ACT 1
The prologue chants of a feud between the Montagues and Capulets in 14th Century Verona, and of the fate of the children of those two houses—Romeo and Juliette, the star-crossed lovers.
The curtain rises on a brilliant masked ball given by Count Capulet to celebrate the birthday of his daughter, Juliette. Tybalt, Juliette's cousin, and Paris, her betrothed, excitedly await her entrance. When Capulet appears and introduces his young daughter, guests praise her extraordinary beauty; Juliette responds by singing joyfully of the excitement of attending her first dance. Capulet tells everyone to be merry, then leads his guests to another room.
Several uninvited men appear, wearing masks; among them is Romeo, son of the rival house of Montague. Romeo fears misfortune because of a bad dream, but his lighthearted friend Mercutio mocks him, saying his worries are brought by Mab, queen of illusions, Romeo is still anxious, but when he sees Juliette, he falls deeply in love and forgets danger.
Juliette's nurse compliments her on her engagement to Paris but Juliette teases her, and sings of the joys of youth, the springtime of life. When the nurse leaves, Romeo approaches Juliette, gently expressing his feelings for her. Juliette shyly returns his love. Just as Romeo learns that Juliette is his enemy's daughter, Tybalt saunters in to take the young girl back to the party. Romeo hides, but Tybalt has recognized his voice, and he and Paris hunt for the intruder. When Tybalt finds Romeo, he challenges him with his sword, but Capulet returns, ordering the young men to cease fighting and his guests to go on with the party.
ACT 2
Later that night, hiding from his friends' jibes, Romeo stands alone in Capulet's moonlit garden. Looking up at the balcony, he imagines Juliette there, and compares her beauty to the sunrise. When she appears, he hides, and overhears her proclaim her love. Romeo reveals himself, and the two pledge their devotion.
Several retainers, led by Gregorio, come searching for a Montague page. The nurse sends them away, then leads Juliette to bed. Soon, though, Juliette slips out to Romeo, and she and Romeo decide to be married the next day.
ACT 3
In Friar Lawrence's cell, Romeo appears at daybreak, eager to speak of his ecstatic new love. Juliette enters with her nurse and the two lovers persuade the Friar to marry them, despite the feud between their families. After a tender wedding ceremony, the four join in a prayer for God's blessing.
Late the same day outside the Capulet palace, Stephano, Romeo's page, searches for his master and sings a taunting serenade. Gregorio and a group of Capulets storm out, swords drawn for an attack. Mercutio interrupts the fight, but Tybalt enters, and the two hot-tempered young men trade insults. A duel begins.
Romeo hurries in and tries to stop the fracas; seeking peace with his new in-laws, he refuses to fight when Tybalt challenges him. Tybalt continues insulting Romeo, and Mercutio defends his friend's honor. A fight ensues; Mercutio is mortally wounded. Dying, he curses both the Montagues and the Capulets. In despair and fury, Romeo fights Tybalt, killing him. Capulet enters, soon followed by the Prince of Verona, who banishes Romeo from the city. As he leaves, Romeo vows that even deathwill not keep him from Juliette.
ACT 4
That night, in Juliette's bedchamber, Romeo asks his wife's forgiveness and the two declare their never-ending love. Juliette pretends she hears thenightingale singing, not the lark, which heralds the morning, when Romeo must leave. Romeo bids her farewell. Shortly afterwards, Capulet enters with Friar Lawrence. Assuming his daughter's sorrow is for her cousin Tybalt, Capulet brings what he thinks is cheering news: Juliette is to be married to Paris that day. Distraught, Juliette turns to Friar Lawrence for help; the Friar gives her a sleeping potion which will make her appear dead; Romeo will come later to rescue her from her grave. Bravely, Juliette drinks from the flask. Capulet returns from greeting the wedding guests to find his daughter, apparently dead.
Romeo comes to Juliette's tomb; not knowing that she is merely asleep, he is grief-stricken, and drinks from a small flask of poison. Juliette awakens, and for a moment the two lovers anticipate a new life together. When Romeo falters, Juliette, unwilling to live without him, stabs herself. Thetwo young lovers cry out to God topardon them.