Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Written approximately 1594–1596. Studied at KS3 and GCSE.
In Verona, two noble families — the Montagues and the Capulets — are locked in a bitter feud. Romeo Montague attends a Capulet party in disguise and falls instantly in love with Juliet Capulet. Juliet learns he is a Montague — a Montague and a Capulet are supposed to be enemies.
Romeo and Juliet meet secretly in the Capulet orchard (the balcony scene). They declare their love and agree to marry in secret. Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them, hoping it will end the feud. They marry that same day.
Romeo's friend Mercutio is killed by Juliet's cousin Tybalt. Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge. Romeo is banished from Verona. Juliet's parents arrange her marriage to Count Paris. Friar Lawrence gives Juliet a potion that will make her appear dead for 42 hours — she will wake in the Capulet tomb and Romeo will take her away to Mantua. He sends a message to Romeo explaining the plan.
The message does not reach Romeo in time. Romeo hears that Juliet is dead, buys poison and goes to the tomb. He kills Paris in the churchyard. Believing Juliet to be truly dead, he drinks the poison and dies. Juliet wakes to find Romeo dead. She kisses him (hoping the poison on his lips will kill her), then stabs herself with his dagger. The two families are finally reconciled over the bodies of their children.
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