This unrequited love is the cause of Romeo's depression. When Benvolio asks Romeo about the source of his gloom, Romeo explains that he is pining for a woman named Rosaline, who plans to remain chaste for the rest of her life. When a somber Romeo finally appears, the Montagues ask Benvolio to determine the cause of his melancholy, after which they depart. The family asks Benvolio where Romeo is, and he tells them that the boy has been in a strange mood lately. The Montagues and Benvolio remain on stage. He personally accompanies the Capulets home. The Prince then orders everyone to return home and cease hostilities at the risk of great punishment. The Prince chides the Montagues and the Capulets for their mutual aggression, which he believes is making the streets of Verona unsafe. It turns out that the Citizens of the Watch have spread word of the street fight, and Prince Escalus arrives before anyone is killed. However, Lady Capulet restrains him, even after Lord Montague emerges ready to fight. Lord Capulet – the patriarch of the family – arrives at the battle, and demands a sword so that he might join in. Upon seeing his rival, Benvolio, Tybalt also draws his sword, reigniting the altercation. Then, Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, walks onto the street. Drawing his sword, he commands them to stop. Insulted, Abram confronts Sampson and a fight begins.īenvolio, Romeo's cousin, arrives to discover the fight in progress.

When the Montague servants – Abram and Balthasar – arrive, Sampson bites his thumb at them (which is rude but not illegal). They lament that the law prohibits fighting, and wonder how to start a battle legally.

They banter, using sexual innuendo and raunchy puns to joke about women, and speak with animosity about the Montagues. Two Capulet servants – Sampson and Gregory – loiter on the street, waiting for some Montague servants to pass. Only after the suicides will the families decide to end their feud. These lovers are Juliet Capulet and Romeo Montague. They explain how two families in Verona – the Capulets and the Montagues - have reignited an ancient feud, and how two lovers, one from each family, will commit suicide after becoming entangled in this conflict.

The chorus introduces the play and establishes the plot that will unfold.

Romeo and juliet act 1 scene 1 script