you try
to stop me then I will kill you. So go away!  
Paris 
No! I arrest you!  
Romeo 
You will not take me! 
 
Romeo and Paris fights 
Falls 
 
Paris 
O, I am killed! 
Paris 
Please, please lie me with Juliet! 
(Dies) 
Romeo 
I will. Poor Paris!  
 
Lays Paris in the tomb 
 
Romeo 
Oh, there is my love, my Juliet! You are still so beautiful; how can that be? There is
Tybalt! Wrapped in her shroud, I will make things right Tybalt! And use the hand that
killed you to finish my own life. Juliet! you are still so lovely; I will stay with you here
forever. Eyes, look for the last time. Arms, take a last embrace. Lips, one final kiss.
Here's to my love! 
 
Romeo drinks   
 
Romeo 
Oh, these drugs are quick, so with a kiss I die. 
 
Romeo dies 
 
Juliet wakes up 
 
JULIET 
Oh! I remember where I am! But where is my Romeo! Here! And Paris too, both dead?
What’s this? Romeo has drunk poison! There is none left to help me follow you! I will
miss you. Maybe some of the mixture is still on your lips? No. Someone is coming. I must
be quick! Oh, a dagger! So will I die!  
 
Kills herself with the dagger and falls on Romeo’s body 
 
Enter FRIAR LAURENCE outside the tomb 
 
Friar Lawrence 
I must be quick! Who is there?  
Balthasar 
Balthasar, I came here with Romeo! 
Friar Lawrence 
Then that is his torch I see in Capulet’s tomb?  
Balthasar 
It is.  
 
Friar Lawrence 
How long has he been there?  
Balthasar 
For half an hour. 
Friar Lawrence 
Come with me quickly!  
Balthasar 
I can’t, I told him I was gone!  
Friar Lawrence 
Stay, then; I'll go alone. Romeo! 
Enters the tomb  
Friar Lawrence 
Romeo! And Paris too? And JULIET! All dead!  
 
Enter the Prince 
 
Prince 
What is this? Paris is killed! Romeo too lies here dead And Juliet warm and bleeding and
dead again? Who can tell me what has happened here? 
Enter rest of the cast   
Lord Capulet 
What is going on?  
Lady Capulet 
The people in the street shout Romeo! Some say Juliet! And some Paris; and all run,
towards our monument.  
Lord Capulet 
O heavens! O wife, look how Juliet bleeds! But she was dead!  
Lady Capulet 
Oh!  
 
Lady Montague 
What? Is that my Romeo! How can this be?  
Prince 
Quiet all of you! I want to know what has happened here!  
Friar Lawrence 
I can tell you what has happened.  
Prince 
Then tell me at once. 
Friar Lawrence 
I will. Romeo and Juliet were married. I married them the same day the Tybalt was
killed. So, Romeo was sent away it was for him and not Tybalt that Juliet cried. You then
tried to force her to marry which she could not do; as she was already a wife. So, she
came to me for help. I gave her a sleeping potion to make her look dead and tried to
arrange for Romeo to collect her when she woke. My letter to Romeo was never
delivered and when he heard of her death, he came back to end his own life and lie with
her. This he did and upon waking Juliet saw her true love dead and ended her own life.  
Prince 
Why was Paris here?  
Balthasar 
He came with flowers for Juliet but he saw Romeo and they fought.  
Prince 
Lord Capulet! Lady Montague! See, how God despises your hate, that he kills your
children with love. I have been too soft on you both and I too have lost relatives in this
fight. We are all punished. 
Lady Capulet 
O sister Montague! Give me your hand: We are friends.  
Lady Montague 
I will build JULIET a statue in pure gold, for she was a true and faithful wife.  
Lord Capulet 
And I will build one for Romeo! 
 
 
Prince 
We have a grey peace this morning. The sun is too sad to raise his head. We will talk
more of these sad things. For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her
Romeo! 
 
Exeunt