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Romeo and Juliet: the plot
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Two teenagers from feuding families fall in love. Within days, both are dead. The Prologue tells us the ending before the play begins.
Acts 1 and 2: love at first sight
The Prologue calls them "A pair of star-cross'd lovers".
A street brawl breaks out between Montagues and Capulets; the Prince threatens death for further fighting.
Romeo, sad over Rosaline, goes to the Capulet feast, meets Juliet and falls in love. After the balcony scene, Friar Laurence marries them in secret.
A street brawl breaks out between Montagues and Capulets; the Prince threatens death for further fighting.
Romeo, sad over Rosaline, goes to the Capulet feast, meets Juliet and falls in love. After the balcony scene, Friar Laurence marries them in secret.
Act 3: the turning point
Tybalt kills Mercutio, who curses "A plague o' both your houses!"
Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge and is banished to Mantua.
Lord Capulet, not knowing about the marriage, insists Juliet marry Paris. When she refuses, he threatens to throw her out.
Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge and is banished to Mantua.
Lord Capulet, not knowing about the marriage, insists Juliet marry Paris. When she refuses, he threatens to throw her out.
Acts 4 and 5: the tragic end
The Friar gives Juliet a potion to make her seem dead. His letter explaining the plan never reaches Romeo.
Romeo hears Juliet is dead, buys poison, kills Paris at the tomb and poisons himself.
Juliet wakes, finds him dead and stabs herself. The families finally make peace.
Romeo hears Juliet is dead, buys poison, kills Paris at the tomb and poisons himself.
Juliet wakes, finds him dead and stabs herself. The families finally make peace.
Why is Act 3 Scene 1 the turning point?
- Before it the play is full of love and comedy.
- Mercutio and Tybalt die and Romeo is banished.
- From here events rush towards tragedy.
Answer: The deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt and Romeo's banishment turn the play from romance to tragedy.
Feud, feast, balcony, secret marriage, then the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt, banishment, the potion, the failed letter and the double suicide that ends the feud.
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