RO M ÉO
ET
J U LI E T TE
PROLOGUE The chorus outlines the story that is to follow: a deadly feud dividing Montagues and Capulets, the sudden love of Roméo and Juliette for one another, and the fate of their passion.
Act 1 CAPULET’S PALACE Count Paris is destined to marry Capulet’s daughter, Juliette; her cousin Tybalt points her out as she enters with her father. Capulet welcomes his guests and presents Juliette to them. He urges the company to enjoy themselves to celebrate his daughter’s birthday. With foolhardy bravado Roméo – a Montague – arrives with Mercutio and other friends outside the palace despite the feud between the two families. Roméo has been worried by a dream and Mercutio makes fun of his superstition, and of his infatuation for a certain Rosaline. Inside, Roméo sees Juliette with her nurse, Gertrude, and immediately falls in love. Juliette is not attracted to the idea of marrying Paris and sings of the joy of freedom. Her nurse is called away. On meeting Roméo her heart is turned – until her cousin Tybalt steps in to expose Roméo as a member of the rival Montague family. A fight is imminent, but Capulet will not permit the laws of hospitality to be broken in his house. He orders the feast to continue. Roméo makes a swift retreat.
Act 2 CAPULET’S GARDEN Roméo returns – pre-occupied with his love for Juliette. In the distance Mercutio and his companions are calling and deriding Roméo’s lovelorn state. Juliette appears on her balcony, reflecting that the name