William Shakespeare’s ROMEO & JULIET
Adapted by Marieka Peterson Greene
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Romeo Montague Old Montague Lady Montague MercuBo Benvolio Abram Balthasar In love with Juliet
Romeo’s Father
Romeo’s Mother
Friend of Romeo
Romeo’s Cousin
Montague’s Servant
Romeo’s Servant
Juliet Capulet Old Capulet Lady Capulet Tybalt Nurse Peter Gregory Sampson Anthony (CiBzen 1) Potpan (CiBzen 2) In love with Romeo
Juliet’s Father
Juliet’s Mother
Juliet’s Cousin
Juliet’s Nurse
Servant of the Capulets
Servant of the Capulets
Servant of the Capulets
Servant of the Capulets
Servant of the Capulets
Prince Escalus Count Paris Friar Lawrence Friar John (CiBzen 3) Apothecary (CiBzen 4) Lucinda/Watchman 1 Zita/Watchman 2 Marta/Watchman 3 Prince of Verona
Juliet’s Suitor
Marries Romeo and Juliet
Friend of Friar Lawrence Sells poison to Romeo
A Young Lady/Prince’s Guard
A Young Lady/Prince’s Guard
A Young Lady/Prince’s Guard
1
SCENE 1
Before the curtains open, PRINCE ESCALUS steps out
onto the stage. He is in spotlight.
PRINCE
Two households, both alike in dignity,
in fair Verona where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new violence,
Where brothers’ blood makes brothers’ hands unclean.
As PRINCE speaks, ROMEO and JULIET step out
on opposite sides of PRINCE.
Come forth from deadly homes of these two foes,
ROMEO and JULIET
A pair of star-­‐crossed lovers take their life;
PRINCE
Whose misadventure sadness overthrows
ROMEO and JULIET
And with their death, bury their parents’ strife.
PRINCE
And now, if you with paBent ears a\end,
What’s gone unsaid, our play shall strive to mend.
ALL exit.
SCENE 2
Curtain opens. The Streets of Verona.
GREGORY and SAMPSON enter stage right.
GREGORY
Ay, but the quarrel is between our masters!
SAMPSON
And us their men! ‘Tis all the same!
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GREGORY
But the prince hath warned our household. Don’t strike so quickly.
SAMPSON
I’ll strike quickly, if I am moved to strike.
GREGORY
If you move, then you’ll run away!
If you are valiant, then you should be sBll.
SAMPSON
Any dog of Montague will move me to stand.
I will show myself a tyrant!
GREGORY
Draw thy blade, here come two of the house of Montegue!
SAMPSON
My weapon is out! I will back thee!
GREGORY
How? By turning your back to run?
SAMPSON and GREGORY draw their swords.
ABRAM and BLATHASAR enter stage leJ.
They walk slowly toward SAMPSON and GREGORY.
SAMPSON
Fear me not. I’ll stand close!
GREGROY
I will frown as I pass by and let them see it.
SAMPSON
Nay, I will bite my thumb at them.
Such a disgrace if they noBce it without speaking.
SAMPSON bites his thumb. ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
SAMPSON
I do bite my thumb, sir.
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ABRAM
Do you bit your thumb at us, sir?
SAMPSON
No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir; but I bite my thumb, sir.
GREGORY
(to ABRAM) Do you quarrel with us, sir?
ABRAM
Quarrel, sir?
BALTHASAR
No, sir!
SAMPSON
We serve as good a man as you, sir.
BENVIOLIO enters on ABRAM’s side.
ABRAM
No be\er?
TYBALT enters behind GREGORY and SAMPSON.
GREGORY
(to GREGORY) Say “be\er,” Here comes Tybalt. He shall back us.
SAMPSON
Yes, be\er, sir!
ABRAM
You lie!
SAMPSON
Draw your swords, if you be men!
They fight. BENVOLIO tries to stop them. BENVOLIO
Part, fools! Put up your swords!
They stop, briefly.
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TYBALT
What, Benvolio? Are you all heartless in your household?
Draw thy sword, and face thy death!
BENVOLIO
I do but keep the peace! Put away thy sword, Tybalt.
Or use it to part these men with me.
TYBALT
Talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell,
all Montagues and thee! Coward!
TYBALT charges at BENVOLIO with his sword drawn. All fight.
CITIZENS of Verona enter. CITIZEN 1
Strike! CITIZEN 2
Beat them down!
CITIZEN 3
Down with their house!
ALL CAPULETS
Down with Montague dogs!
CITIZEN 4 and 1
Down with the Capulets!
BENVOLIO
Ay, strike again!
CITIZEN 2 and CITIZEN 3
Strike again!
TYBALT
Coward dogs!
MONTAGUE AND LADY MONTAGUE enter stage leJ.
CAPULET and LADY CAPULET enter stage right.
CAPULET
What noise is this? Give me my sword!
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LADY CAPULET
Husband, you are too old to fight.
MONTAGUE
You are a villain Capulet! Hold me not, let me go!
LADY MONTAGUE holds MONTAGUE back.
LADY MONTAGUE
You shall not sBr one foot to meet a foe!
PRINCE enters followed by WATCHMEN
PRINCE
Villainous Rebels! Enemies of the peace!
All fighVng stops. PRINCE stands center stage.
What? Could you be men?
Nay, you are but beasts who turn your blades on your neighbors!
Throw your bloody weapons to the ground and hear the warning of your prince. ALL drop their weapons to the ground.
Three Bmes, now, your heated brawls have
disturbed the peace of our city’s streets. If ever you disturb our streets again,
you shall repay your fellow ciBzens with your lives.
He looks at CAPULET and MONTAGUE.
You, Capulet, come along with me
And you, Montague, will come this aiernoon.
We shall discuss the hap’nings of this place.
And to the rest of you: Once more, on pain of death, you must depart!
PRINCE exits followed by CAPULET and all Capulets.
All exit but MONTAGUE, LADY MONTAGUE, and BENVOLIO.
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SCENE 3
MONTAGUE
Nephew, what has happened here?
Who did start this ancient quarrel up again?
BENVOLIO
I was not here when it began.
‘Twas servants from both houses to first draw their swords.
MONTAGUE
And when you came upon the scene?
BENVOLIO
I drew my sword to part them, Uncle.
But in that instant Tybalt came. His sword was drawn and ready.
He did taunt me with his culng words,
and I could not hold back.
MONTAGUE
And ‘twas then I came upon the brawl.
LADY MONTAGUE
Nephew, saw you Romeo today?
Glad am I he was not at this scene.
BENVOLIO
Ay, my lady. Just before the golden sun arose, I saw him.
He walked beneath the grove of sycamore trees.
Toward him I moved. But he, aware of me, took
a different path through the wood.
His mind is troubled.
LADY MONTAGUE
Many a morning he has been seen there.
With tears as fresh as the morning’s dew.
BENVOLIO
Do you know the cause?
MONTAGUE
I neither know it, nor can learn of it.
He will not speak to me.
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BENVOLIO
Look now, he comes this way!
If it please you, step aside. I’ll seek his sorrow.
LADY MONTAGUE
Oh, that he’ll share it with you.
MONTAGUE and LADY MONTAGUE exit stage right.
SCENE 4
ROMEO enters stage leJ.
BENVOLIO
Good morrow, cousin.
ROMEO
Is the day so young?
BENVOLIO
The clock just struck nine.
ROMEO
Ay me! Sad hours seem long!
BENVOLIO
And what sadness makes Romeo’s hours so long?
ROMEO
I don’t have what makes them short.
BENVOLIO
Are you in love?
ROMEO
Out.
BENVOLIO
Of love?
ROMEO
Out of favor with the one I love.
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BENVOLIO
Alas, love! Love should be kind, not so full of sorrow.
ROMEO
Have you experienced it?
BENVOLIO
No, cousin. I’d rather weep.
ROMEO
Weep at what?
BENVOLIO
At your piBful state!
ROMEO
Oh, Rosaline!
BENVOLIO
I trust she will not return your affecBon?
ROMEO
She refuses to be hit by cupids arrow.
She swears she’ll die a maid.
Enter MERCUTIO.
MERCUTIO
Gentleman! Why the serious face?
BENVOLIO
Romeo has lost his heart.
MERCUTIO
Then get him to the surgeon!
ROMEO
Nay, MercuBo. ‘Tis not a joking ma\er.
MERCUTIO
Then be\er reason to joke!
BENVOLIO
Listen to your cousin, and forget to think of her.
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MERCUTIO?
Her? Has thou let a maid steal your heart?
Enter PETER, holding a scroll in confusion.
PETER
Pardon, good ciBzens. Might you help a fellow?
BENVOLIO
Good servant, what is the problem?
PETER
My master hath sent me with this message.
I am to deliver it to several households of Verona.
Alas, I cannot read it.
MERCUTIO
Give it here.
PETER hands the scroll to MERCUTIO.
MERCUTIO looks it over, pauses to look at BENVOLIO and ROMEO, then hands it back.
MERCUTIO
Come you from the house of Capulet?
PETER
I do.
MERCUTIO
Your master wishes to serve as host to the fair families of Verona. This evening there shall be costume, music and dancing.
Go now. You have your message.
PETER
Thank you, kind sir! You must come, the three of you, and enjoy the revelry!
PETER exVst quickly.
MERCUTIO
Hear that? We have an invitaBon!
10 BENVOLIO
The poor lad doesn’t know we are from the wrong house.
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MERCUTIO
And that fact be your luck! MALVOLIO puts his arm around ROMEO.
MERCUTIO
We must go, Romeo! You must feast your eyes on other beauBes!
ROMEO pulls away from MERCUTIO.
ROMEO
Nay, I won’t seek trouble in the house of Capulet!
BENVOLIO
Your sorrow has soiened you.
Come, cousin. Let us find our costumes!
BENVOLIO puts his arm around ROMEO.
They exit quickly. Curtain closes.
SCENE 5
Curtain opens. JULIET’s chambers.
NURSE Vdies the room. LADY CAPULET enters.
LADY CAPULET
Nurse, where is my daughter? Call her forth to me!
NURSE
Juliet? Juliet? Juliet! I bade you come!
JULIET enters.
JULIET
How now, who calls?
NURSE
Your mother.
JULIET
Madam, I am here. What is your will?
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LADY CAPULET
I’ll tell you of the ma\er. Nurse, leave us a while.
We must speak in secret.
NURSE goes to leave.
LADY CAPULET
No! Nurse, come back again.
I have remembered. You should hear of what we speak!
You know my daughter’s of a pre\y age.
NURSE returns.
NURSE
Ay! I’ve cared for her so long I know her age down to the hour.
LADY CAPULET
She’s not yet fourteen.
NURSE
How the years have passed.
You were the prelest babe that ever I nursed.
And I might live to see you married!
LADY CAPULET
Marry, that “marry” is the very ma\er I came to speak of.
Tell me, daughter, how stands your opinion to be married?
JULIET
It is an honor that I dream not of.
LADY CAPULET
Well, think of it! There are ladies here in Verona,
younger than you, who are made already mothers!
Thus, then, in brief: The valiant Paris seeks your hand.
NURSE
A man, young lady, such a man!
Perfect as any in the world!
LADY CAPULET
What say you? Can you love the gentleman?
Tonight you shall behold him at our feast.
Look to his young face, and find delight in how ‘Bs sculpted.
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JULIET
I’ll look to like, if looking liking move.
Enter POTPAN.
POTPAN
Madam, the guests are come and supper is served.
I beseech you, follow straight.
LADY CAPULET
We follow you. Juliet! The count awaits!
JULIET looks at NURSE.
NURSE
Go, girl, seek happy nights to happy days!
ALL exit. Curtain closes.
SCENE 6
Curtain opens. Outside the house of CAPULET. Music can be heard.
MERCUTIO enters and stands downstage. BENVOLIO and ROMEO follow.
ABRAM and BALTHASAR carry torches behind.
ALL wear masks and simple costumes.
MERCUTIO
‘Tis a lively night! Oh happy music!
ROMEO
And what shall we say if we are asked our reason for entering?
BENVOLIO
Do not fear, cousin. You do not wear worried well.
We’ll have a look, dance a dance, and then be gone.
ROMEO
Give me a torch, I am not for dancing.
MERCUTIO
Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance!
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ROMEO
Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes with nimble soles.
I have a soul of lead. It stakes me to the ground.
MERCUTIO
You are a lover! Borrow cupid’s wings and soar!
BENVOLIO
Come! Knock and enter!
And no sooner that we’re in than every man take to his feet!
All cross upstage. All party guests, wearing masks, enter the stage.
ANTHONY, POTPAN, and PETER enter stage right with LUCINDA, ZITA and MARTA
CAPULET enters stage leJ with LADY CAPULET
JULIET and PARIS follow, arm and arm. TYBALT follows.
CAPULET
Welcome, gentleman! Was once a day when I did wear a mask
and whisper into a fair lady’s ear. ‘Tis gone for me.
Come, musicians, play!
A new song starts. ANTHONY, POTPAN and PETER
start to dance with LUCINDA, ZITA and MARTA.
MONTAGUES stand upstage right.
TYBALT stands upstage leJ.
GREGORY and SAMPSON enter and join him.
Music fades.
CAPULET
Well, daughter, how suits you this fine knight?
JULIET
For a dance, he suits me fine.
PARIS
‘Tis you who are truly fine, Juliet. As fine as the morning dew.
Come, shall we have a dance?
PARIS takes JULIET’s hand and they join the dancers.
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ROMEO steps forward with BALTHASAR.
ROMEO
What lady is that who graces the hand of the Count Paris?
BALTHASAR
I know not, sir.
ROMEO
Oh, how she teaches the torches to burn!
How brightly she shines! Did my heart love Bll now?
I never saw true beauty Bll this night!
Go, Balthasar, and find her name.
BALTHASAR roams the room. ROMEO steps back to watch JULIET.
TYBALT steps forward with GREGORY and SAMPSON
TYBALT
He, by his voice, must be a Montague.
What dares him to enter this house?
Sampson, fetch me my sword.
Now, by the honor of my kin, I’ll strike him dead!
SAMPSON exits. CAPULET steps forward.
CAPULET
Why, how now, nephew? What angers you?
TYBALT
Uncle, that is a Montague!
GREGORY
Perhaps young Romeo!
SAMPSON returns with a small sword.
He hands it to TYBALT.
TYBALT
‘Tis he, the villain!
CAPULET
Calm yourself and let him alone.
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TYBALT
Let him alone? As a guest?
CAPULET
I’ll not have you shed blood on this happy night.
Therefore be paBent. Take no note of him.
TYBALT
I shall not endure him!
CAPULET
He shall be endured! What, good boy! I say he shall! Am I the master here, or you? Let him alone!
CAPULET walks away from TYBALT.
The music stops, and the dancers rest. All guests quietly visit and exit.
SCENE 7
JULIET leaves the dancers and steps downstage.
ROMEO follows, they are alone.
ROMEO suddenly takes JULIET’s hand.
ROMEO
Your hand, so smooth and holy, deserves be\er than my rough touch.
But my lips, like blushing pilgrims, stand ready to smooth it with a tender kiss.
ROMEO bends to kiss her hand.
JULIET takes it quickly away.
JULIET
Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hands too much.
For saints have hands, that pilgrims’ hands do touch.
And palm to palm does make a holy kiss.
JULIET puts her hands up and ROMEO
places his palms against hers.
ROMEO
Have not saints lips? And holy pilgrims too?
JULIET
Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.
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ROMEO
Oh then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do,
and answer this pilgrim’s prayer.
JULIET
Yet saints do not move, though they listen.
ROMEO
Then do not move. ROMEO leans in and kisses JULIET.
JULIET
You kiss by the book!
NURSE enters.
NURSE
Madam, your mother craves a word with you.
JULET slowly lets go of ROMEO’s hands.
She exits.
ROMEO
Who is her mother?
NURSE
Silly, boy. Her mother is the lady of the house.
I nursed her daughter with whom your were talking.
I tell you, he that takes her hand will be the wealthiest man alive.
NURSE exits.
ROMEO
She is a Capulet! My heart is in the hands of my enemy!
BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO enter. ABRAM and BALTHASAR follow.
BENVOLIO
Come, cousin. Let us be gone. Our game is done.
MERCUTIO
We best depart before trouble finds us.
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ROMEO
I fear I’ve already found trouble.
MERCUTIO
Then hear me, and depart!
ROMEO
I cannot leave when my heart lives here.
ROMEO backs away and turns to exit, running.
BENVOLIO
Romeo! Cousin!
BALTHASAR
(to BENVOLIO) He hath run that way and leapt the orchard wall.
BENVOLIO
Call, good MercuBo.
MERCUTIO
Come, he hath hid himself among these trees.
‘Tis silly to seek a man that cares not to be found.
MERCUTIO exits. All others follow. Curtain closes.
SCENE 8
Curtain opens. JULIET’s chambers.
NURSE and JULIET enter. JULIET wears a nightgown.
JULIET
Good nurse, who was he that would not dance?
NURSE
The gentle one? On whose lips I did find you?
JULIET
Ay, he!
NURSE
I dare not say.
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JULIET
Gentle nurse, pray tell me!
NURSE
His name is Romeo, and a Montague.
The only son of your greatest enemy.
JULIET
(quietly to herself) My only love sprung from my only hate!
NURSE
What’s this?
JULIET
(quickly) A rhyme I learned from one I danced with.
NURSE
Well, ‘Bs Bme to put your rhyming head to bed.
Get thee to thy rest.
JULIET
Aier some air from this bright night. Good night, dear Nurse.
NURSE kisses JULIET on the forehead and exits.
JULIET brushes her hair.
ROMEO enters in front and below the stage.
ROMEO
How I am doomed to love those I cannot.
The daughter of Capulet!
JULIET moves to her balcony on the stage.
ROMEO speaks to himself.
ROMEO
But soi! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!
Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick with grief, for thou art far more fair than she.
JULIET
Ay, me!
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ROMEO
She speaks! Oh, speak again, bright angel!
Thou art as glorious as a winged messenger of heaven!
JULIET
Oh Romeo! Romeo! Where art thou Romeo?
Deny your father and refuse your name!
Or, if you’ll not, swear your love and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
ROMEO
(to himself) Shall I hear more, or shall I speak?
JULIET
‘Tis only your name that is my enemy!
What is a Montague? ‘Tis not a hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man.
What is in a name? A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet!
Romeo, refuse your name and take all of me!
ROMEO
Just call me your love and I’ll never more be Romeo.
JULIET
(startled) Who is there? What man are you who hath stumbled on my dreaming?
ROMEO
A man with a name I cannot speak. ‘Tis the name of your enemy.
JULIET
Are you Romeo? Are you Montague?
ROMEO
Neither, fair maid, if either you dislike.
JULIET
Romeo! If they find you they will murder you!
ROMEO starts to climb the stage to be closer to JULIET.
20 ROMEO
If you do not love me, let them find me!
I’d rather my life be ended by their hate than by your denial.
Sweet lady, I swear by yonder blessed moon -­‐
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JULIET
Swear not by the moon! She is not constant, changing shape by the night.
ROMEO
What shall I swear by?
JULIET
Do not swear at all, or if you must, swear by thy gracious self.
ROMEO
Well, then I swear -­‐
JULIET
No, do not swear. Although I take joy in thee,
this is not the night for contracts. This is too rash, too sudden.
JULIET turns to look inside.
JULIET
Sweet Romeo, goodnight! Let us think of our love as a rose bud,
fresh and new. And this bud, ripened by the summer’s breeze, may be a beauBful flower when next we meet.
ROMEO reaches out for her hand.
ROMEO
Oh, will you leave me so unsaBsfied?
JULIET
What more saBsfacBon can you have tonight?
ROMEO
Your vow of love in return of mine.
JULIET
I gave you my vow before you requested it.
And yet, I would give it again.
My love is as deep and boundless as the sea.
The more I give to you, the more I have!
NURSE
(from off stage) Juliet?
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JULIET
(to ROMEO) I hear some noise within. Dear love, goodbye.
(to NURSE) I come, good Nurse!
(to ROMEO) Stay but a li\le, I will come again.
JULIET leaves the balcony and quickly exits.
ROMEO
Oh blessed, blessed night! I am afraid I am but dreaming!
JULIET enters and runs to the balcony again.
JULIET
Dear Romeo, I must now to bed. But know, if your purpose is marriage I will have thee!
Send word tomorrow by my nurse, whom I’ll send your way.
And all my fortunes at your foot I’ll lay, and follow you throughout the world.
NURSE
(from off stage) Juliet!
JULIET
(to NURSE) I come! I come!
(to ROMEO) But if you won’t marry, I ask you...
NURSE
(from off stage) Juliet, Juliet!
JULIET
(to ROMEO) Leave me alone to grieve.
ROMEO
Sweet lady, if you’ll have me, I am yours.
JULIET
‘Till tomorrow then. A thousand Bmes good night!
JULIET starts to exit, then turns back.
ROMEO
A thousand Bmes worse is to miss your light. Good night.
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JULIET
ParBng is such sweet sorrow,
I might say goodnight ‘Bll night be tomorrow.
JULIET runs back inside and exits.
ROMEO climbs down to the front of the stage.
ROMEO
Now I’ll to the friar, to whose good heart I’ll trust my intenBons.
ROMEO exits. Curtain closes.
SCENE 9
Curtain opens. Streets of Verona. MERCUTIO and BENVOLIO enter.
MERCUTIO
Where the devil should our Romeo be?
Came he not home last night?
BENVOLIO
Not to his father’s house.
But Tybalt, kinsman to old Capulet, hath sent a le\er to our house.
MERCUTIO
A challenge?
BENVOLIO
Ay, and Romeo will answer it.
MERCUTIO
Alas, poor Romeo! He is already dead!
He’s been shot through the ear with a love song.
He is not the man to fight Tybalt.
ROMEO enters.
BENVOLIO
Here comes Romeo!
MERCUTIO
(to ROMEO) There he is! He that made fools of us!
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ROMEO
Good morrow to you both.
Fools only make fools of themselves.
MERCUTIO
You slipped away from us, sir.
NURSE and PETER enter.
ROMEO
Pardon, good MercuBo. My business was great.
And here comes even greater business.
MERCUTIO
Greater indeed. What business have you with this boat?
NURSE
(to PETER) My fan, Peter!
MERCUTIO
Good, Peter, to quickly hide her face,
for I find the fan more lovely.
NURSE
Good morrow, gentleman.
Can any of you tell me where I may find the young Romeo?
ROMEO
I am the youngest by that name.
NURSE
If you be he, sir, I desire conference with you.
MERCUTIO
(to ROMEO) She will eat you for supper!
BENVOLIO
Romeo, will you to your father’s?
We’ll to dinner soon.
ROMEO
I will follow you.
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MERCUTIO
Fare thee well, ancient lady.
Though fair we find you not!
BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO exit.
NURSE
I pray you, sir, what saucy man was that?
ROMEO
A man, good lady, who loves to hear himself talk.
NURSE
Pray you, sir, a word.
NURSE pulls ROMEO away from PETER.
NURSE
My young lady bid me ask you out.
What she asked me to say, I’ll not say unBl you promise not to lead her to fools paradise.
ROMEO
(sincerely) Good nurse, I protest unto thee -­‐
NURSE
You’ve a good heart and, in faith, I’ll tell her that.
Lord, she will be a joyful woman.
ROMEO
Tell her to meet me at the cell of Friar Lawrence.
This aiernoon she’ll be married.
NURSE
This very aiernoon, sir?
She will be there.
NURSE goes to leave.
ROMEO
Commend me to thy lady!
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May only be copied for single classroom use. 25
NURSE
Ay, a thousand Bmes.
Peter?
PETER
Anon!
NURSE
Away with us!
NURSE exits and PETER follows.
ROMEO exits opposite side. SCENE 10
The church. FRAIR LAWRENCE and ROMEO enter.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
So smile the heavens upon this holy act!
And may this marriage end the violence between two houses.
ROMEO
Amen, amen. FRAIR LAWRENCE
I only pray that sorrow find us not aier ‘Bs done.
ROMEO
No sorrow can ruin the joy I find in her.
Love, all powerful, will devour death.
It is enough I may but call her mine.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Here comes the lady.
JULIET enters and runs to ROMEO.
They embrace.
JULIET
Good evening, Friar.
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FRIAR LAWRENCE
Romeo is happy you are here!
JULIET
As I am, Friar.
ROMEO
Ah, Juliet, your happiness is as great as mine,
but your words are more beauBful.
Tell of the imagined happiness we shall both
receive in this marriage.
JULIET
My imaginaBon is too full for words. And anyone who can tell of their happiness is but a beggar.
My true love is so great that I cannot
sum up sum of half my wealth!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Come, come with me and we will make short of this ceremony.
You shall not stay alone Bll holy church bind two in one.
FRIAR exits. ROMEO and JULIET quickly follow, holding hands.
SCENE 11
Streets of Verona.
BENVOLIO and MERCUTIO enter. ABRAM and BALTHASAR follow.
BENVOLIO
I beg of you, good MercuBo, let us reBre!
This day is hot and, for sure, the Capulets are out.
And if we meet we shall not ‘scape a brawl.
For now, in these hot days, the mad blood is sBrring!
MERCUTIO
Ah, Benvolio! You say you’ll ‘scape a brawl,
but when one comes you, with much happiness, draw.
TYBALT enters. GREGORY, SAMPSON and ANTHONY follow.
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BENVOLIO
(to MERCUTIO) By my head, here come the Capulets.
MERCUTIO
By my heel, I care not!
TYBALT
(to GREGORY) Follow me close, for I will speak to them.
(to BENVOLIO) Good evening, Gentlemen. A word with one of you?
MERCUTIO
Just one word and nothing else?
Or will you make it a word and a strike?
TYBALT
You shall find me ready to strike if you give me reason.
MERCUTIO
But you, Tybalt, could find reason without giving.
TYBALT
MercuBo, wander you with Romeo?
MERCUTIO
Wander? What do you make us? Minstrels?
If I am a minstrel, then here is my fiddlesBck.
(draws his sword) I’ll swing it to make you dance!
BENVOLIO steps between MERCUTIO and TYBALT.
BENVOLIO
Good men, this here is a public place.
Either withdraw to a private place,
or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.
MERCUTIO
Men’s eyes were made to look.
I will not budge for no man’s pleasure.
ROMEO enters.
TYBALT
Well, peace be with you. Here comes my man.
(to ROMEO) Romeo, thou art a villain!
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ROMEO
Tybalt, I have reason to love thee.
I will not argue over such a greeBng.
Therefore, farewell.
ROMEO goes to leave.
TYBALT
Boy, this shall not excuse the wrong
you have done to me. Turn and draw!
ROMEO turns to TYBALT.
ROMEO
I’ve never wronged you, Tybalt.
Rather, I love thee for reason I cannot explain.
And so, good Capulet, a name I love as much as my own,
be saBsfied with my withdrawal.
MERCUTIO
(to ROMEO) Oh dishonorable submission!
Romeo! What do you say?
MERCUTIO draws his sword and points it at TYBALT.
MERCUTIO
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, you Prince of Cats, I challenge you!
ROMEO
Gentle MercuBo, put away your sword!
TYBALT
(drawing his sword) Nay, draw it forth!
MERCUTIO and TYBALT start to duel.
ROMEO draws his sword.
ROMEO
Draw your sword, Benvolio. Beat down their weapons!
Gentlemen, for shame! Stop this outrage!
The Prince has forbidden brawling in the streets.
Hold, Tybalt! Good MercuBo!
The fight conVnues. ROMEO tries to stop it.
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TYBALT stabs MERCUTIO, then steps away.
ANTHONY
Tybalt, away!
SAMPSON
You must flee this bloody site!
All Capulets exit.
MERCUTIO puts his hand to his wound.
MERCUTIO
I am hurt. I am finished! Is he gone without a cut?
A plague on both your houses!
BENVOLIO
What, art thou hurt?
MERCUTIO
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch.
BALTHASAR
I shall fetch a surgeon!
BALTHASAR exits running.
ROMEO
Courage, man. The hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO
No, ‘Bs not so deep, but ‘Bs enough.
Look for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.
My Bme here is done. A plague on both your houses!
(to ROMEO) Why came you between us?
I was hurt under your arm!
ROMEO
I thought ‘twas all for the best.
MERCUTIO
Help me into some house, Benvolio.
They have made worms’ meat of me.
A plague on both your houses!
30 BENVOLIO helps MERCUTIO. They exit, ABRAM follows.
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ROMEO
My reputaBon was stained by Tybalt’s slander! This gentleman, my very friend, received his mortal blow on my behalf. BENVOLIO enters.
BENVOLIO
Oh Romeo, Romeo, brave MercuBo is dead!
That gallant spirit has risen to the clouds!
TYBALT enters.
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again!
ROMEO
Alive in triumph, and MercuBo slain!
My fire-­‐eyes are filled with fury.
ROMEO draws his sword.
ROMEO
Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again.
MercuBo’s soul is but a li\le way above our heads
waiBng for you to keep him company.
Either you or I, or both, must go with him!
TYBALT
Wretched boy, you wandered with him on earth,
you shall wander with him hence!
ROMEO and TYBALT duel.
ROMEO strikes, TYBALT falls down dead.
ROMEO drops his sword and covers his eyes.
BENVOLIO
Romeo, away, be gone!
The ciBzens see all, and Tybalt is slain.
Stand not amazed! The Prince will doom thee to death
if you are taken. Hence, be gone, away!
ROMEO falls to his knees.
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ROMEO
Oh, I am fortune’s fool!
BENVOLIO
Why do you stay? Away!
ROMEO stands, takes his sword, and exits running.
SCENE 12
WATCHMEN enter running.
WATCHMAN 1 Which way ran the man that killed MercuBo?
WATCHMAN 2
Tybalt, the murder, where did he run?
BENVOLIO
(poinVng to TYBALT) There lies Tybalt, sir.
WATCHMAN 3
(to TYBALT) Up, sir, come with us!
TYBALT lies moVonless.
WATCHMAN 1
We charge thee in the Prince’s name!
BENVOLIO
You waste your breath for he is dead.
PRINCE, CAPULET, LADY CAPULET
MONTAGUE, and LADY MONTAGUE enter.
PRINCE
Where are the vile beginners of this brawl?
BENVOLIO
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,
that killed your friend MercuBo.
LADY CAPULET runs to TYBALT
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LADY CAPULET
Tybalt, my nephew! My brother’s son!
Oh, the blood is spilled of our dear kinsman!
CAPULET
Prince, as thou art true,
for the blood of ours, make blood of a Montague.
PRINCE
Romeo killed Tybalt and Tybalt killed MercuBo.
Now who shall pay the price?
LADY MONTAGUE
Not Romeo, Prince!
MONTAGUE
He was MercuBo’s friend.
He only did the job of JusBce by taking the life of Tybalt.
PRINCE
And for that offense, I immediately exile him hence!
Let Romeo go in in haste, or, the hour that he is found, shall be his last.
PRINCE exits. Curtain closes.
SCENE 13
Curtain opens. JULIET’s chambers. JULIET
Oh, let the night come!
Let Romeo leap into my arms, untalked of and unseen.
NURSE enters.
JULIET
Ay, me, what news?
Why do you wring your hands?
NURSE
We are undone, lady! We are undone!
Alas, the day! He’s gone, he’s killed, he’s dead!
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JULIET
Can heaven be so hateful?
NURSE
Romeo can, though heaven is not.
Oh, Romeo! Who ever would have thought?
JULIET
How can you torment me so?
Has Romeo killed himself?
If he is killed, say “ay,” or if not, “no.”
NURSE
I saw the wound! I saw it with my eyes!
JULIET
Oh, break my heart!
I resign to the vile earth. Let us be buried together!
NURSE
Oh, Tybalt! Tybalt! Honest gentleman!
I never thought I’d see you dead.
JULIET
What is this? Romeo slaughtered and Tybalt dead?
NURSE
Tybalt is dead, and Romeo banished.
Romeo has killed him. JULIET No! ‘Tis not so!
NURSE
There’s no trust, no faith, no honesty in men.
Shame come to Romeo!
JULIET
May your tongue burn for such a wish!
NURSE
Will you defend he who killed your cousin?
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JULIET
Shall I not defend he who is my husband?
Where are my father and mother?
NURSE
Weeping and wailing over Tybalt’s body.
JULIET
They wash his wounds with their tears.
I shall save mine for Romeo.
NURSE
Stay in your chambers. I’ll find Romeo to comfort you.
NURSE exits. JULIET sits quietly to wait.
SCENE 14
COUNT PARIS, CAPULET and LADY CAPULET
enter on the opposite side of the stage.
PARIS
These Bmes of woe are not a Bme for wooing.
CAPULET
Juliet loved her kinsman Tybalt.
She cries for him and shall not come down tonight.
LADY CAPULET
I will speak to her soon and move her to marry.
CAPULET
Sir Paris, we shall make an argument for our child’s love.
And she shall follow our bidding.
Wife, go to her before you go to bed.
Tell her she shall be married on Thursday to this noble man.
PARIS
My lord, I wish that Thursday were tomorrow!
ROMEO enters on JULIET’s side of the stage.
They hug and sit next to each other. They appear to be talking.
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CAPULET
Thursday, be it then. Goodnight.
PARIS
Goodnight, sir.
PARIS exits.
CAPULET
Go to Juliet. Prepare her, wife, for this wedding day.
They exit.
SCENE 15
JULIET’s chambers. ROMEO stands to leave.
JULIET
Will you be gone? ‘Tis not yet near day!
ROMEO
I hear the lark. It welcomes the morning.
JULIET
It was the nighBngale, and not the lark,
that pierced your fearful ear.
ROMEO
No nighBngale. Look, love: rosy streaks
that paint the clouds in the eastern sky.
I must be gone and live, or stay and die.
JULIET
‘Tis not daylight. ‘Tis but a meteor!
Therefore stay, you need not be gone.
JULIET kisses him.
ROMEO
Oh, let me be taken! Let me be put to death!
It shall be as you say, so let it be night.
I have more care to stay than will to go.
36 NURSE enters.
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NURSE
Madam! Your lady mother is coming to your chamber!
The day has broken. Be wary, look about!
NURSE exits. JULIET and ROMEO run to the window.
ROMEO
Farewell, farewell. One kiss, and I’ll be gone.
They kiss. ROMEO starts to climb down the stage.
JULIET
And so you go? Oh, my husband, friend!
I must hear from you everyday! Oh the days shall be long!
ROMEO
Farewell! I will send greeBngs, my love!
JULIET
Oh, shall we ever meet again?
ROMEO
I have not a doubt. And all these woes will serve
as memories in our Bme to come.
JULIET
Oh lord! Methinks I see you now, as pale as a corpse in a tomb.
ROMEO
Trust me, love, in my eyes so are you.
This sorrow takes our color. Adieu! Adieu!
ROMEO exits running.
SCENE 16
LADY CAPULET
(from offstage) Daughter, are you up?
LADY capulet enters JULIET’s chambers.
JULIET leaves the window.
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LADY CAPULET
Why, how now, Juliet?
JULIET
Madam, I am not well.
LADY CAPULET
Weeping for your cousin’s death?
JULIET
Let me weep for such a loss.
LADY CAPULET
Well weep no more. We will have vengeance.
And now I’ll tell you joyful Bdings, girl!
JULIET
And what joy comes in such sad Bmes?
LADY CAPULET
Give thanks to your father, Juliet! He has done well for you!
JULIET
I thank him for my life. What more?
LADY CAPULET
My child, early next Thursday morn,
the gallant, young and noble gentleman,
the Count Paris, shall happily make you his joyful bride!
JULIET
He shall not make me a joyful bride!
I pray you, tell my lord and father, I will not marry yet!
JULIET begins to cry.
LADY CAPULET
(angry) Here comes your father, tell him so yourself.
CAPULET and NURSE enter.
CAPULET
Why Juliet? How now? What, sBll in tears?
How now, wife? Have you you not delivered the news?
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LADY CAPULET
Ay, sir, but she will have none of it.
CAPULET
(to JULIET) What, does she not give us thanks?
We have found a worthy gentleman to be her husband!
JULIET gets down on her knees before her father.
JULIET
Good Father, I beseech you on my knees!
Here me speak!
CAPULET
Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch!
JULIET stands before her father.
JULIET
But Father!
CAPULET
Get thee to church on Thursday or never look me in the face!
To have such a daughter is but a curse!
NURSE
God in heaven! My lord, you should not say so!
CAPULET
And why not, you mumbling fool?
LADY CAPULET
Husband, you are too hot. You must rest.
CAPULET
Well, Thursday is near. If you be my daughter, you’ll wed.
If not, then beg, starve, and die in the streets!
CAPULET exits. LADY CAPULET follows.
JULIET
Oh God! Oh Nurse! How shall this be prevented?
What say you? Have you not a word of joy?
Some comfort?
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NURSE
In faith, here is my comfort.
Romeo is banished. He shall not return to you.
As this situaBon stands, I think it best you marry with the count.
I think you will be happier in this second match.
JULIET
Do you speak from the heart?
NURSE
And from my soul.
JULIET pauses to think.
JULIET
Nurse, go to my father. Tell him I am sorry for angering him
and that I’ve gone to Friar Lawrence to confess. NURSE
I will! And this is wisely done!
NURSE exits.
JULIET
Does my sweet nurse abandon me?
There is no comfort, no wise advice in her.
I shall go to the friar for council.
JULIET exits. Curtain closes.
SCENE 17
Curtain opens. The church.
FRIAR LAWRENCE opens the door for JULIET.
JULIET
Oh, shut the door! And aier you do, come weep with me!
I am past hope, past cure, past help!
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Oh Juliet, I know of your situaBon.
You are to be married next Thursday.
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JULIET
Tell me not of this, Friar. Unless you can tell me how I may prevent it.
I wish to die if you speak not of a remedy!
FRIAR LAWRENCE pauses to think.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Wait, my daughter. I do spy some kind of hope.
If, rather than marry Paris, you have the strength to take your life,
then it is likely you’ll try what I suggest.
JULIET
Oh bid me leap, rather than to marry Paris! Hide me with a dead man! There is nothing I will not do to be a wife to my sweet love.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Listen, then. Go home, be merry, and agree to marry Paris.
Tomorrow night let not the nurse sleep with you in your chamber.
(shows her a vial) Take this vial in your hands. When you are in bed, drink all of it. It will bring a cold and drowsy sleep. No pulse shall be detected. No warmth, no breath shall prove you live.
Thinking you are dead, your parents will leave you in your family’s tomb,
and there I shall send Romeo to find you.
JULIET
Give it to me quickly! I shall gladly drink of it!
FRIAR LAWRENCE gives JULIET the vial.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Get you gone. Be strong and prosperous.
I shall send a friar, with great speed, to give word of this to Romeo.
JULIET
Love give me strength. Farewell, dear Friar.
They both exit separately. Curtain closes.
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SCENE 18
Curtain opens. JULIET’s chamber on one side of the stage.
CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, ANTHONY and POTPAN
stand on the opposite side of the stage.
CAPULET
Potpan?
POTPAN
Yes, my lord.
CAPULET
The invited guests are wri\en here.
CAPULET hands a paper to POTPAN.
CAPULET
Make sure they receive word of my daughter’s marriage.
POTPAN
With speed, my lord.
POTPAN exits.
CAPULET
And Anthony?
ANTHONY
Yes, my lord.
CAPULET
Go and hire twenty able cooks.
ANTHONY
I shall find the best, my lord.
ANTHONY exits. JULIET enters.
CAPULET
How now, my headstrong daughter? I hear you’ve gone to repent your sin of disobedience.
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JULIET
I beg your pardon, Father. I am ever ruled by you.
CAPULET
Word has been sent to the count.
Your willingness gives us joy.
We’ll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning!
JULIET
Tomorrow is but Wednesday.
CAPULET
Ay! Your husband is eager.
JULIET
Then I’ll to bed.
LADY CAPULET
Need you my help?
JULIET
No madam. So please you, let me now be lei alone.
And let the nurse stay with you this night.
With such preparaBons, you have need of her.
LADY CAPULET
Very well. Get thee to bed and rest.
JULIET
Good night.
JULIET exits, then enters in her chamber
on the opposite side of the stage.
LADY CAPULET
It is late and there’s is much to be done.
CAPULET
Quiet, my lady. All things shall be done.
And with great happiness!
JULIET goes to her window to watch her parents.
CAPULET and LADY CAPULET exit.
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JULIET
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
There is a faint cold that creeps through my veins.
I wish to call them back for comfort. But my dismal act must act alone.
(holding the vial) Come, vial. I’ll bring you to my lips.
(she stops) But what if this mixture does not work?
Shall I be married tomorrow? And what if my Romeo does not come?
Shall I die alone in the tomb with li\le air?
Enough of this. I must drink.
(bringing the vial to her lips) Romeo, Romeo!
Here’s a drink. I drink to thee!
JULIET drinks from the vial and falls to the floor.
Curtain closes.
SCENE 19
Streets of Mantua.
ROMEO walks as BALTHASAR enters running.
ROMEO
News from Verona! How now, Balthasar?
Do you bring me le\ers from the friar?
How fares my Juliet? Nothing can be wrong if she be well.
BALTHASAR
Oh, pardon me for bringing such sad news!
ROMEO
What is it Balthasar?
BALTHASAR
Your love sleeps in Capulet’s tomb. Her spirits with the angels live.
ROMEO
Can this be true?
BALTHASAR
I saw her laid low in the vault, and presently came to tell you.
ROMEO falls to the ground.
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ROMEO
Then I defy you, stars!
(to BALTHASAR) Have you no le\er from the friar?
BALTHASAR
No, my good lord.
ROMEO stands.
ROMEO
Hire horses, I will go to Verona tonight.
BALTHASAR
Your looks are pale, sir. Your wild eyes suggest some misadventure.
ROMEO
Leave me and do the thing I bid you do!
BALTHASAR
Yes, my good lord.
BALTHASAR exits.
ROMEO
Well, Juliet, I will lay with you tonight.
I remember an apothecary in Verona.
He shall give me medicine for this misfortune.
And with one sip I’ll join my love in a holier place.
ROMEO exits. Curtain closes.
SCENE 20
Curtain opens. The church.
FRIAR LAWRENCE paces. FRIAR JOHN enters, holding a le\er.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Brother John! Welcome from Mantua.
What says Romeo? Or, if he has wri\en, give me the le\er.
FRIAR JOHN
Brother Lawrence, I am sorry to report:
Never in Mantua did I arrive. The way was blocked.
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FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who brought my le\er, then to Romeo?
FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it. Here it is again.
FRIAR JOHN gives the le\er back to FRIAR LAWRENCE.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
What misfortune! Brother John, the le\er was full of importance! NeglecBng it could do much danger!
Go again and this Bme find a way!
FRIAR LAWRENCE gives the le\er back to FRIAR JOHN.
FRIAR JOHN exits.
Now I must to the tomb alone. Within three hours fair Juliet will awake.
I will bring her to my cell where Romeo may find her.
FRIAR LAWRENCE exits. Curtain closes.
SCENE 21
Curtain opens. JULIET lays in a tomb on one side of the stage.
ROMEO stands on the other side, in the streets of Verona.
ROMEO
What, ho! Apothecary!
APOTHECARY enters.
APOTHECARY
Who calls so loud?
ROMEO
Come here, man. There is forty ducats.
ROMEO give APOTHECARY coins.
46 ROMEO
Give me a vial of poison that will make its weary taker fall down dead.
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APOTHECARY
Such mortal drugs I have. But the law brings death
to any that should sell them.
ROMEO
Here’s more coin, then.
ROMEO hands him more money.
APOTHECARY gives ROMEO a vial of poison.
APOTHECARY
Anyone who drinks of this will die no sooner than it reaches lips.
ROMEO
Much thanks, Apothecary.
APOTHECARY exits.
ROMEO
Come, poison, go with me to Juliet’s grave,
for there I must taste of you.
ROMEO crosses the stage towards the tomb.
SCENE 22
ROMEO enters the tomb.
ROMEO
A grave? Oh no! For here lies Juliet,
and her beauty fills this dark place with light.
Oh, my love, my wife! Why are you sBll so fair?
Shall I believe you only sleep? No, ‘Bs not so.
So here I shall lay with you forevermore.
ROMEO kisses JULIET and takes the vial in his hands.
Here’s to my love!
ROMEO drinks the poison.
Oh, apothecary, your drugs are quick!
Thus, with a kiss, I die.
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ROMEO kisses JULIET and dies beside her.
JULIET wakes up.
JULIET
Oh dark tomb! Where is my lord?
I do remember where I should be,
and here I am. Where is my Romeo?
JULIET looks down to see ROMEO
What is this? A cup, closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison? No! Did you drink all and leave no drop for me?
I will kiss your lips. Some poison may hang on them.
JULIET kisses ROMEO.
JULIET
Your lips are sBll warm. What misfortune has happened here?
WATCHMEN 1 and 2 enter on the opposite side of the stage.
BALTHASAR follows them.
WATCHMAN 2
Lead, boy. Which way?
JULIET
What, who comes? I best be quick.
(taking ROMEO’s dagger) Oh, happy dagger,
my heart is your sheath. There rust and let me die!
JULIET stabs herself and dies.
WATCHMAN 1 and BALTHASAR enter the tomb.
BALTHASAR
A piBful sight! Juliet, bleeding, warm and newly dead!
She lays atop of a cold Romeo!
WATCHMAN 1
(to Watchman 2) Run to the Capulets! Rise up the Montagues!
WATCHMAN 2 quickly exits.
FRIAR LAWRENCE enters the stage running.
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FRAIR LAWRENCE
I fear I have come too late!
Dear God, let it be not so!
WATCHMAN 3 enters with PRINCE ESCALUS
PRINCE
What has happened here?
What misadventure calls me form my morning rest?
WATCHMAN 1
My prince, here lies Romeo and Juliet,
warm and newly dead.
PRINCE
Who knows the murderer?
WATCHMAN 2 enters with CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, MONTAGUE, and LADY MONTAGUE. CAPULET
Why do the people cry in the streets?
Why do they come running towards our family monument?
PRINCE
Look, and you will see.
The parents enter the tomb.
LADY CAPULET
Our daughter bleeds! But she is newly buried!
MONTAGUE
Oh, my son! Where are your manners?
You beat your father to the grave!
Mothers lay by their children. Fathers exit the tomb.
CAPULET
Who can explain this sad and strange scene?
FRIAR LAWRENCE
Here I stand. You may quesBon me.
M. Greene © 2014
May only be copied for single classroom use. 49
PRINCE
Then say at once what you do know of this.
FRIAR LAWRENCE.
Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet.
And she, there dead, was Romeo’s faithful wife.
I married them in secret. But aier Tybalt’s death,
Romeo was banished. For him, not Tybalt, Juliet cried.
And then there was to be a marriage.
Juliet did come to me to rid her of it.
I gave her a sleeping poBon which gave
her the look of death. MeanBme I wrote to Romeo,
to come and rescue her from her false grave.
But, alas, the le\er never was delivered.
BALTHASAR
I brought my master news of Juliet’s death.
He, nor I, knew not of such a plot.
He, giving me this le\er for his father, then returned to Verona.
PRINCE
Give me the le\er. I will look on it.
BALTHASAR hands PRINCE the le\er.
PRINCE
This le\er makes good of the friar’s words.
And here he writes that he would buy poison,
and come to die and lie with Juliet.
PRINCE hands the le\er to MONTAGUE.
Oh you enemies! Capulet! Montague!
See what comes of your hate?
Heaven found a way to kill your joys with love!
MONTAGUE and CAPULET look at each other.
CAPULET
Oh, brother Montague, give me your hand.
On my daughter’s life, I am sorry. Accept it, and I’ll ask nothing more.
50 MONTAGUE shakes his hand.
M. Greene © 2014
May only be copied for single classroom use.
MONTAGUE
But I can give you more.
I will raise a statue pure in gold to honor that of faithful Juliet.
MONTAGUE and CAPULET embrace.
PRINCE steps forward to speak to all.
PRINCE
A gloomy kind of peace this morning brings,
The sun, full of sorrow, shows not his head.
Go hence, and talk more of these sad things.
Some shall be pardoned, and some punishéd.
For never was a story more full of woe
than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
Curtain closes.
CURTAIN CALL
THE END
M. Greene © 2014
May only be copied for single classroom use. 51