Romeo and Juliet

ROMEO AND JULIET
William Shakespear

1. CAPULER’S BANQUET

There was great enmity between the two noblest families in the city of Verona. The names of the two families were the Montagues and the Capulets. There were angry words and fights whenever the followers of the two families met. Their noisy quarrels often disturbed the sound sleep of peaceful citizens.

Once the old Lord Capulet gave a grand feast. The noblest Lords and the most.

Beautiful ladies of the city were invited to it. Of course no one of the name of Montague was invited.

The lovely lady Rosalina was among the guests. Now Romeo was madly in love with her. He was the handsome young son of old Lord Montague. He could not even sleep at night. He always thought of Rosalina and that kept off sleep. It was his one wish to be near her Rosaline, however had no love for Romeo, she plainly showed this when ever they met.

Romeo was eager to go to the feast in order to be near Rosaline. But he was a Montague and his going there might cost him his life. Therefore he decided that he would to there in a mask. Than no one would recognize him Romeo would see ladies far more beautiful than Rosalina at the banquet. There was a man named Benvolio. He hoped that this would cure Romeo of his mad love for the proud Rosaline. So he encouraged Romeo to go to the feast.





2. ROMEO MEETS JULIET

Romeo with two of his friends went to the Capulets feast. His two friends were Benvolio and Mercutio. All three were wearing masks. Rosaline was there in all her beauty, but Romeo’s eyes and heart were suddenly attracted by a young lady of far greater loveliness. Her beauty shone like a rich ewel. The lamps seemed dull beside her beauty. This was what Romeo thought and he said so to his friends.

The nephew of old Lord Capulet Tybalt, heard Romeo speaking. Romeo’s voice helped him to know him. Tybalt was very angry to think that a Montague had made his way into the house of the Capulets. He in his anger was ready to kill Romeo on the spot. Hid uncle held him back. But Tybalt swore that he would punish this “evil Montague.”

Romeo went up to where that unknown beauty was standing when the dancing was over. He took her hand gently. He called it a holy place, and said that he was a humble pilgrim and would kiss that holy place.

The young lady said, “Good pilgrim, saints have hands which pilgrims may touch but not kiss.”

Romeo asked, “Haven’t saint’s lips and pilgrims too?”

The lady said, “Yes they have and they must use their lips in prayer.”

Then Romeo said, “Oh then my dear saint hear my prayer and grant it or I shall feel very unhappy.”

While they were talking to each other in this romantic manner Juliet’s nurse came. She told the young lady that her mother wanted to have a word with her. Juliet went away. Romeo asked the nurse who the young lady’s mother was. She told him that her mother was old lady Capulet. The lovely young lady was Juliet. She was the daughter and heiress of old Lord Capulet, the great enemy of the Montagues. A Capulet girl had won his heart!

From her nurse Juliet came to know that her handsome lover was Romeo. Thus she knew that he was the son and heir of old Lord Montague, her father’s great enemy. A Montague manhad won her heart!


3. JULIET DECLARES HER LOVE

Romeo and his tow friends left the house of the Capulets at midnight. Benvolio and Mercutio went home but Romeo returned to where his heart was. He climbed over the wall of the Capulets garden. Then he entered their orchard. He stood there in the shadow of a tree.

Suddenly the window above his head was opened Juliet appeared there. She was leaning on the window sill. Her beauty shone like the splendid sun rising in the east. When she appeared the moon seemed to be sick and pale. Juliet placed her chin on her hand; Romeo wished that he were a glove on that hand so that he could touch her lovely face!

Juliet thought that she was quite alone. She uttered a deep sigh, “Ah me.”

Romeo said too softly to be heard by her, “Speak! Speak bright angel.”

Juliet cried, “Oh Romeo! Romeo! Why are you a Montague? Leave your father. Give up you name. But if you do not, I will give up the name of Capulet for love of you, my Romeo.”

Romeo could no longer keep silent. He said, Call me by any name you like. I am no longer Romeo if that name does not please you.”

Juliet heard a man’s voice. She was alarmed at first. But soon her heart told her that it was Romeo’s voice, Romeo was there beneath her window.


4. JULIET PROMISES TO MARRY ROMEO

In fear Juliet cried out, “Oh, why have you come here? If any one of my family see you. He will kill you at once.”

Romeo said, “Oh lady, there is more danger in your lovely eyes than in twenty of their swords. Let them kill me. I have no wish to live without your love.”

Juliet asked, “How did you come here? Who showed you the way?”

Romeo answered, “Love, love led me here to you.”

She remembered how she had declared her love for Romeo. She blushed for shame. She could not take back her words. She could deny her love. She could only beg him not to think lightly of her for her declaration of love.

She said, “I thought that I was all alone. How could I know that you were there?”

Romeo said, “I love you all the more for speaking out.”

The voice of Juliet’s nurse was heard at this moment. She was calling Juliet to come to bed, for it was nearly day. Juliet went inside. She came out again in a minute of tow. She said, “If you love me truly and will marry me. I will send a messenger to you tomorrow. He will fix the time of our marriage. All that I have I shall give you, and nobody shall ever part us.”

Her nurse called Juliet to come in and get into bed time and time again. Juliet obeyed went in and then came out again. She seemed to be under a charm and it drew her towards Romeo. Romeo also was enchanted. He was quite unable to move away from Juliet.


5. THE LOVERS ARE MARRIED


When Romeo left the house of the Capulets, it was daybreak. He was too full of love to sleep. So he did not go home to go to bed. He went to a monastery nearby to speak to Friar Lawrence. This good friar had always been Romeo’s friend and adviser. He had been like a father to him.

Friar Lawrence was already up and was busy in his garden. He was gathering flowers and herbs for medicine. The good friar was famous for his knowledge of plants and their usefulness in healing. He was surprised to see Romeo so early in the morning. He thought that love of Rosaline had kept Romeo awake and brought him out so early.

Romeo told the friar of his love for Juliet. He asked the friar lifted up his hands and eyes in surprise. He told Romeo. “A young men’s love lies in his eyes and not in his heart, I see.”

Romeo answered him, “I love Juliet with all my heart and she loves me with all hers.”

For a time the friar said nothing. He thought, “Perhaps this marriage will end the quarrel between the Montagues and the Capulets and bring peace to the city.”

Accordingly he promised the marry Romeo and Juliet.

Soon after this Juliet’s messenger came to Romeo. Romeo sent back this message; I am waiting for you here in Friar Lawrence’s cell. Come, my love.”

Juliet returned home after the marriage ceremony. She waited there for Romeo to some to her that night in secret. The time seemed to pass very slowly. It was hard for her of be patient.



6. ROMEO KILL TYBALT

A sad thing happened that same morning. Benvolio and Mercutio happened to meet Tybalt with others of the Capulet family. Tybalt was a man of fiery temper. He blamed Mercutio for being friendly with Romeo. Mercutio temper was no less fiery. He gave Tybalt a rude answer and q quarrel began. Tybalt had already drawn his sword. He was ready to fight. Suddenly he saw Romeo passing by. He at once turned his attention to Romeo. He shouted at him “Villain!.”

Romeo had no wish to quarrel with Tybalt because he was Juliet’s cousin. Besides Romeo was not quarrel some by nature. So he tried to make peace with Tybalt. He called him, “Good Capulet.” Tybalt had a fierce hatred for Romeo, so he would not listen to him. He called him on to fight. Romeo still held back. This seemed like cowardice to Mercutio. He drew his sword and attacked Tybalt. This fight was soon over. Mercutio lay dead in a pool of blood.

“Villain!” shouted Romeo and drew his sword to revenge his friend. He killed Tybalt.

Soon a crowd gathered. The old lords Capulet and Montague with their wives arrived there. The prince of Verona soon arrived; such quarrels had long disturbed his city. He was determined to punish the offenders severely.

Benvolio had witnessed the fight. So the prince ordered him to give him a true account of it. Benvolio did it. Lady Capulet was deeply grieved over the death of her nephew. She begged the prince to have no mercy on his murder. On the other hand lady Montague begged the prince to pardon her son. The prince listened attentively and then gave his judgment. He banished Romeo from Verona.

This was sad new for Juliet. She had been a wife for an hour of two. Now she would be separated from her husband for ever. She was grieved over her cousin Tybalt’s death. But she was more deeply grieved over the banishment of Romeo. That was hirer for her to bear than the death of many Tybalt’s.


7. ROMEO IS BANISHEED

Romeo had fled to Friar Lawrence’s cell after the fight. There he learned of the prince’s judgment at first, at first it seemed to him more terrible then death. How could he live away from his Juliet? Friar Lawrence tried to comfort him but he would not be comforted. He behaved like a madmen. He tore his hair and threw himself on the ground. He said, “Measure me for my grave, good father.”

A letter from Juliet saved him from despair. He grew calmer. Then the good friar spoke to him sternly. He said to him, “Be a man! After all the judgment was a merciful one. You are alive, Juliet is alive and she is your wife. You are a lucky fellow, Cheer up!

He began to listen to the friar’s advice. His words gave Romeo courage. The friar advised, “As soon as it’s dark make your way to Juliet and say farewell to her. Then go on to Mantua. Stray there till I send you word that all is well. Soon all will be well. When the right moment comes, I shall tell your parents and the Capulets of your marriage. With God’s help, I shall win their consent to it. Then the prince will be ready to pardon you. I’ll write to you from time to time. I’ll let you know how things are here.”
Romeo followed the friar’s advice. He went into the Capulets orchard. Then he walked to Juliet’s room under cover of darkness. Great was the joy of the lovers to be together again. How they wished to stay together for ever! Daybreak came too soon for them, Romeo had to leave. If he were found in Verona, he would be put to death.



8. FRIAR LAWTENCE’S ADVICE


Though Romeo was banished, he was alive and safe in Mantua. Juliet comforted herself up with this thought. Then a great misfortune happened. Her father arranged a marriage for her. He chose a handsome noble and wealthy young man as her bridegroom. His name was Count Paris. Count Paris had everything to speak for him. He would have been a very suitable husband for Juliet if she had not married Romeo.

Poor Juliet did all she could to delay the marriage. She told her father, “I am too young. It is too soon after my dear cousin Tybalt’s death.” Her father would not listen to her. “On Thursday the wedding would take place.” He told her. It was Tuesday then; Juliet had only two days in which to act.

Juliet went quickly to the monastery to request Friar Lawrence to help her. She said to him, “If you don’t help me. I shall kill myself.”

Her words touched the good friar. He said, “a difficult case needs a dangerous remedy. Are you brave enough to take a dangerous remedy?”

She answered, “I am willing to do anything for love of Romeo.”:

Then Friar Lawrence gave her this advice. “Go home now. Say that you are willing to marry Count Paris as your father wishes. Try to look happy. Tomorrow night drink the medicine which I’m going to prepare for you. It will make you seem dead for the next forty-tow hours. Everyone will think that you are dead. They will carry you to the family tomb and put you inside it. I shall send a messenger to Romeo. He will tell Romeo all this. When you wake up, Romeo will be there at your side. He’ll carry you off with him to Mantua.


9. A WEDDING BECOMES A FUNERAL

This remedy of Friar Lawrence’s was indeed a dangerous one. It filled Juliet with great fear. But her love for Romeo was stronger than her fear. She promised the friar to follow his advice. She let the monastery with a small bottle of medicine in her pocket.

That day and the next Juliet helped with the preparations for her wedding. Everyone was busy over this. Old Lord Capulet was going to spend a great deal of money. It was going to be the richest feast ever given in Verona.

Juliet drank the medicine on Wednesday night. She was full of fear as she did so. Perhaps it was poison! Perhaps she would wake up too soon and find herself all alone among the skeletons in the tom! May be there were ghosts there! Poor Juliet shook with fear. However, she swallowed the medicine in the small bottle. Such was her great love for Romeo!

Count Paris came for his bride early in the next morning. Juliet’s mother went to call her. To her horror she found a lifeless body on Juliet’s bed. Oh, what confusion there was! What grief! Count Paris was mad with grief of old Lord and Lady Capulet was far greater. Juliet was their only child. All their love and all their hopes were in her. And death had taken her just at that moment when she was going to marry a noble and wealthy bridegroom!

Juliet’s funeral took the place of her wedding. She was taken to the church not as smiling bride but as a lifeless corpse. She was buried by the priest who would have married her.



10. ROMEO POISONS HIMSELFE IN JULIER’S TOMB

Always bed news travels faster then good. The news of Juliet’s death and burial reached Romeo in Mantua. It reached him before the message sent by Friar Lawrence. He fell into deepest grief. In this hopeless state, he remembered a poor chemist, whose shop he had once passed. He had noted the empty bottles standing on the dirty shelves and had thought. “This chemist is so poor that he would be ready to sell poison to anyone who could pay him well.” Now he went to the chemist’s shop. The chemist accepted Romeo’s gold eagerly although the sale of poison was a great crime. He sold him some poison strong enough to kill twenty men

“Stop, evil Montague!” a sharp voice came.

It was Count Paris. He had come with flowers for Juliet and to weep at her tomb. He recognized Romeo and supposed that he had come there for some evil purpose. He shouted, ‘Criminal!’ and tried to seize him. Romeo drew his sword and struck him dead.

By the light of his lantern, Romeo recognized Paris. He knew that this young man was the bridegroom chosen for Juliet by his father. He took the young man’s hand in his. He called him gently, “Brother.” Their common grief, the death of Juliet had made them brothers. He opened the tomb and placed Count Paris inside it.

He looked long at his Juliet. In perfect beauty, she lay there untouched by death. Tybalt, her cousin lay at her side, Romeo spoke to him calling him, “Cousin” and begged his forgiveness.

He said a last farewell to his dear wife. He gave her a last kiss. Then he drank the poison and died at once.


11. JULIET KILLS HERSELF

By that time friar Lawrence had learned that his messenger had never reached Romeo. An accident on the road had prevented him from doing so. The good old man, therefore, went to the churchyard. He went there at the time when the expected Juliet to wake. He was surprised to find a light burning in the tomb of the Capulets. He was full of fear and grief when he found Paris and Romeo lying there dead. He almost fainted from the shock. Then came the faint voice of Juliet. She said , “Romeo where is Romeo?”

Now Juliet was awake but her Romeo was dead!

The sound of cries and shouts came there. People were coming. They soon would see the friar with the two dead bodies. They would think that he was the murderer. The friar ran away; he was out of his mind with fear.

Juliet saw Romeo lying there dead. The small bottle that had held the poison was neat him. She took it up. She wanted to drink what was left. But nothing was left. She kissed the lips of her lover eagerly. She hoped that she would find some poison. There. Then she took his sword and drove it through her heart. She fell dead over Romeo’s body.

The next moment the city guards were in the tomb. Count Paris servant had seen Romeo kill his master and he had run to call them. The shouts of the guards had awakened the city. The news soon spread and the streets were filled with cries of “Romeo!”, “Juliet!”, “Count Paris!” Old Lord Montague and old Lord Capulet had been awakened by the shouts. They came running to the churchyard. The Prince of Verona joined them. More and more people followed.

Then the guards brought the friar to the Prince. They had caught him as he was leaving the churchyard. He was trembling and weeping in a very strange way. The prince ordered the friar to tell him what he knew of this terrible tragedy.


12. A HAPPY RESULT OF THE TRAGEDY


The friar told his story to the point where he had found Romeo and Paris dead inside the tomb. He could not go further. The rest of the story was narrated by Count Paris, servant and then by Romeo’s. Count Paris servant told him about the fight between his master and Romeo. Romeo’s servant handed a latter to his father from Romeo. This latter told him of the secret marriage and of Romeo’s intention to poison himself in Juliet’s tomb. The friar was thus shown to be innocent of the murder.


The Price heard the full story of the tragedy and turned to the old Lords Capulet and Montague. He blamed them for their quarrel. He said, “This tragedy is your fault and your punishment.”

The two old enemies were filled with remorse. In the grave of their children they buried then quarrel. Now they called each other “Brother.” Lord Montague said that he would set up a statue of Juliet in pure gold. At once his old enemy said that he would set up an even finer statue of Romeo. Now they were friends but their children had to die terrible deaths to bring about this happy result and this sweet relationship between the two families.