William Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet
Quick Notes
Plot Summary
In the city of Verona, the two families of Capulet and Montague have an ongoing vendetta against each other.
Following a large duel between the two families, the prince of Verona declares that there will be a death penalty
issued upon any further duelling. Romeo Montague is lovesick over his beloved Rosaline. Romeo goes to see her
in disguise at a party thrown by the Capulets. Juliet Capulet is told that she has caught the interest of Paris, an
attractive bachelor. Romeo and Juliet meet and forget about their previous interests, falling instantly in love.
The two meet in secret and quickly decide to marry, although it goes against their families wishes. Through
friends and servants, they manage to marry in secret. Romeo’s friend Mercutio is killed by Juliet’s cousin and
Romeo kills him in revenge. Juliet hears about it and worries about Romeo’s safety. Her mother thinks that he is
upset about her cousin, Tybalt and thinks that Juliet’s marriage to Paris will improve her spirits.
Romeo is in hiding in a friar’s cell. They come up with a plan for Romeo and Juliet to see each other for one night
before Romeo flees until the Prince can be convinced to pardon him. After seeing Romeo, Juliet is told that she’ll
be marrying Paris in two days’ time. Juliet threatens to commit suicide. She and the friar come up with a plan to
fake her suicide and allow her and Romeo to be together. Juliet drinks a tonic which gives her the appearance of
death for almost two days. Romeo hears of Juliet’s death and returns to Verona, killing Paris, whom he blames for
driving Juliet to suicide. He goes to Juliet’s tomb and drinks poison so that he can be with her in death. Juliet
wakes and finds Romeo’s body. She kisses his lips hoping to take some of the same poison. This fails, so she kills
herself with a knife. The Capulets and Montagues find their dead children and, moved by their love and the grief
of their deaths, they put aside their hatred and end their feud.
List of Major Characters
Romeo Montague
Romeo is the son of the Montague family and seems easily swayed by his feelings. When the play begins he is
captivated by Rosaline and devoted to her, though his feelings change as soon as he sees Juliet. Romeo is
impulsive and seems to act without considering the consequences. This is seen by him abandoning his love for
Rosaline and instantly falling in love with Juliet, marrying her days later. It is also suggested by his vengeful killing
of both Tybalt and Paris and the act of taking his own life after believing Juliet to be dead.
Juliet Capulet
Juliet is the daughter of the Capulet family and is sought after by Paris, the most eligible bachelor in Verona. Juliet
falls in love with Romeo and marries hi instead. Juliet is under more direct pressure from her family than Romeo
is and is actively being spoken to regarding marriage and suitors. Juliet is at first very reluctant to approach ideas
such as love or marriage but very quickly changes her perspective as she becomes enamoured with Romeo. Juliet
is quick to leave her family and her life behind for Romeo.
Mercutio
Mercutio is Romeo’s closest friend. He is a temperamental ally of the Montagues and is quickly provoked to anger
or violence. Mercutio is as impulsive as his friend Romeo and easily has one of the most volatile personalities of
the play. His temper leads to his death at the hands of Tybalt and ignites the conflict which forces Romeo to flee
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Verona, culminating in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio differs from Romeo in his approach to romance.
He is derisive of Romeo’s romantic notions and encourages him to spend less time brooding over Rosaline.
Tybalt Capulet
Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and harbours deep hatred and anger for the Montagues. Tybalt is angered by Romeo’s
presence at his family’s party and further enraged by Romeo’s refusal to fight. Like Mercutio, Tybalt’s conflict
leads directly to Romeo’s banishment and the eventual death of the play’s leads. Like Romeo, Tybalt is slave to his
emotion, though all of his emotions are represented by anger and a thirst for conflict.
Nurse
Juliet’s nurse is Juliet’s confidant in her romantic troubles. She provides Juliet with advice and delivers messages
on her behalf. She is also a source of humour in the play, her lower class allowing her to make jokes of a sexual
nature which take the sharpness away from some of the romantic and tragic tension.
Friar Laurence
Friar Laurence is the protector of Romeo’s and Juliet’s relationship. Friar Laurence marries them in secret and
hides Romeo after he kills Tybalt. Friar Laurence also gives Juliet the potion which gives her the appearance of
death and he attempts to send a message about this to Romeo. Unfortunately, the friar’s message doesn’t reach
Romeo, ending in Romeo’s grief-stricken murder of Paris and suicide.
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