Romeo and Juliet
Drama
By William Shakespeare
Adapted by Dermot Flanagan
Summary:
Romeo and Juliet is the story of a short relationship, and early death of two
lovers from fighting Italian families, the Montague’s and the Capulets. This
tragedy takes place in the 1400s in Verona, Italy
Characters:
Narrator
Romeo
Juliet
Mercutio
Benvolio
Tybalt
Nurse
Friar Laurence
Prince of Verona
–
Servant
-
Scene 1
Narrator: Romeo, the only son of Montague, walked the streets of Verona, with
Benvolio. Earlier, the prince had just broken up yet another fight between his
family and the Capulets.
Prince: STOP FIGHTING NOW! Capulets and Montagues go home!
Narrator: Romeo was not thinking about the families fighting, but about
Rosaline, a girl who did not return his love.
Romeo: I don’t care about the fight. I only care for Rosaline. Why doesn’t she
love me?
Benvolio: Don’t worry Romeo, there are more girls in Verona!
Romeo: But I love Rosaline.
Scene 2
Servant: Could you please read the list of people invited to the party of the
Capulets. I can´t read.
Benvolio: Our enemies are having a party.
Narrator: Benvolio got an idea to visit the home of the Capulet’s that evening.
Benvolio: I’ve got an idea. Let’s gate crash the party!
Servant: Please don´t. I will get in trouble.
(Romeo and Benvolio laugh)
Scene 3
Narrator: Romeo, Benvolio and Romeo’s best friend, Mercuitio, stood outside
Capulet’s house before the party. They wore masks to hide their faces.
Romeo: Is this a good idea boys’?’
Benvolio and Mercutio: YES!!
Benvolio: Let´s Party!!!!
Mercutio: I don´t care if they are Capulets. I am going to have FUN!
Scene 4
Narrator: The first person that Romeo noticed at the party was the Capulet’s
beautiful daughter, Juliet.
Romeo: WOW! Look at her. She’s so pretty!
Benvolio: Yeah, she’s really nice.
Mercutio: Not my type guys!
Servant: Who would like some food, or a drink?
Narrator: He did not know that she was a Capulet. When Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin
heard Romeo’s talk, he recognised a Montague’s voice. He wanted to fight
Romeo.
Tybalt: Are those Montagues.
Servant: I know nothing.
Tybalt: Leave the party now!
(the 3 boys leave quickly)
Servant: More food and drink for me, (drinks a lot of wine, and is acting dunk)
Scene 5
Narrator: Later, Romeo approached Juliet and they spoke. Romeo kissed her
hand.
Romeo: I can’t keep my eyes off you. I think you are beautiful!
Juliet: And I think you are very handsome, and charming.
(Enter the Nurse)
Nurse: Juliet, Juliet! Your mum wants you. Come now!
(Juliet leaves)
Romeo: Who is she?
Nurse: Her name is Juliet and she is a Capulet.
(Romeo is shocked)
Scene 6
Narrator: Later, Juliet asked the nurse who she had been talking to.
Juliet: Who was that man I was talking to?
Nurse: I don’t know!
Juliet: Can you find out?
Narrator: The Nurse went in search of this mystery man. On her return she told
Juliet
Nurse: He is Romeo and he is a Montague.
(Juliet is shocked)
Scene 7
Narrator: Romeo left the party but could not go home as his heart was filled with
thoughts of Juliet.
Romeo: I can’t stop thinking about her. She is so pretty!
Narrator: Moments later she appeared on the balcony.
Juliet: Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?
Romeo: Juliet, it is me, Romeo. I love you.
Juliet: I love you too. Do you want to marry me Romeo?
Romeo: More than anything in the whole world!
Juliet: Then call me tomorrow and I will come to you.
(Enter the Nurse)
Nurse: Juliet, come inside now!
Scene 8
Narrator: Romeo went to speak to Friar Laurence.
Romeo: Friar, can I have a secret marriage to Juliet? I love her.
Friar: It´s very dangerous, but I want your families´ to stop fighting, so, Yes, I
will marry you tomorrow.
Romeo: Remember Friar, it’s a secret so sssh! Nobody must know!
Narrator: Romeo sent word to Juliet. They married that afternoon in the
monastery.
Friar: Romeo, do you love Juliet more than you have ever loved any girl?
Romeo: Yes, I do. She has my heart.
Friar: Juliet, do you love Romeo more than you have ever loved any boy?
Juliet: Yes, I will be true to him forever.
Friar: Then, you are now husband and wife. May you bring happiness to both
your families.
Scene 9
Narrator: Juliet left the monastery and went home to wait for Romeo. On
Romeo’s way home he met Mercutio and Benvolio. They were arguing with
Tybalt.
Mercutio (to Tybalt): One on one, a scrap?
Tybalt: Go away. Romeo is the one I want.
Mercutio: Are you afraid of me?
Benvolio: Can we not have peace?
Tybalt (to Romeo): Peace, I hate the word, like I hate hell and all Montagues,
and you. Romeo, you are a villain.
Romeo: Soon you will know why I have to love you as a cousin.
Narrator: Romeo remembered that Tybalt was Juliet’s cousin. He refused to
return the insult.
Mercutio: (takes out his sword.) Romeo, if you are afraid, I will fight him
Crowd (Everyone chants): Fight, fight, fight!!
(Tybalt draws his sword and kills Mercutio.)
Mercutio: Arrrgh! A curse on both your houses.
Romeo: No, Mercutio, don´t die!!
(In anger and sadness, Romeo pulled his sword and killed Tybalt.)
Tybalt: Help me, I'm dying!
Narrator: Later, the Prince heard about the fight. He knew who killed Tybalt.
Prince: Romeo did this! He is banished from Verona! He can never come back.
Scene 10
Narrator: Juliet was told that Tybalt was dead and that Romeo had been
banished for her cousin’s death. Juliet was confused, and sad.
Juliet (cries): Why did he kill my cousin? I might never see my darling Romeo
again! I will ask my Nurse to bring him a message.
Scene 11
Narrator: Romeo was hiding in the church.
Nurse: Romeo, Juliet needs to see you.
Friar: Romeo, you must see Juliet. Be careful and leave by daylight. You can
hide in a town called Mantua.
Romeo: I will go now.
Nurse: I can help you.
Scene 12
Narrator: So Romeo quietly went to Juliet´s house
Romeo: My sweetheart, I will always think about you, no matter what.
Juliet: Let me go with you.
Romeo: Now, you must wait here, but we will be together soon.
Juliet: Goodbye, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Narrator: When Juliet’s mother and father found her crying, they thought she
was grieving over her cousin’s death. Meanwhile Juliet parents arranged for her
marriage to Paris
Juliet: No way! I’m not marrying him. I refuse!
Nurse: But you must.
Scene 13
(Enter The Friar)
Juliet: I can’t stand it! I will kill myself if I have to marry Paris.
Friar: Say you will marry Paris. Drink the potion before the wedding and you will
sleep for 42 hours. People will think you are dead.
Juliet: Ok, promise Romeo will be there when I wake up.
Friar: I will send a message to Romeo, and tell him our plan. He will be there,
because he loves you.
(The Friar leaves, and Juliet takes the poison)
Scene 14
Paris: Juliet, where are you? We will get married today.
Nurse: I don´t know where she is! Look, it is Juliet! She is dead…..
Servant: Oh no! I will call the police.
Paris: She is so beautiful, and now she is gone forever.
Scene 15
Narrator: Friar Laurence had written to Romeo to tell him about the secret plan,
but the letter never reached him. Romeo heard of Juliet’s death, so he bought a
bottle of poison.
Romeo: Oh no, no, my love is dead. Is this real? I must return to see her for
myself.
Benvolio: No, don´t go! You cannot return.
Romeo: But I have to see her.
Scene 16
Narrator: Romeo found Juliet lying cold in the tomb. He drank the poison, gave
her one last kiss and died. Upon waking Juliet found Romeo dead.
Juliet (screams): Oh no! My love is dead!
(She picks up Romeo) Selfish! You have no more poison for me?
(She takes Romeo´s dagger and kills herself.)
Scene 17
Narrator: When Romeo and Juliet were found dead, the Friar told everyone
what had happened.
Friar: Romeo and Juliet were so in love. They married in secret. They knew you
would stop them. Your fighting made them do what they did.
Prince: We must all learn from this. The two families must make peace, and
learn from the death of Romeo and Juliet.
Nurse: May they rest in together in peace.
The End