Table of Contents

I. Introduction ……………………………………….1 II. Act I Summary ………………………………………2 III. Act II Summary …………………………………..3 IV. Act III Summary ………………………………….4 V. Act IV Summary …………………………………..5 VI. Act V Summary ……………………………………6 VII. Major Characters …………………………………7 VIII. Major Themes ……………………………………8 IX. Analysis Questions ……………………………….9 X. Literary Terms …………………………………..10 XI. Writing Activity …………………………………11

I. Introduction

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous and widely-read plays of all time. The story of star-crossed lovers from rival families and their tragic end has captivated readers and audiences for centuries, and continues to be adapted in new and exciting ways. This booklet can be used as a self-study guide to understanding the play.

II. Act I Summary

Act I sets up the basic story of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo is a young man from the Montague family, a long-running feud with the Capulet family. Romeo is lovesick over the unrequited love of Rosaline. His friend Benvolio encourages him to attend a Capulet feast in an attempt to move on. At the feast, Romeo sees Juliet and falls in love with her. They exchange their names and share a passionate kiss, unaware that they are from opposing families. Romeo’s friend Mercutio’s badgering gets him in trouble with Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, and they fight. Romeo tries to break them apart, only to be punished by the prince for being involved in the brawl.

III. Act II Summary

Romeo sneaks into Juliet’s garden, where he meets her. After a brief scene of her pleading for him to leave for his own safety, he stays. They confess their deep love for each other, and form plans to marry with the help of Friar Laurence. Juliet’s parents discuss potential marriage prospects for Juliet, and she agrees to marry the man chosen for her. Her nurse helps her to arrange a secret wedding with Romeo, and Juliet sends the nurse off to find him.

IV. Act III Summary

The wedding is arranged, and Romeo is brought to Juliet’s chamber. They exchange vows and consummate their marriage. Romeo tells Juliet of his banishment by the prince, and Juliet swears to die with him if he must leave. Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, and Mercutio is killed in the process. Romeo is overcome with emotion, and kills Tybalt. He flees the city and is banned.

V. Act IV Summary

Juliet’s parents pressure her to marry Paris, and she agrees to the match. She creates a plan with Friar Laurence in which she will take a potion to make her appear dead for some time. Then she will be roused, and Romeo can take her away from the city.

Romeo learns of Juliet’s death and rushes back to Verona. He confronts Friar Laurence and finds out that Juliet is not fully dead. However, it is too late. Romeo finds Juliet in her tomb, and kills himself in despair.

VI. Act V Summary

Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead next to her. She kills herself and the two families, who have been so vexed in their rivalry, reconcile.

VII. Major Characters

Romeo: A young Montague who falls in love with Juliet

Juliet: A young Capulet who falls in love with Romeo

Friar Laurence: A monk who helps Romeo and Juliet marry and tries to reunite them

Benvolio: Romeo’s cousin who tries to help him find love and escape the Montague-Capulet feud

Mercutio: Romeo’s best friend

Tybalt: Juliet’s cousin who is a hot-headed Capulet

Paris: A friend of the Capulets who is Romeo’s enemy

VIII. Major Themes

• The Power of Love: Romeo and Juliet’s love transcends the feud between their families, and leads to their ultimate downfall

• Power of Fate: Romeo and Juliet’s fates were intertwined before they were born, and their tragedy was already pre-determined by fate

• Family: The feud between the two families is the catalyst for the tragedy

IX. Analysis Questions

1. What is the cause of the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets?
2. What are the different ways Romeo and Juliet try to be together, and why do they ultimately fail?
3. How does Romeo’s character change over the course of the play?
4. What is the role of fate in the play?
5. How does the theme of family relate to the story?

X. Literary Terms

• Tragedy: A type of story with an unhappy or sad ending • Soliloquy: A speech from a character in a play in which they speak their thoughts aloud • Allusion: When a reference to another text is made in a literary work • Hyperbole: A figure of speech in which something is exaggerated to emphasize a point

XI. Writing Activity

Write an essay comparing the theme of love in Romeo and Juliet to another story or play. In your essay, make sure to discuss how the characters’ relationships change over time, and why the events turn out the way that they do. Be sure to include literary techniques such as allusions and imagery to support your arguments.