Our setting is Verona. Where the Montague and Capulet families and their households are in a state of permanent conflict which disturbs the peace of the city.
Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet a Capulet but when Romeo and his friends attend a party at Juliet’s house in disguise—they meet, fall in love and quickly decide that they want to be married.
Friar Lawrence secretly marries them, hoping that this might end the feud. Romeo and his companions almost immediately encounter Juliet’s cousin Tybalt, who challenges Romeo. When Romeo refuses to fight, Romeo’s friend Mercutio accepts the challenge and is killed. Full of anger and remorse, Romeo then kills Tybalt and in punishment is banished from Verona. He spends that night with Juliet and then leaves for Mantua.
Juliet’s father decides to force her into a marriage with Count Paris. Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence for help, and he gives her a potion that will make it appear as though she has died. At the same time, the friar will send Romeo word to return secretly to Verona so he can be at her family tomb when she awakes and the two can run away. But the plan goes awry, the message is never delivered, and Romeo hears only that Juliet is dead. Romeo returns to Verona and in the tomb, he kills himself. Juliet wakes, sees his body, and commits suicide. Their deaths bring the families to their senses and finally ends the feud.
