Romeo and Juliet

“For never was there a tale of more woe/Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” The last lines of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” perfectly sum up the story of the star-crossed young lovers. Perhaps the most approachable of the Bard’s plays, “Romeo and Juliet” is a masterpiece of hope, love, and sorrow. Included in this Reading Set are some of the most notable scenes of the play.

Romeo Meets Juliet

In this passage from Romeo and Juliet, Romeo first meets Juliet at a party held by her parents. Neither of them know who the other is; they are both the only children of feuding families. They are engaged in a flirtatious conversation. —————————————– Romeo. [To Juliet.] If I profane with…

The Friar’s Plan

This passage from Act IV, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet takes place in Friar Lawrence’s cell, or room. Juliet has come to the friar in a panic; her parents demand she marry Count Paris, but she is already secretly married to Romeo. Romeo, however, has been banished to Mantua…

The Prologue from Romeo and Juliet

[Enter Chorus.] Chor.Two households, both alike in dignity,   In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,   Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foes   A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows   Doth with…

Capulet’s Garden

Act II, Scene 2: The party at the Capulet house is over, and Romeo has left after meeting Juliet for the first time. He is avoiding his friends and has climbed into the Capulet’s garden. ————————- [Enter Romeo.] Romeo. He jests at scars that never felt a wound.- [Juliet appears…