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Romeo and Juliet summary
William Shakespeare
The Tragic Story of Two Star-Crossed Lovers From Feuding Families
23 mins
Brief summary
"Romeo and Juliet" is a tragic play by William Shakespeare that tells the story of two young lovers from feuding families. Their forbidden love ultimately leads to their tragic demise.
Table of Contents
Romeo and Juliet
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Act 1
A flash of blades and bucklers opens the first act of the play. Two armed men, servants from the house of Capulet, stand on a city street. They voice their disgust toward the “dogs” of house Montague, their mortal enemies – who soon arrive on the scene themselves.
Quickly, swords are drawn and a fight breaks out between both sides. As blows are traded, Benvolio, a kinsman of house Montague, tries to put a stop to the brawl – but fails.
Tybalt of house Capulet then enters too. Unlike Benvolio, he joins the fray. He derides Benvolio’s requests for help – “What… talk of peace?” Tybalt asks. “I hate the word/As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.”
The frenzy continues to surge until finally, Escalus, the prince of Verona, enters with his train. He decries these “enemies of peace” and orders them to cease fighting. Anyone who disturbs Verona’s peace again will be put to death.
With the fighting cut short, everyone exits, leaving only Benvolio behind. He is soon met by his Montague kinsman and friend, Romeo. Benvolio wonders what “sadness lengthens [Romeo’s] hours” – Romeo has recently been acting strangely, spending his nights weeping in the sycamore grove and his days shut up in his room.
It’s love, Romeo replies – unrequited love. As they talk, Romeo notices the remnants of the recent fight, which, in his opinion, had “much to do with hate, but more with love.” Romeo attempts to describe love’s nature using a series of oxymorons: “heavy lightness,” “serious vanity,” “feather of lead,” “cold fire,” and so on.
Meanwhile, Lord Capulet – head of the opposing house – is speaking with Paris, a kinsman of Prince Escalus. Paris wonders what Capulet thinks of the prospect of him marrying Capulet’s daughter, Juliet. Capulet is hesitant, for Juliet is young – just thirteen. However, if Paris manages to win his daughter’s heart, he’ll consent to their marriage.
Capulet then begins sending out invites to a feast that evening – and Romeo is one of the recipients. Benvolio encourages him to go and compare the other girls there to his love, Rosaline. This will prove to him that she isn’t so special. Romeo feels that’s impossible, but he agrees to go anyway, accompanied by Benvolio and Romeo’s best friend, Mercutio.
On the way to the party, Romeo admits that he thinks it’s unwise for them to attend – he had a bad dream about it the previous night. Mercutio challenges him and says that dreams “are the children of an idle brain/Begot of nothing but vain fantasy.” He is skeptical compared to the superstitious Romeo, who fears “some consequence hanging in the stars.”
As the party begins, Romeo is immediately struck by the sight of Juliet and asks a servant who she is. As the guests are masked, the servant doesn’t know. Romeo dramatically begins to sing her praises: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” He wonders whether he had ever really loved until now.
Romeo approaches Juliet and takes her hand. After a flirtatious exchange, he kisses her on the mouth. He then kisses her a second time, but here, Juliet’s nurse interrupts, telling her that her mother wants a word. Romeo realizes that Juliet is a Capulet – and now “[his] life is [his] foe’s debt.”
The party waxes on. Finally, just before everyone has gone to bed, Juliet asks her nurse about the man who kissed her. The nurse tells Juliet his name is Romeo – the only son of Lord Montague, her family’s enemy. Juliet exclaims, “My only love sprung from my only hate!” She is horrified to find that she is in love with a “loathèd enemy.”
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What is Romeo and Juliet about?
Romeo and Juliet (c. 1591-1597) is the iconic tragedy of two youths who fall in love amid the feud raging between their two families. The many themes it explores include love and hate, fate and free will, and dream and reality.
Romeo and Juliet Review
Romeo and Juliet (1597) is a tale of star-crossed lovers whose forbidden romance captivates audiences with its timeless themes of love, passion, and tragedy. Here are three reasons why this classic play is definitely worth reading:
- The intense and passionate love between Romeo and Juliet is both captivating and heart-wrenching, drawing readers into their world of forbidden desire.
- The play explores the consequences of feuding families, highlighting the destructive power of prejudice and the tragic outcomes that can result from hate.
- Shakespeare's skillful storytelling brings the characters to life, creating a gripping and emotionally charged narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Who should read Romeo and Juliet?
- Romantic souls
- Shakespeare fans who want a Romeo and Juliet refresher
- Anyone trying to up their knowledge of classic literature
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Romeo and Juliet FAQs
What is the main message of Romeo and Juliet?
The main message of Romeo and Juliet is the destructive power of feuds and the tragic consequences of impulsive young love.
How long does it take to read Romeo and Juliet?
The reading time for Romeo and Juliet varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Romeo and Juliet a good book? Is it worth reading?
Romeo and Juliet is a classic play that explores themes of love, fate, and the consequences of prejudice. It is definitely worth a read for its tragic yet timeless story.
Who is the author of Romeo and Juliet?
The author of Romeo and Juliet is William Shakespeare.
What to read after Romeo and Juliet?
If you're wondering what to read next after Romeo and Juliet, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Hamlet by William Shakespeare
- The Iliad by Homer
- Macbeth by William Shakespeare
- The Tempest by William Shakespeare
- The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder
- The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey