Romeo and Juliet Act 1 Summary:

Scene 1
 Capulet servants mock Montague servants.
 A brawl develops on the streets of Verona.
 Young and old from both houses are involved.
 Tybalt jeers Benvolio's efforts to stop the fight.
 Prince Escalus warns that another fight will be punishable by death.
 Benvolio and the Montagues discuss Romeo's moodiness.
 Romeo explains to Benvolio that he is in love but his love is not returned.
Benvolio tells him to forget the woman.
Scene 2
 Capulet tells Paris that it should not be too hard for both him and the
Montagues to keep the peace.
 Capulet asks Paris to consider him suit of marriage to Juliet.
 Capulet asks Paris to be patient, telling him that she is only 13 and asks him
to wait two more summers before marrying.
 He invites Paris to the feast where he can try and woo Juliet.
 He sends out a servant to invite people from a list but he cannot read.
 Romeo and Benvolio meet the servant and read the list for him.
 Benvolio suggests that they go to the party where Romeo will see Rosaline
and Benvolio will make him look at other women to get over her.
Scene 3
 Lady Capulet sends for Juliet to talk to her about marriage.
 The Nurse says Juliet will soon be 14.
 Lady Capulet informs Juliet that Paris wants to marry her.
 Juliet says that she will do as her mother wishes and will go along to the
party and see what Paris is like.
Scene 4
 Romeo, Benvolio, Mercutio and a few more are on their way to the party.
 Romeo is reluctant to go in and says he will hold the torch instead.
 Mercutio rambles on about Queen Mab and dreams.
 Romeo fears that something that happens tonight will result in death.
Scene 5
 Capulet greets his guests and encourages them to dance.
 He discusses with his cousin how long it has been since either of them has
danced.
 Romeo sees Juliet and is stunned by her beauty.
 Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice and orders one of his servants to get his
rapier, so that he can kill Romeo.
 Capulet advises Tybalt not to cause trouble.
 Tybalt, now angry, leaves the feast intending on getting his own way.
 Romeo speaks to Juliet and kisses her.
 Romeo learns from the Nurse that Juliet is Capulet's daughter.
 Juliet learns from the Nurse that Romeo is the son of her father's enemy.