Romeo and Juliet
1
Chapter I
Rumble
It is a warm summer night in beautiful Verona.
quiet.
The streets are
The breeze blows gently over the rivers and tree-lined sidewalks,
making the water and leaves ripple.
Every house is sleeping peacefully.
The magnificent mansions of the Capulets and Montagues, the two
richest families in the city, sit facing each other under the stars.
Suddenly, footsteps in the street break the silence.
Two laughing
Capulet servants stumble down the street, pushing one another playfully.
They’ve been walking the streets of the city all night, discussing love
and hate—and the fight they almost got into earlier that day.
the disagreement was over a girl.
As usual,
And, as always, the argument was
with their rival court, the Montagues.
I’m telling you, Gregory, I’m not going to take this anymore, not
from those Montagues.
Who do they think they are?
I’m so sick of
this.
Yeah, Sampson, sick enough to run away,
laugh.
Gregory laughs a deep
Even though Sampson is the leading servant in their court,
Gregory knows his best friend is not as tough as he likes to believe.
You had that girl ready to go home with you, but you just couldn’t make
it happen, could you? Too scared to leave with her, weren’t you?
Make fun of me all you want, bro.
But trust me, I’m not putting up
with any more of their NONSENSE! They’ve officially taken it too far this
time.
Honestly, Sampson . . . maybe you should focus on not getting into
trouble for once.
You have to quit acting like a bad boy if you’re going
to keep your position.
Sampson smiles to himself.
They both know he’s not going anywhere
2
anytime soon.
court.
He’s one of the most popular servants in the Capulet
There will be plenty more girls in the future, no matter how
many fights he gets into.
Gregory’s always been jealous of his friend, but he loves him enough
to make up for it.
And he gets enough girls on his own that he doesn’t
have to be too envious.
Really, though, Sampson. You should . . .
Sampson laughs and points his finger into Gregory’s chest.
Well,
maybe you should . . .
Hey, look! They’re coming!
They watch as Abram, lead servant of the Montagues, walks toward
them. Another servant is with him.
Looks like they want some more, huh?
breath.
All right, man, let’s just stop here.
we’re running away.
I’m done with this.
Sampson takes in a deep
I don’t want to look like
We’re just going to give them a look, all right?
We both know we could take them, but I’m not in
the mood tonight.
Genius, my friend,
reputation anymore.
Gregory agrees.
I don’t want to taint our
Let them start the fight if they want to.
No
reason we should risk the blame.
Abram comes closer, staring hard at Gregory and Sampson.
They
both lean against the brick wall, arms crossed.
Bro, are you glaring at me?
Abram demands, stopping directly in
front of them and crossing his arms too.
It’s hard for Gregory and Sampson not to be just a little intimidated
by Abram. He’s tall and known for starting fights with other servants.
Not at you, man.
Just staring at the sidewalk.
Why would we be
3
looking at you? I got enough of you at the bar,
Yeah, brother.
Are you glaring at us?
Sampson answers.
Gregory challenges Abram.
He clenches his fists.
Listen, Abram, if you want to fight, just let us know.
you are,
We’re ready if
Sampson says in a threatening tone, joining Gregory and
rolling up his sleeves.
Abram doesn’t wait.
He jumps at them both, along with his fellow
Montague brother, who begins punching Sampson as hard as he can in
the stomach.
Fists fly and the noise wakes the houses.
Two more men come running from opposite directions.
You’ve got to be kidding me,
the taller one says to himself as his
feet pound the ground, racing toward the mess of servants.
It’s Benvolio, a noble Montague who’s often referred to as the
Peacemaker
in Verona.
The
He’s always done his best to keep the courts
from each other’s throats because he feels he owes it to his uncle, Mr.
Montague, the head of the Montague court.
Stop it!
C’mon boys!
He reaches them and yells,
forcing himself between them.
But they don’t
listen; rivalry has taken over.
The other running man, Tybalt, a Capulet, slows his steps and jumps
on Benvolio’s back.
Benvolio hits the ground hard.
What are you DOING?
him.
Benvolio screams, pushing Tybalt off of
I’m trying to break this up!
Tybalt ignores him and tries to pin him.
peace
almost as much as he hates
Tybalt hates
keeping the
The Peacemaker
and all
Montagues.
The noise of the fight has now woken the sleeping city.
More Capulet
4
and Montague men emerge from houses and street corners and rush
toward the fight, forming a circle around the tangled servants, cheering
and jeering.
All of a sudden, from above them, there is a deep yell from the
balcony of the mansion. The head of the Capulet court is awake and
incredibly angry.
What is all this NOISE?
shouts Mr. Capulet.
nightgown, his plump blond wife beside him.
He is in his
Give me my sword,
dear!
I think you mean crutch, honey, not sword.
You’re getting too old
for this.
No, I mean my SWORD, I said!
Look at this mess! And to make it
worse, Montague is over there, waving around HIS sword again to anger
me!
Mrs. Capulet looks across the street to see that their rivals, heads of
the Montague house, have opened the French doors to their mansion
balcony as well.
Capulet!
You devil!
Mr. Montague screams from across the street.
His wife, a rail-thin brunette, holds him back.
Don’t stop me, darling! Let me go!
You’re not taking one step toward him, dear,
whispers.
Get it out of your head.
gone and done.
The prince is coming.
Mrs. Montague
Look what you stupid men have
Look.
Her long finger points
to the street, her fingernail sparkling in the rising sun.
At that moment, the world stops in Verona.
As if in slow motion, the
Capulets, Montagues, and servants pause, fists and swords in the air.
They turn toward the coming procession, which is getting closer and
closer to them beneath the spreading sky.
5
Chapter I Questions
1. Why is Abram intimidating to Sampson and Gregory?
2. Who attacks Benvolio when he tries to break up the fight?
3. What does Tybalt hate?
4. What is Benvolio's nickname?
Ⓐ "The Peacekeeper"
Ⓑ "The Peacemaker"
Ⓒ "The Calmer"
Ⓓ "The Protector"
5. Who are the two "rivals," or enemies in Verona?
6. Why do Sampson and Gregory decide to give Abram a "look" instead
of fighting him?
7. List all the characters mentioned/you can remember in this chapter.
8. Choose one character from this first chapter and describe him or her
according to what you have read.
6
Answer:
1. “He’s tall and known for starting fights with other servants.”
2. Tybalt
3. “Tybalt hates keeping the peace almost as much as he hates “The
Peacemaker” and “all Montagues.”
4. Ⓑ
⇨ “It’s Benvolio, a noble Montague who’s often referred to as “The
Peacemaker” in Verona.”
5. The Capulets and the Montagues (2nd paragraph)
⇨ “Two laughing Capulet servants stumble down the street…As usual,
the disagreement was over a girl.
And, as always, the argument
was with their rival court, the Montagues.”
6. Because Sampson is tired of fighting with the Montagues/isn’t in the
mood and Gregory doesn’t want to taint their reputation anymore or
risk the blame by starting the fight.
7. (Possible Answers)
1) Two Capulet servants—Gregory and Sampson (the leading servant in
the court)
2) The girl over which they had a disagreement with the Montagues
3) Abram, lead servant of the Montagues
4) Benvolio, a noble Montague known as “The Peacemaker”
5) Tybalt, a Capulet
6) Mr. and Mrs. Capulet
7) Mr. and Mrs. Montague
8) The other Capulet and Montague men who come to watch the fight
9) The approaching procession and the arriving Prince
8. (Some Possible Answers (could vary or include more than these))
1) Gregory—Capulet servant, friend of Sampson, “knows Sampson is not
as tough as he believes,” jealous of Sampson, but “loves him enough
to make up for it,” gets a lot of girls too
2) Sampson—the leading servant in the Capulet court and one of the
most popular, sick of fighting with Montagues
3) Abram—lead servant of the Montagues, “tall and known for starting
fights with other servants”
4) Benvolio—a noble Montague known as “The Peacemaker,” “done his
best to keep the courts from each other’s throats,” tries to break up
the fight
7
5) Tybalt—a Capulet, attacks Benvolio, “hates keeping the peace
almost
as
much
as
he
hates
“The
Peacemaker”
and
all
Montagues”
6) Mr. Capulet—founder of the Capulet court, angry to see the fight
and Mr. Montague, wants his wife to get his sword
7) Mrs. Capulet—blond, big-breasted, makes fun of her husband for
being old by saying he wants his crutch, not his sword
8) Mr. Montague—calls Mr. Capulet a devil, angry to see him as well,
wants to fight with him too
9) Mrs. Montague—brunette, rail-thin, angry at her husband for
fighting so much and forcing the Prince to come
8
Chapter II
The Sad Streets of Verona
Prince Escalus sits atop his velvet-covered throne, carried on his
soldiers’ shoulders.
Everyone watches as the procession moves slowly
down the street, as if sliding across the cobblestones.
The people of
Verona come to their windows and doors, searching along the line of
horses and soldiers for the prince.
After what feels like forever, the line
slows even further and finally pulls to a stop.
Here,
Prince Escalus tells his men.
He straightens his long robe.
Every eye watches as the velvet curtain opens and the prince rises
from its dark interior.
He rises slowly.
powerful man in all of Verona.
and raises his hands.
Prince Escalus is the most
Everyone holds their breath as he stands
He waits.
He knows they are waiting.
He waits
some more.
Suddenly, he tears the curtain.
shouts.
WHAT HAVE WE HERE?!
Throw down your swords and listen to your angry prince!
have had ENOUGH of this VIOLENCE!
he
I
All you’re after is one another’s
blood.
Three times I have had to put up with these pointless, childish
riots.
THREE TIMES my beloved city has been disturbed by your
senseless fighting!
I will stand for your rumbles NO MORE. NEVER again will Verona’s
beautiful streets be polluted by your stupidity.
I’ll throw you in jail!
Leave this street now or
Back to your houses or be arrested!
NOW!!
*
*
*
Leave!
9
As Prince Escalus disappears once again behind the curtains and the
procession drifts away as slowly as it came, everyone watches silently.
The people of Verona take their children’s hands and walk them back
inside their houses.
The servants wipe their bloody mouths and fists
and start limping in opposite directions toward home.
spoken between them.
Not a word is
Gregory puts his arm around his best friend.
Tybalt shoves his hands in his pockets and ducks into the nearest
tavern.
The sun has almost fully risen over the city and, once again,
the only sound is of doors opening and shutting.
Benvolio watches Tybalt disappear and then crosses the street to his
aunt and uncle’s mansion.
He meets the watchman with a smile and
whispers the password in his ear.
the iron gates opening.
He stands before the familiar sight of
After taking the spiral staircase up to the top
floor, Benvolio calls out as he crosses the inner terrace.
His aunt greets him in her silk robe, pulling it tight around her chest.
Benvolio! Come, come! Can you even believe this?
Mr. Montague joins his nephew and wife beside a fountain.
Who started this fight, Benvolio? Were you here when it began?
Well, uh, I wish, Uncle M., but I was a little late.
already fighting when I got there.
You know me, though.
They were
I did my
best to break it up, but Tybalt—you know—that rogue from the Capulet
house—just had to show up and mess with me.
He is such a hothead,
always trying to start something.
Mrs. Montague interrupts.
is Romeo?
You know what I just thought of? Where
Have you seen him today, Benvolio?
wasn’t here for this fight.
I just thank God he
She folds her hands and presses them to
her mouth.
You know, Aunt M., I actually did see him this morning, walking in
10
the Sycamore forest on the west side of Verona.
and hid among the trees.
being alone today too.
I understood, though.
You know that.
He’s been doing that a
Taking long walks and crying.
Montague can’t look his wife in the eye.
son is unhappy.
I kind of felt like
So we just kept to ourselves. No big deal.
Mr. Montague puts his arm around his wife.
lot lately, honey.
He saw me coming
He feels guilty that his only
He even locks himself up in his room, Benvolio.
shuts his windows to block out the light.
He
If we don’t knock some sense
into him soon, something bad is going to happen. I can feel it.
But why, uncle?
Why is he acting this way?
Have you tried to talk
to him?
Oh, I’ve tried.
Of course I have.
We all have, haven’t we, hon?
He pulls his wife closer to him for a hug.
But he keeps his thoughts to
himself. He keeps all those secrets and tells no one.
poisoned.
It’s like he’s been
He’s not the sweet, happy, open son we used to know.
We
can’t get him to tell us anything.
Hmm.
Well, I’ll see what I can do.
Just let me talk to him.
Maybe I can get him to tell me what’s going on.
Ha!
Good luck!
I hope you’re lucky enough to get something out
of him.
Me too, Uncle M. Me too.
Montague takes his wife by the hand and leads her back into their
bedroom.
balcony.
Benvolio goes to the French doors and steps out onto the
He watches the doors along the street opening and shutting
once again as the people of Verona leave for work and school.
breathes in the morning air deeply and squints into the distance.
several blocks away, he recognizes his cousin’s walk.
He
From
It’s Romeo, with
his head down, looking depressed, avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk.
Cous!
Benvolio shouts as brightly as he can.
But Romeo only
11
looks up for a second.
ROMEO!
Romeo manages to wave weakly, still walking slowly toward the gate.
Benvolio rushes back from the veranda, through the terrace and down
the spiral staircase, taking the steps two at a time.
He passes through
the iron gate once again onto the street to meet Romeo.
When the
doors slide open, he sees his cousin sitting on the cobblestones with his
head in his hands.
What is UP with you, cous!
Benvolio shakes Romeo by the
shoulders and tries to make him laugh.
I’m done, cousin. I’m DONE. Rosaline left me.
LEFT you? WHY??
Forget her, man.
She’s not a pretty maid
anyway.
Are you KIDDING, Benvolio?
She’s beautiful.
I’ll NEVER find
another girl like her. EVER.
Now that’s just crazy, Romeo.
You’re not thinking clearly.
If
there’s one place you can find a good girl, it’s in Verona.
No way. I found her and I lost her.
Look at it like this.
just wasn’t meant to be.
If Rosaline didn’t want to be with you, then it
Fate has a role in this, you know.
If the stars
don’t align properly, then you should be thankful you’re not stuck with
the wrong girl.
Don’t you ever trust fate?
I trust my heart, Benvolio. And now it’s broken.
Now I’ll never be
truly in love again.
But were you?
know what, cous?
Truly in love?
How do you really know?
And you
My guess is fate and the stars have something in
store for you—a more beautiful girl than you could ever imagine.
You
just have to trust fate; that’s all.
I’m done trusting, Benvolio.
That’s it.
That’s IT.
I’m not going to
12
look for any girl.
gods.
And I’m not going to wait for some sign from the
I don’t care what anyone says.
I’m done looking!
Romeo gets
up and storms off.
Romeo, wait!
But what if you don’t have to look?
What if you just
see her?! Come back! This isn’t going to last! Trust me! WAIT!
Benvolio watches his cousin disappear around the corner and shakes
his head in disbelief.
He’ll see, he’ll see,
he whispers to himself.
But Romeo is walking faster and faster down the street, growing more
heartbroken with every step.
13
Chapter II Questions
1. What does Mrs. Montague ask Benvolio?
2. Who has left Romeo?
Ⓐ Juliet
Ⓑ Veronica
Ⓒ Rosaline
Ⓓ Portia
3.About what does Mr. Montague feel guilty?
4. Please write T or F beside the following statements.
Write T if the
statement is true and F if it is false.
1) ____Prince Escalus is the most powerful man in all of Verona.
2) ____Prince Escalus threatens to hang anyone who doesn’t leave
the street.
3) ____Prince Escalus is so angered by the rumble that he tears a
velvet curtain.
5. Which of the following best describes Romeo’s mood?
Ⓐ Angry
Ⓑ Frustrated
Ⓒ Heartbroken
Ⓓ Jealous
6. List a few signs of Romeo’s current state that Benvolio and his
parents have seen and discuss together:
7. What does Benvolio say when he tries to make Romeo feel better?
Check every possible answer.
1) ____That the girl he loves is not pretty.
2) ____That the girl he loves is crazy.
3) ____That Romeo should trust fate.
4) ____That the stars have a more beautiful girl in store for him.
5)　____That Romeo should tell the girl he loves that he has found
someone new.
6) ____That Verona has very few good girls, but that he will find
one.
14
Answer
1. If he has seen Romeo.
“Where’s Romeo?
Have you seen him today,
Benvolio?”
2. Ⓒ ⇨ “I’m done, cousin. I’m DONE. Rosaline left me.”
3. “He feels guilty that his only son is unhappy.”
4. (all in first section before section break)
1) T
2) F ⇨ “Leave this street now or I’ll throw you in jail!
Back to your
houses or be arrested!”
3) T
5. Ⓒ
6. (Possible answers (in order of reading))
‣ “Hiding among the Sycamore trees”
‣ “Taking long walks and crying”
‣ “He even locks himself up in his room…”
‣ “He shuts his windows to block out the light.”
‣ “. . . with his head down, looking depressed, avoiding the cracks in
the sidewalk.”
7. 1), 3), 4)
15
Chapter III
Proposals and Preparations
On another Verona street, two men are not so sad today.
Unlike
Romeo, their steps are slow with intention, with the making of plans.
Their stride is the same—the slow walk of important men discussing
important matters.
Mr. Capulet walks with his arms crossed and his head down in careful
thought, nodding as the man beside him presents him with a very
important matter: the idea of marrying his beautiful daughter, Juliet.
Mr. Capulet is pleased, as the man he walks with today is a man of
great status—Paris, a noble kinsman of the Prince.
Rich and well known
in the community, Paris is a wise choice for his dear daughter.
There is
one hesitation, however: Juliet is only fourteen.
She is far too young, Paris.
That is all that keeps me from granting
you permission to ask for her hand in marriage.
I see, I see,
Paris says, looking away in disappointment.
I worry she is not old enough to be the wife you need—that is all.
Give her two years and she will blossom into a perfect wife for you.
And I will be the perfect husband.
I will wait, Capulet.
I will do all
I can to win her heart so that she might choose me.
Ah—such commitment.
Such devotion.
A good man you are.
Patience is indeed a virtue.
There is nothing I won’t do for such a beautiful bride.
Well, if you’re so sure about my daughter, how about we begin the
courtship tonight?
Before you ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage,
you must make her fall in love with you, which may not be as simple as
16
you think.
Capulet smiles, thinking of his daughter, who is not only
beautiful but intelligent—an independent young lady with a good head on
her shoulders, a girl who knows exactly what she wants.
What do you
say?
Absolutely.
possible.
I was hoping for the chance to meet her as soon as
I promise you, Capulet, I will do all I can to show her I am
worthy of her affection.
Then meet her you will!
back.
Our house, this evening.
Capulet exclaims, clapping Paris on the
Come to our feast! We are celebrating
the masquerade—and now we have another reason to celebrate!
Sounds perfect.
Thank you.
See you tonight.
Capulet and Paris separate, each to walk their own street toward
home.
Once Capulet arrives back at his mansion, he calls out for his servant
Peter.
Peter!
Here is the list for this evening’s guests!
Invite each and
every one of them!
Capulet does not know Peter cannot read.
A smart young boy, Peter
has managed to keep this a secret until now.
Doing his best not to
appear worried, he takes the list from Capulet’s hand.
Yes sir! I will go from house to house now.
Peter walks away, clenching the list tight in his fist, nervous and
thinking as quickly as he can about what to do.
Thankfully, he sees two young men coming down the street.
It is Romeo and Benvolio, who are still arguing about whether or not
17
Romeo will be able to forget Rosaline.
Peter interrupts them politely.
Excuse me, gentlemen.
I don’t know what is wrong with my eyes
today, but I can’t seem to see this list very clearly.
Is there any way
you could read me the names?
Romeo glances at the list and starts laughing. He smiles at Benvolio.
Cous, you’re not going to believe who’s on this list.
Let me guess—the love of your life Ms. Rosaline herself,
Benvolio
says sarcastically, sighing an irritated sigh.
What is your name, boy?
Romeo asks Peter.
Peter, sir.
Well, Peter, you have a very special lady on this list.
Lucky for
you, I’ll be more than happy to read you this list if you’ll let me come
to this party to see her.
Of course, sir.
anything,
Sound like a deal?
As long as you’re not—you know—Montagues or
Peter says.
Before reading the list to Peter, Romeo smiles again at Benvolio, who
gives him a knowing look.
This is the perfect opportunity, Romeo.
I’m so glad we’re going.
Your heart will feel better after tonight—just wait and see.
Rosaline is
definitely not the only pretty maid in Verona.
*
*
*
A few hours later, Peter has run from house to house and invited all
worthy guests for the feast.
The Capulet mansion is busy with preparation.
The servants are
18
cleaning and cooking, laughing and singing and moving from room to
room to decorate the walls.
From upstairs, Mrs. Capulet calls out for her daughter amid the busy
clatter of silverware, plates, and vases hitting the table.
Julieeeeet?
Where are you, my dear?
Julieeeeet!
She is almost
singing.
When her daughter doesn’t answer her calling, she instead calls for
the Nurse.
Nurse! Where are you?
The nurse comes running from another room, gathering her apron
around her to make room for her pounding feet.
Yes, ma’am!
Have you seen my daughter
No ma’am! I haven’t.
Well, where could she be?!
From the doorway, Juliet begins giggling.
much!
Mother . . . you worry too
Her long blond hair falls softly down her shoulders, past the
hem of her short white dress.
Lady Capulet greets her daughter with her hands on her waist.
can’t stay angry, though.
Juliet.
She
She can’t help but smile at her beautiful
Well, I just have some amazing news for you, my daughter,
that’s all!
Oh, really? And what would that be, Mom?
Juliet smiles.
Well, your father talked to a certain someone today and that special
someone is interested in a special young daughter of mine!
And that special someone would be who, Mother?
Well, before I tell you, I have another question for you.
Perhaps a
19
more IMPORTANT one.
And what’s that, Mother?
Juliet says, sighing.
Well, it has to do with men in general.
And it’s something I’ve
wanted to ask you for a long time.
Well, what is it, Mother? You’re making me nervous.
It’s just . . . are you thinking at all about marriage?
Juliet laughs.
Well, I think it depends on the man, Mother.
Can’t
say I’ve thought too much about it at this point, but if the right man
comes along, I just might!
If that’s the case, honey, then you better start thinking about it!
And why’s that?
Well, dear, because that special man’s coming to the party tonight!
Oh, really?
Yes, so get pretty!
Juliet leaves the room, but turns back for a second, hugging the
doorway.
OK, Mother, but do I have to be nice?
You better be!
Fine, fine. And what’s this special man’s name?
Paris.
And he’s a gentleman, my dear.
Is he handsome, though, Mom?
A true gentleman.
That’s what I want to know.
Juliet walks back into the hallway giggling.
Well, at least he’s rich!
Mrs. Capulet calls after her, laughing too.
20
Chapter III Questions
1. Why doesn’t Mr. Capulet want his daughter to marry Paris?
Ⓐ Because she loves someone else
Ⓑ Because she is too young
Ⓒ Because Mr. Capulet doesn’t like Paris
Ⓓ Because Paris is poor
2. Who does Mrs. Capulet ask about the whereabouts of her daughter?
Ⓐ Tybalt
Ⓑ The Nurse
Ⓒ The servant
Ⓓ Mr. Capulet
3. After Mrs. Capulet tells her that Paris is a gentleman, what does Juliet
ask her mother about him?
4. What is her mother’s response to this question?
5. When Juliet and Mrs. Capulet are talking about Paris, their mood is:
Ⓐ Light and joking
Ⓑ Irritated and frustrated
Ⓒ Worried and stressed
Ⓓ Angry and unkind
6. Please write T or F beside the following statements.
Write T if the
statement is true and F if it is false.
1) ____Mr. Capulet is having a feast to celebrate Prince Escalus.
2)　____Mr. Capulet is having a feast to celebrate the masquerade.
3)____Peter is worried he cannot invite the guests on the list
because he cannot read.
7. Who does Peter run into on the street?
Ⓐ Abram and Benvolio
Ⓑ Paris and Tybalt
Ⓒ Benvolio and Romio
Ⓓ Sampson and Gregory
21
Answer
1. Ⓑ
2. Ⓑ
3. If he is handsome.
4. That at least he is rich.
5. Ⓐ
6. 1) F
7. Ⓒ
2) T
3) T
22
Chapter IV
Three Masked Montagues
Anxious for the Capulet feast, three Montagues across town leave their
house dressed in costume and masks.
Benvolio wears a red one with gold trim, Romeo a blue one with a
silver border, and their friend Mercutio a black mask with orange
accents.
It is almost night and the moon is just appearing across the horizon.
They’ve walked several blocks before they realize they may have a little
trouble getting into the party.
So how are we going to get them to let us in, boys?
Romeo asks
Mercutio and Benvolio.
We’re not on the list, Romeo?
Is there some reason you didn’t
think of this before, man? Mercutio jokes.
Mercutio is the funniest of
their group of friends, always making fun of the others.
Should we apologize?
Give them a speech or something?
Explain
our excuse?
I think we should just DANCE, boys!
and then leave if they judge us.
Benvolio offers.
Just dance
Who cares what they think, anyway?
Let’s not embarrass ourselves with some explanation.
Let’s just hit that
dance floor with the ladies!
I don’t feel like dancing, gentlemen.
Not tonight.
Oh, c’mon loverboy, you HAVE to dance, Romeo!
Mercutio punches
Romeo playfully.
My soul feels too heavy to dance. My feet feel stuck to the ground.
23
Oh, you and all your feelings, Romeo!
Mercutio laughs.
I think
Queen Mab has been swimming in your dreams a little too much lately,
my friend.
Queen Mab is one of Verona’s many fairies, believed by people to visit
sleeping
men
and
women,
bringing
them
dreams
upon
dreams.
Sometimes, it is difficult for these dreamers to separate reality from
fiction, as the nightly hand of Queen Mab is so powerful.
Plus, Romeo, like everyone else, you’ll be wearing a mask.
think of all the ladies you’ll get to dance with that way.
Just
If you cover up
your face, you’ll be SURE to get more attention!
Benvolio and Mercutio laugh.
Very funny,
says Romeo,
but seriously, though.
feeling about tonight for some reason.
I have a bad
I had a bad dream last night.
The sky has almost grown dark as Romeo says this.
I’m
telling
you,
my
friend,
it’s
Mab.
She’s
getting
to
you!
Mercutio exclaims.
As their torches light the night and lead their way to the Capulet
house, Mercutio tells his friends all about Queen Mab.
Mercutio is the
most entertaining and wild of the group, known for his passion for
storytelling.
Queen Mab, Queen Mab.
She’s the mother of all fairies, the one
who helps them give birth to more fairies! She’s no bigger than the
stone on the Prince’s ring and she’s been passing over your nose as you
sleep, Romeo!
In her royal chariot, she rides every night through the minds of lovers
and makes them dream about finding the love of their life.
rides over ladies' lips, they instantly dream of being kissed.
When she
24
But sometimes Queen Mab becomes an angry queen.
She sometimes
becomes angry at the ladies and spreads sores across their lips because
their breath smells too sweet.
When she rides over a noble’s lips, he
dreams of taking money from others. And if she tickles a priest’s nose
with the tail of a pig, he’ll dream of giving a large donation to the
church. Sometimes she rides over a soldier’s neck, and he dreams of
cutting the throats of foreign enemies, of destroying walls as he attacks.
And then, then, drums beat in his ear and he sits straight up in bed.
Say your prayers and go back to sleep, Romeo, because . . .
ENOUGH!
Enough, Mercutio!
You’re not making any sense, man.
Seriously.
Yeah, Mercutio,
Benvolio adds,
that’s enough.
Just hold your
torch and walk. We’re almost there.
I’m honestly just going to hold this torch all night.
me.
I just can’t shake this bad feeling.
No ladies for
It’s more real than you think
and it has NOTHING to do with Queen Mab, Mercutio.
The dream was
worse than that. I don’t even want to say it.
Just tell us, cous!
exactly?
You’ll feel better if you do.
What was it about,
Benvolio asks.
Well, it was about me.
Okay, well that’s pretty scary, I guess,
And how I’m supposed to die.
Mercutio laughs.
Very soon.
Because of something
that’s supposed to happen at the feast tonight.
Well, enough of that, my friend,
Mercutio comforts him.
We’re just going to dance the night away, cous,
I guess you’re right,
my life, not me.
Romeo agrees.
Benvolio joins in.
Fate is the one in charge of
And that actually feels good—to know that the stars
will decide, you know?
Mercutio and Benvolio nod, looking into the flames of their torches.
25
I feel better already, gentlemen.
Now, let’s show these Capulets
how Montagues party!
*
*
*
The Capulet house is ready for the arrival of its guests.
All is busy
with preparation as the time draws near for the beginning of the feast.
As guest after guest arrives, the servants work feverishly to make sure
everything will happen exactly as it should for Mr. and Mrs. Montague,
who are known for their incredible parties.
In the kitchen, several maids set aside a few small cuts of the dinner
meat and dessert for themselves.
Once they’ve served the table and
made sure everyone’s drink is filled, they will sneak back to the kitchen
to have their own small party.
Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio make it into the party successfully and
are sure not to remove their masks.
They take in the scene—the
beautiful centerpieces and expensive dishes—and, of course, the beautiful
women.
Mr. Capulet is moving from table to table to greet his guests, joking
and laughing with them.
After visiting with everyone for a while, he
pauses and raises his glass to make a toast to the party.
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I remember a time—a long, long
time ago—when I could wear a mask over my eyes and charm a lady by
whispering a story in her ear. That time is gone, gone, gone.
But all of you young gentlemen have that opportunity TONIGHT!
wear your masks and flirt and dance the night away!
So
Come on,
musicians, play your music!
The band begins to play and the crowd begins to dance.
Romeo
stands apart from the dancing guests, still not up for the party tonight.
26
Mercutio and Benvolio join in and find ladies to dance with them, but
Romeo stands against the wall feeling sad and still shaken by his dream.
Mr. Capulet interrupts the music again to tell his guests they’re not
enjoying themselves enough.
Make room, make room!
Clear out the
dance floor! Shake it, girls! Show these maidens some fun, boys!
To his servants, he says,
flip over the tables and get them out of
the way! And put that fire out—it’s way too hot in here.
His cousin comes over to join him.
have all this fun tonight!
Ah, my man, what a surprise to
Sit down, sit down, my good Capulet cousin.
You and I are too old to dance,
Mr. Capulet says, laughing.
How many years has it been since you and I last wore masks at a
party like this?
Mr. Capulet is so happy to be sitting there, looking over his great
room full of guests.
Nothing can disturb his happy feast.
Over and
over throughout the evening, he encourages the men and women at
each table to get up and dance.
Mr. Capulet has a great sense of
humor and knows just what to say to each group of guests.
Mrs. Capulet makes her rounds as well, chatting with the women and
taking young children into her arms.
How big you’ve gotten!
she
exclaims.
Many of these women have been her friends for years and years.
Mrs. Capulet has a talent for many things—among them gossip and
talk.
girl
She shares all the latest stories of the Verona community with
each woman, entertaining each table with as many juicy tidbits as she
can think of to amuse them.
Juliet watches her mother and father making their way around the
27
room and smiles.
She is wearing a long silk, lavender dress, and her
blond hair is braided and woven with a purple ribbon.
She feels a
sudden energy fill her as a wave of feeling moves toward her from
across the room.
It is Romeo, staring at her, unable to take his eyes off of her.
28
Chapter IV Questions
1. Match Benvolio, Romeo, and Mercutio with their masks:
1) _____Benvolio
Ⓐ black mask with orange accents
2) _____Romeo
Ⓑ red mask with gold trim
3) _____Mercutio
Ⓒ blue mask with silver border
2. What does Mr. Capulet interrupt his feast to say?
Check every
answer that applies.
1)　_____“There are so many lovely maids here tonight!”
2) _____ “Remove your masks, one and all!”
3) _____ “Flirt and dance the night away!”
4) _____ “Show these maidens some fun, boys!”
5) _____ “Come on, musicians, play your music!”
3. Why does Romeo feel unsettled/have a bad feeling about going to the
feast?
Ⓐ Because they are Montagues at a Capulet party
Ⓑ Because he has had a terrible dream
Ⓒ Because a fairy warned him there would be danger
Ⓓ Because Rosaline will be there
4. What do Benvolio and Mercutio want Romeo to do at the feast?
5. Who is Queen Mab?
6. Please write T or F beside the following statements.
Write T if the
statement is true and F if it is false.
1) _____ Queen Mab can be an angry queen.
2) _____ Queen Mab doesn’t like the breath of ladies because it
smells bad.
3) _____ Queen Mab tickles priests’ noses with the tail of a pig.
29
7. Romeo is worried he is going to _________________________.
Ⓐ see Rosaline at the feast
Ⓑ get into a fight with a Capulet
Ⓒ die in the near future
Ⓓ get burned by his torch
Answers
1. 1) Ⓑ
2) Ⓒ
3) Ⓐ
2. 3), 4), 5)
3. Ⓑ
4. Dance
5. “Queen Mab is one of Verona’s many fairies, believed by people to visit
sleeping men and women, bringing them dreams upon dreams.”
6. 1) T
7. Ⓒ
2) F (⇨ sweet, not bad)
3) T
30
Chapter V
At First Sight
Suddenly, from across the room, Romeo sees her.
Instantly, without
a second’s pause, Rosaline fades from his mind, never to enter it again.
He cannot take his eyes off the beauty at the other end of the room.
Surely this is the most beautiful girl at the feast, and in fact the most
beautiful girl he’s ever seen.
He feels himself staring but cannot pull
himself away.
Oh, how she burns so brightly!
amazement.
he exclaims.
He is overtaken with
She stands out against the darkness like a jeweled earring
across the cheek of an African. Her beauty is too good for this world;
she’s too beautiful to die and be buried.
She is far too pure.
She
outshines all of the other women—not a single one compares to her.
When this dance is over, I’ll see where she stands, and then I’ll touch
her hand with my rough and ugly one. Did my heart ever love anyone
before this moment? My eyes were liars, then, because I never saw true
beauty before tonight.
There is a strange, powerful energy passed between them, one they
cannot understand.
It possesses them almost completely.
Their eyes
lock and it’s as if their bodies have locked too, even with the distance of
the room between them.
Totally connected, they continue to stare at
one another.
For Juliet, this is a look she has never before experienced from a
man.
It bears an intensity that almost moves her to trembling.
She
never wants to leave his gaze.
For Romeo, who thought so foolishly that he understood what love
meant, this is a rebirth.
He has known nothing of love until this very
31
moment and is almost moved to the point of tears.
He cannot help but
say it.
I have never been in love until this moment,
he declares.
He
begins to move through the crowd toward Juliet, his eyes still locked
with hers.
As Romeo moves through the room toward this girl who has already
stolen his heart, there is someone who cannot take their eyes off of him
—Tybalt, who hates nothing more than a Montague.
Tybalt heard
Romeo’s passionate exclamation of love and immediately tells a servant
to go get his sword for him.
The sounds and sights of the room fade away as Romeo moves
toward Juliet through the crowd of people, as if swimming underwater in
slow motion.
But Tybalt is still watching with narrowed eyes.
His angry stare is
interrupted by Capulet, who overheard him tell the servant to get his
sword.
Tybalt, Tybalt.
Always looking for a fight, aren’t you?
Capulet
laughs.
But sir, he’s a Montague. He shouldn’t be here.
Well, I thank you for your concern, Tybalt, and though I appreciate
your care for the Capulet house, this boy is different from the rest.
This
is Romeo, who has a good reputation in Verona so you can leave him
alone.
But, sir!
Tybalt, please.
I can’t have you going around killing young boys
just because they’re Montagues.
trying to have a good time here!
Especially not at my feast.
We’re
Capulet laughs and pats Tybalt on
32
the back before moving on to the next table.
But as Mr. Capulet walks away, Tybalt makes a promise to himself
that he will not forget Romeo’s trespass and will punish him for it
someday.
Unknowingly, Romeo continues moving toward Juliet through the
crowd.
He is completely fixated on her, as if she is surrounded by a
light that could never be dimmed.
It feels like an eternity before he
reaches her, and another before he touches her hand.
They touch and the world begins again.
souls, two star-crossed lovers.
Theirs is the meeting of two
To Romeo, Juliet is the worthiest, purest
of saints, the only one who can cleanse him and forgive him of his sins.
He is certain of this, and begs her for a single kiss, which he believes is
the only way he can be pure again—made anew with the touch of her
lips.
My hand is unworthy of yours.
My fingers are too imperfect for
your pure palm. If you won’t have my hand—if its touch is too dirty—
then, please, take my mouth.
My two lips are standing here like
blushing travelers, ready to make it all—my sins, this world—better with
a kiss.
Juliet agrees.
She cannot resist Romeo and says she will stay still as
he kisses her.
Dear, kind traveler, you don’t give your hand enough credit—it is
indeed pure. By holding my hand you will show me your devotion. After
all, those on journeys touch the hands of statues of saints.
In a lot of
ways, holding one palm against another is like a kiss, you know.
Romeo is still desperate to kiss her, however.
Don’t saints and
travelers have lips too?
Yes, pilgrim—and those lips are to pray with,
Juliet says playfully.
33
Well then, my beautiful and pure saint, let our lips do what hands
do. I’m praying and praying for you to kiss me. Please answer my
prayer so I might keep my faith—so that my hope doesn’t turn to
despair.
Their lips touch and time stops in that moment.
Because she has
now taken his sin from him, she believes his sin now lives upon her lips.
And with such sin on her lips, there is only one way to now rid herself
of it—to kiss Romeo once again.
Give me my sin back,
And kiss they do.
Romeo says.
It is the kiss of eternity and long-meant-to-be
connection.
From deep within, they entwine as if they were meant to be
from birth.
It is a long, passionate kiss that pulls them both into
swirling, all-consuming emotion.
Suddenly, they are interrupted by the Nurse’s voice.
Oh, Juliet! Juliet!
Yes, Nurse?
Juliet separates from Romeo, wiping her mouth with
her hand.
Your mother would like to speak with you.
Yes, Ma’am,
smiling.
Juliet walks away from Romeo and cannot stop
She gives him a long look as she moves away.
For both of
them, this is a kiss and a beginning.
Romeo watches Juliet disappear into the crowd and turns to the
Nurse, desperate to know everything he can about this perfect girl he
has just fallen for tonight.
Who is Juliet’s mother? Where is she going?
Mrs. Capulet, my dear!
Such a kind woman.
I’ve cared for her daughter since birth!
34
Romeo’s heart sinks.
He cannot believe his ears.
The Nurse walks away and Romeo cannot move.
He is absolutely
devastated by such horrible news.
As Romeo stands still, overcome with horror, Juliet moves toward the
crowd toward her mother filled with love at first sight.
She says to
herself,
If he is already married, I will die.
Benvolio finds Romeo staring into the crowd, looking as if he just
received the most overwhelming news of his entire life.
He takes
Romeo’s arm and leads him out of the banquet hall, away from the
feast.
As Benvolio and Romeo step out into the night, Juliet is as anxious as
Romeo to discover the identity of this handsome creature who just
kissed her with a passion never before known to her.
She doesn’t want to be too obvious in asking, however.
Because
Juliet doesn’t want the Nurse to say anything to her mother, so she
simply asks her to tell her who all the young men were at the party.
When the Nurse returns with her answer, Juliet almost faints.
She
cannot believe what the Nurse has just told her—that the most amazing
kiss of her life was with a Montague—that the man she has fallen in love
with so instantly, so completely, is a Montague.
The enemy of her
father’s court.
The only man I love is the son of the only man I hate!
she cries.
35
Chapter V Questions
1. Romeo calls his eyes ____________ because he never saw true
beauty before this night.
Ⓐ liars
Ⓑ fools
Ⓒ blind
Ⓓ sinners
2. What do Romeo and Juliet find out after kissing one another?
3. How many times do Romeo and Juliet kiss each other?
4. Who wants to attack Romeo when he hears Romeo’s voice?
Ⓐ Abram
Ⓑ Mr. Capulet
Ⓒ Paris
Ⓓ Tybalt
5. Match Romeo’s romantic descriptions with the parts of Juliet’s body he
is praising:
[ Ⓐ lips
Ⓑ hands
Ⓒ beauty
Ⓓ body ]
1) _____ “like a jeweled earring across the cheek of an African”
2) _____ “I’ll touch her ______ with my rough and ugly one.”
3) _____ like blushing travelers, his ______ want to touch hers.
4) _____ “too good for this world.”
6. Who wants to keep the peace at the feast?
Ⓐ Benvolio
Ⓑ Mrs. Capulet
Ⓒ Mr. Capulet
Ⓓ The Nurse
7. Who tells Romeo something he doesn’t want to hear about Juliet?
36
Answer
1. Ⓐ
2. That they are supposed to be enemies.
Juliet a Capulet.
3. Twice
4. Ⓓ
5. 1) Ⓓ
2) Ⓑ
6. Ⓒ
7. The Nurse
3) Ⓐ
4) Ⓒ
That Romeo is a Montague and
37
Chapter VI
True Love and Longing
It is after midnight and Romeo sits among the Sycamore trees once
again.
The shadows of the branches fall across his face as he stares up
at the moon.
Why, why?
he asks the stars, who have brought him a perfect
woman with an imperfect name.
He cannot contain his longing for Juliet.
Mercutio and Benvolio have
gone home and he has been desperate for Juliet since the moment he
left her.
Despite his struggle, his reaction to her Capulet name simply
cannot compare to his desire for her.
His horror was only a fleeting
emotion—replaced by a pure, pure love.
He is now unable to stop
thinking of her—every single thing about her—replaying the images of the
feast over and over in his head.
Her body—the way it fit so gracefully into her soft, flowing dress.
Her
hair, blond and falling softly across her shoulders in the light of the
candlelit room.
could save him.
Her smile—like an angel’s—innocent—a smile so lovely it
And her kiss—her kiss!
have touched hers.
He still cannot believe his lips
He can still feel her against him, still see in his
memory every aspect of her beauty.
He cannot stay away from her any
longer.
Rosaline is a distant memory now.
He cannot believe he was so
foolish to think he had ever known love before now.
All of his old
desires are fading away, and now a new desire—for the unforgettable
Juliet—is eager to take their place.
Compared with his gentle Juliet,
Rosaline doesn’t even seem pretty.
She could never compare to the
38
beauty he has now witnessed.
And he still can’t believe that Juliet’s kiss
said she felt the same way.
Romeo, like Juliet, cannot believe how unfortunate it is that such a
beautiful love between them has sprung up amid the ugliness of their
families’ fighting.
He is in love again—and this time for real.
cannot believe the task before him.
But he
He cannot believe his passion will
force him to give speech after speech of love to a woman who’s
supposed to be his enemy.
And Juliet, like Romeo, cannot believe she’s fallen so quickly for
someone she has been taught by her parents to hate and to fear.
will they ever truly be allowed to be in love?
If Romeo’s an
to her, how will he ever be able to come to her?
How
enemy
To whisper all the
words of love she so desperately wants to hear from him?
Even though
she’s just as in love, she worries how she will ever have the chance to
show him. Or how he will ever have the chance to show her.
As if he suddenly feels the intensity of her longing for him, Romeo
leaps to his feet and takes off running through the trees.
How can I be anywhere else?
screams at the sky.
When my heart is with her?!
The night hears him.
he
The stars hear his cry and
quicken his running steps toward Juliet, who is standing out on her
balcony looking at the same stars that have brought them together.
Romeo reaches her house and feels his heart is bursting—not from
running but from his excitement to see Juliet again.
He leaps onto the
wall of her orchard, careful not to entangle himself in the long vines
stretching over the stones.
39
Meanwhile, Benvolio and Mercutio are walking the streets of Verona
once again, calling out for Romeo.
Cousin!
Romeo!
Where IS he, man?
I have no idea!
He’s a smart guy.
emotion,
Maybe he went to bed.
Too tired from all that
Mercutio says, laughing.
Call for him louder, Mercutio.
You have the kind of voice that could
wake the whole city!
Haha, okay, then.
I’ll call for him as if I’m calling for a spirit! He’s
been talking of all that fate stuff, so maybe he’ll answer this: Loverboy!
Madman!
Passion!
Come to me, brother!
long sigh of love and I’ll be satisfied.
Speak in a whisper—just a
Haha—just one rhyme—one little
love poem for me and I’ll leave you alone.
Benvolio is cracking up.
Or just cry out . . . yeah, that’s it!
brother.
Say
with that heartsick tone of yours.
Or even
just one word to show us just how romantic you’ve become!
Just say
love . . .
Oh my!
Just give us a little love,
or
dove!
good friend Venus.
C’mon, man, say just one lovely word to my
Mercutio joins Benvolio in laughing so hard they
have to stop walking and lean against the wall to catch their breath.
C’MON, man!
Just say the nickname of her blind son Cupid—you
know—the one who shot all those arrows so well in the old story.
You
know! The one—
Mercutio interrupts himself and looks at Benvolio, who almost starts
laughing again at Mercutio’s expression, which could make anyone augh.
He’s not hearing me, man.
coming.
He’s just not hearing me.
He’s not
40
Benvolio is still trying to catch his breath from laughing.
okay,
he gasps,
just try one more time.
Okay,
This is too funny.
Keep
going.
All right, okay.
monkey!
Mercutio agrees, laughing.
ROMEO!
You silly
I know you’ve died from a broken heart and all, but c’MON!
Come to us, brother.
This is my last try, so I’m going to make it a
good one. Ready? Okay.
Benvolio is now rolling on the ground laughing at Mercutio.
All right, Romeo.
Here we go.
I demand that you come to us!
I command you to reveal yourself!
I ask you in the only way that will
bring you before us—I ask you by Rosaline!
Her shining eyes, by her
wide forehead and her ruby red lips, by her fine, delicate feet, by her
strong, muscular legs, by all of her body, which has seemed to control
you completely.
In the name of all of these things, I command you to
appear before us in your true form.
Okay, this is too funny, bro.
But honestly, if he hears us he’s going
to flip out. Maybe you should stop.
No way!
What I’m saying can’t possibly make him angry. He would
be angry if I called for some strange spirit to be with Rosaline instead of
him—that’s what would make him angry.
things I’m saying are pretty fair.
Let’s get real: all of these
I’m just being honest. All I’m doing is
saying the name of the woman he loves to save him from that dark,
dark place of thinking you’re in love when you’re not!
Well, his love is blind, so I guess he belongs in that dark, dark
place.
If love is blind, my friend, then it has a long way to go before it
hits the bull’s-eye.
I’ve had enough of this!
Too funny.
Come on,
Benvolio, should we go?
Yeah, I guess so.
want to be found.
No point in looking anymore for him if he doesn’t
41
Romeo’s friends have no idea that he is climbing the wall of the
Capulet house at this very moment, digging his hands and fingers into
the stone wall.
They have no idea that Rosaline has left his mind
completely, or that he has found a love richer than he ever imagined, a
love he is willing to climb walls—and soon balconies—for to reach the
woman of his dreams!
Juliet has gone back inside in her room,
without waiting.
For some
reason, even though she is in her nightgown, she cannot seem to get
into bed.
She has a feeling—almost an instinct—that she should stay
awake just a little longer.
42
Chapter VI Questions
1. When this chapter opens, Romeo and Juliet are longing for one
another.
Where are they?
Romeo is ___________________ and
Juliet is __________________.
Ⓐ with Benvolio, with the Nurse
Ⓑ among the Sycamore trees, standing out on her balcony
Ⓒ walking the streets of Verona, lying in her bed
Ⓓ inside his room with the curtains closed, walking around her house
2. Mercutio calls for Romeo as if he is a _______________.
3. List a name Mercutio calls Romeo to make him appear.
4. When Romeo doesn’t appear to Benvolio and Mercutio, Mercutio
begins describing_________________.
Ⓐ Queen Mab
Ⓑ Prince Escalus
Ⓒ Rosaline
Ⓓ Juliet
5. Please write T or F beside the following statements.
Write T if the
statement is true and F if it is false.
1) _____Romeo compares Juliet’s smile to an angel’s.
2) _____Romeo climbs a ladder to get to Juliet’s balcony.
3) _____Juliet feels very sleepy and wishes Romeo were there with
her.
6. Benvolio and Mercutio agree that Romeo is in a _____, _____ place.
Ⓐ sad, sad
Ⓑ dark, dark
Ⓒ terrible, terrible
Ⓓ far, far
7. Romeo “[replays] the images from the feast over and over in his
43
head.” Fill in the blanks with adjectives to describe what Romeo
remembers from the night:
1) _____ room
2) _____ love
3) _____ dress
4) _____ hair
Answer
1. Ⓑ
2. spirit
3. (Possible Answers) Loverboy, Madman, Passion, silly monkey
4. Ⓒ
5. 1) T
2) F
3) F
⇨ He climbs the stone wall of her orchard.
She cannot seem to get
into bed because she feels she should stay awake just a little bit
longer.
6. Ⓑ
7. candlelit room, pure, (pure) love, soft, flowing dress, blond hair