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LoThe Most Excellent and Lamentablve Tragedy of Rome eo and Juliet By William Shakespeare • Adapted by Bryon Cahill • Illustrations by Craig Phillips PROLOGUE SCENE 1 Characters Two households, both alike Narrator 1: In Verona, Italy, (main characters in green ) in dignity, Sampson and Gregory Capulet are Prologue reader In fair Verona, where we lay taking a stroll. They are armed with our scene, swords and looking for a fight. Narrators 1, 2, 3 From ancient grudge break to Sampson Capulet: I hate all Sampson Capulet new mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil Montagues and would gladly strike Gregory Capulet hands unclean. them down like dogs! Abraham Montague From forth the fatal loins of Gregory Capulet: The quarrel is Tybalt Capulet , Juliet’s cousin these two foes between our masters and us their A pair of star-cross’d lovers take men. Benvolio Montague, Romeo’s their life; Narrator 2: Abraham and Balthasar cousin Whole misadventured piteous Montague can be seen coming Prince, the prince of overthrows Doth with their death bury their toward them. Verona, Italy parents’ strife. Gregory: Well, here’s your chance Romeo Montague The fearful passage of their for a fight. Draw your sword! death-mark’d love, Juliet Capulet Narrator 3: Gregory and Sampson And the continuance of their unsheathe their swords. Nurse, Juliet’s nurse parents’ rage, Lady Capulet, Juliet’s mother Which, but their children’s end, Sampson: Let’s make sure we have nought could remove, the law on our side. Let them begin Mercutio, Romeo’s friend and Is now the two hours’ traffic the quarrel. I will draw them into it the prince’s kinsman of our stage; by biting my thumb at them. They Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father The which if you with patient won’t be able to ignore the insult. ears attend Friar Laurence, a priest Narr 1: Abraham sees Sampson What here shall miss, our toil bite his thumb as he walks by. Lord Montague, Romeo’s father shall strive to mend.

4 READ February 9, 2007 Abraham Montague: Do you bite Benvolio: Tell me … who is it that Juliet Capulet: How now! SCENE 4 you love? Who calls? your thumb at us, sir? Narr 2: Romeo, Benvolio, and their Sampson: I do bite my thumb, sir. Romeo: It matters not, for she will Nurse: Your mother. good friend Mercutio stand on a not have my love. And I live dead Abraham: Do you bite your thumb Juliet: Madam, I am here. What is street outside the house as I live to tell it now. at us, sir? your will? of Capulet. Benvolio: Forget her, Romeo. Romeo: I dreamed a dream tonight. Sampson: No, sir, I do not bite Lady Capulet: Tell me, daughter my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my Romeo: O teach me how I should Juliet, how do you feel about Mercutio: And so did I. forget to think. thumb, sir. marriage? Romeo: Well, what was yours? Gregory: Benvolio: By giving your eyes Do you quarrel, sir? Juliet: It is an honor that I dream Mercutio: That dreamers often lie. Abraham: Quarrel, sir! No, sir. freedom and seeking out other not of. beauties. Romeo: In bed asleep, while they Sampson: If you do, sir, I will fight Lady Capulet: Well, think of do dream things true. Romeo: He that is struck blind marriage now. Ladies of esteem you. I am as good a man as you. Narr 3: Mercutio rambles on about cannot forget that precious treasure younger than you, here in Verona, Abraham: No better? dreams. At last, Romeo stops him. of his lost love. Farewell, Benvolio, are already mothers. I was your thou cannot teach me to forget. Narr 2: Sampson considers this mother at your age now. Juliet, the Romeo: Peace, peace, Mercutio, before answering. Narr 3: Romeo leaves sadly as valiant Paris seeks you for his love. peace! You speak of nothing. Sampson: Yes, better, sir. Benvolio watches him go. Mercutio: True, I talk of dreams, Abraham: You lie! which are the children of a lazy SCENE 2 ‘He that is struck brain. They are fantasies, nothing Narr 3: The four men engage in more. swordplay and fight in the street. Narr 1: The next day, Romeo and blind cannot Benvolio hear about a masquerade Benvolio: Come now. Let us put on Narr 1: Benvolio Montague comes ball that is to be held at the house forget that our masks and join the party. rushing in and breaks up the fight. of Capulet. Because the Capulets Romeo: I fear that fate hangs in the Narr 2: Tybalt Capulet enters and are the Montagues’ sworn enemies, precious treasure stars tonight. But let that fate steer challenges Benvolio. Benvolio persuades Romeo to crash of his lost love.’ my course and direct my sail! Tybalt Capulet: Turn thee, the party. Narr 1: They put on their masks Benvolio, and look upon thy death. Benvolio: With all the admired Nurse: Such a man, my lady! and head up the path to the house beauties of Verona, surely one or Benvolio Montague: I have no Lady Capulet: Verona’s summer of their enemy. two will catch your eye and make quarrel here. I do but keep the hath not such a flower. What say you forget about your lost love. By peace: Put up thy sword. you, Juliet? Can you love the the end of the evening, you will SCENE 5 Tybalt: You talk of peace! I hate the gentleman? He will be attending begin to look back on her as a crow Narr 2: As Romeo enters the word, just as I hate hell, all our party this very night, and I instead of a swan. Capulets’ house, his eye falls upon Montagues, and thee! would like you to engage him with Juliet. In an instant, he completely Romeo: I will go with you. But I do your beauty. Narr 3: Tybalt attacks Benvolio, for the disturbance of the peace! Romeo: Out of it, I’m afraid. not expect to rejoice. forgets the pain of his lost love. and once again swords are clashing Juliet: I’ll give him a look and see Narr 2: Everyone goes a separate Benvolio: I weep for thy good Romeo: (to himself) Did my heart in the street. More and more SCENE 3 whether I like him. Capulets, Montagues, and others way, for now. Benvolio lingers as he heart’s oppression, cousin. love till now? For I never saw true Narr 3: become involved, and the violence sees his cousin Romeo walking Romeo: Love is a smoke raised Narr 2: In the house of Capulet, A servant enters and beauty till this night. toward him. announces that the guests have rapidly escalates. with the fume of sighs. What else Lady Capulet asks her daughter’s Narr 3: Tybalt is standing close to nurse to call the girl. The nurse begun to arrive. Lady Capulet Narr 1: The prince of Verona is Benvolio: Good-morrow, cousin. is love but a madness most Romeo and hears his voice. He is does so, and Juliet enters. leaves to attend to them. called to the scene, and upon his Romeo Montague: Is the day so discreet? enraged that a Montague would arrival, the massive fight is finally young? Ay me! The sad hours seem Benvolio: I will walk you home, fair vocab Nurse: Go, girl, seek happy nights crash the party. broken up. long. cousin. to happy days. FUME: vapor, smoke Tybalt: Now, by the stock and Prince: Narr 1: Juliet follows after her If ever you disturb our Benvolio: What sadness lengthens Romeo: I have lost myself. I am not ESTEEM : favorable opinion honor of my kin, I shall strike him streets again, your lives shall pay Romeo’s hours? Art thou in love? here. This is not Romeo. mother. dead. I hold it not a sin.

6 READ February 9, 2007 February 9, 2007 READ 7 Narr 1: Lord Capulet, the master Romeo: Have I given you my sin? Narr 2: Juliet appears in a window of the house, comes upon Tybalt Well, then, give me my sin again. high above the orchard. Romeo and stays his hand. Narr 2: He kisses her again. The looks on her lovingly as he speaks Tybalt: Uncle, this is a Montague, nurse calls for Juliet. softly to himself. our foe. He is a villain that has Nurse: Madam, your mother craves Romeo: But, soft! What light come here to spite us! a word with you. through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Lord Capulet: Leave it alone, Narr 3: Juliet hurries away and Arise, fair sun, and kill the jealous gentle Tybalt. He does not look as leaves Romeo with her nurse. if he means us any harm on this moon who is sick with grief, that night. In fact, he bears himself Romeo: Her mother? Who is her Juliet is a maid far more fair than like a gentleman. And I will not mother? she. O it is my lady! It is my love! have quarreling in my house! Nurse: Her mother is the lady of Narr 3: Juliet speaks to the wind, Respect me! the house. but Romeo cannot hear what she Tybalt: I’ll not endure him. Romeo: Is she a Capulet? Oh no! says. Capulet: I say that he shall be Narr 1: Benvolio finds Romeo and Romeo: She speaks, yet she says endured! Am I the master here, steals him away from the house. nothing? I am not bold enough to or are you? If you cannot endure answer her. She speaks not to me him, then leave! You’ll not make ‘O Romeo, but to the fairest stars in all the a mutiny among my guests! heavens. Those stars that twinkle in her eyes and yet the brightness Tybalt: It is a shame, Uncle. Romeo! of her cheek puts those same stars Narr 2: Tybalt leaves with the Wherefore art to shame. thought that he will repay Romeo Narr 1: Juliet lays her cheek upon at a later time for this intrusion. thou Romeo? her palm. Narr 3: Romeo, having heard Deny thy father Romeo: O that I were a glove upon none of this conversation, that hand that I might touch that approaches Juliet cautiously. He and refuse cheek! follows her to a secluded corner and dares to speak. thy name.’ Juliet: Ay me! Romeo: If I offend you with my Romeo: She speaks! O speak again, Narr 2: The nurse finds Juliet and unworthy hand, my lips stand bright angel! informs her that Romeo is ready, as two blushing pilgrims, a Montague. Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo! to smooth that rough touch with Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny Juliet: My only love sprung from a tender kiss. thy father and refuse thy name. Or, my only hate! This information Juliet: Good pilgrim, you do if thou will not, swear thy love, and comes too late, for my heart is wrong your hand too much. Saints I’ll no longer be a Capulet. bound to him. O what an extraordi - have hands that pilgrims’ hands nary love is in me, that I must love Romeo: Shall I hear more, or shall do touch. a loathed enemy. I speak to this? Romeo: Do saints not have lips? Narr 3: All the other guests begin Juliet: ’Tis but thy name that is my Juliet: Ay, pilgrim, lips that they to leave as the festivities wind enemy. It is not hand nor foot nor must use in prayer. down. Juliet retreats to her room. arm nor face. O if only you had Romeo: O then, dear saint, let lips some other name! But what’s in a do what hands do. SCENE 6 name? That which we call a rose by Narr 1: Romeo kisses her. Narr 1: Benvolio and Mercutio vocab leave the Capulet grounds, but Juliet: My lips have taken WHEREFORE: why; for what your sins. Romeo lingers in the orchard.

8 READ February 9, 2007 any other name would smell as Narr 2: The nurse calls for Juliet. Narr 2: Juliet disappears from the Narr 1: Juliet’s nurse returns to her advances on Tybalt. Tybalt draws through with his sword. and tells her the good news. In the his sword as well. sweet. Juliet: I hear some noise within, window once more, only to return Narr 3: Tybalt falls to the ground afternoon, Juliet goes to Friar Narr 2: Romeo now speaks louder dear love. Sweet Montague, be true. again. Narr 3: Mercutio and Tybalt fight and dies. Laurence’s cell, and there she is in the street. Romeo tries to break so Juliet can hear. Stay a little longer, and I will return. Juliet: Romeo! Benvolio: Romeo, away, be gone! married to her Romeo. it up, stepping between them. Romeo: I take thee at thy word. Narr 3: Juliet disappears from the Romeo: My dear? The citizens are up, and Tybalt is Tybalt stabs Mercutio underneath From now on, I never will be window for a moment. She returns slain. Stand not amazed; the prince Juliet: I have forgot why I did call SCENE 8 Romeo’s arm. Romeo. quickly. will doom thee death if he catches thee back. Narr 2: Mercutio and Benvolio are Narr 3: Juliet is startled by his Mercutio: I am hurt. A plague on you here. Be gone, away! Romeo: Let me stand here till thou relaxing in a public place when voice. both your houses! remember it. Tybalt and his men arrive, looking Romeo: O I am fortune’s fool! Romeo: My name, dear saint, is for trouble. Narr 1: Tybalt and his men Juliet: Good night, good night! Narr 1: Romeo flees the scene, hateful to myself because it is an run away. Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I Narr 3: Benvolio attempts to keep leaving Benvolio to stand over the enemy to thee. If I saw it written, I Benvolio: What, art thou hurt? shall say good night till it be the peace. bodies of Tybalt and Mercutio. would tear the word. tomorrow. Benvolio: Gentlemen, we should Mercutio: Ay, ay, a scratch, ’tis just Narr 2: The prince learns of what Juliet: My ears have not yet drunk a scratch. Romeo: Sleep dwell upon thine withdraw to some private place to has happened and banishes Romeo a hundred words, yet I know the eyes, peace in thy breast! Would I settle our grievances. All eyes Romeo: Courage, man; the hurt from Verona. sound. Art thou not Romeo and a were sleep and peace, so sweet to gaze on us here. cannot be much. Montague? rest! Mercutio: Men’s eyes were made Mercutio: No. The hurt is not as SCENE 9 Romeo: Neither, fair saint, if either to look, and let them gaze. I will deep as a well or as wide as a Narr 3: Romeo hears of the news thee dislike. SCENE 7 not budge for man’s pleasure. church door. But ask for me from Friar Laurence in his cell. Juliet: You should leave now before tomorrow, and you will find me Narr 3: In the morning, Romeo Narr 1: Tybalt sees Romeo heading Banishment is worse than death my kinsmen find you here and kill a grave man. goes to see Friar Laurence. Romeo toward them. When he gets close in Romeo’s mind, for he will never you. admits to his love for Juliet and enough, Tybalt addresses him Narr 2: Mercutio falls to the again be allowed to look upon his Romeo: I have night’s cloak to hide asks the friar to marry them. rudely. ground, bleeding. love or kiss her lips. me from their sight. And if you do Narr 1: Meanwhile, Mercutio and Tybalt: Romeo, the hate I bear thee Mercutio: A plague on both your Narr 1: Friar Laurence consoles not love me, let them find me. For Benvolio learn that Tybalt has sent cannot be described better than houses! Why the devil did you Romeo and asks him to travel to my life would be better ended by a letter to the house of Montague. this—thou art a villain. come between us, Romeo? I was Mantua while the friar attempts to their hate than wanting for your win the prince’s favor. Then Romeo It is a challenge to fight Romeo and Romeo: Tybalt, I have much reason hurt under your arm. love. will be allowed to return to Verona ‘Parting is such undo the insult that occurred the to love thee, and this excuses your Romeo: I was only trying to break and live happily with Juliet, the Juliet: O gentle Romeo, if you do night before at Tybalt’s uncle’s rage. I am not a villain and there - up the fight. love me, pronounce it faithfully. sweet sorrow, house. fore, farewell. I see you do not friar says. Mercutio: A plague on both your know me at all. Romeo: Lady, by yonder blessed that I shall say Narr 2: When Romeo arrives, he houses! They have made worms’ Narr 2: Meanwhile, Lord Capulet moon I swear … tells of his newly found love. Tybalt: Boy, this shall not excuse meat of me. demands that his daughter Juliet Mercutio makes fun of him for his Juliet: O swear not by the incon - good night till it the injuries you have done to me. marry the noble gentleman Paris ever-changing heart. Narr 3: Mercutio dies in the street. stant moon that changes monthly Turn and draw your sword! in just a few days’ time. This be tomorrow.’ Narr 1: Tybalt runs back to the news, coming immediately after in her circled orb. Narr 3: Juliet’s nurse comes upon Romeo: I never injured thee, others. Romeo is filled with rage the news of her cousin Tybalt’s the gentlemen in the street. After Tybalt. I love you more than you Romeo: What shall I swear by? Juliet: If you truly love me, send and vengeance. death and her husband Romeo’s Mercutio has a little fun at her can know. I hold the good name Juliet: Do not swear at all. Or word of marriage tomorrow. Let banishment, is too much to bear. expense, Romeo gives the nurse a Capulet as tender as I hold my Romeo: Now, Tybalt. While swear by thy gracious self, and I’ll me know where and when we message to deliver to his love. Juliet too runs away to Friar own. Be satisfied. Mercutio’s soul is but a little way believe thee. should perform the rites, and I will Laurence’s cell. Romeo: Tell Juliet to make some above our heads, we shall stay and follow thee throughout the world. Narr 2: Mercutio has heard Narr 1: Juliet changes her mind excuse and get herself to Friar keep him company. Either thou or Juliet: What am I to do, good Friar enough. He draws his sword and again. Narr 1: The nurse calls for Juliet Laurence’s cell this afternoon. I or both must go with him. Laurence? Come weep with me. Juliet: Well, do not swear at all. once again. There, she will be married. vocab Narr 2: Romeo draws his sword I am past hope, past cure, past and attacks Tybalt. They fight at help! Romeo is banished, and I This is all too rash, too sudden. Juliet: A thousand times good Nurse: This afternoon, sir? Well, GRIEVANCES : complaints Good night, good night! night! she shall be there. length before Romeo runs Tybalt long to die!

10 READ February 9, 2007 February 9, 2007 READ 11 Friar Laurence: There may be what an unkind hour is guilty I will kiss thy lips. Perhaps some some light yet. I believe I may of this sorrowful chance! poison still hangs there. about the have a plan. Narr 1: Juliet wakes. Narr 1: Juliet kisses Romeo. author T I Narr 3: Juliet listens carefully as Juliet: O comfortable friar! Where M Juliet: Thy lips are warm. E

Friar Laurence lays out his plan L

William I

is my lord? I do remember well F for her. Narr 2: There is a noise outside E where I should be, and there I P

Shakespeare I the tomb. C T

Friar Laurence: Drink this vial of am. Where is my Romeo? U was born in R E

potion tomorrow night. It will make Juliet: They come? Then I’ll be S / Friar Laurence: I hear some noise. Stratford-upon- M brief. A you appear to be dead, but you will Lady, come from that nest of death N Avon, England, S E

just be in a great sleep. I will send L

and unnatural sleep. A greater Narr 3: Juliet takes Romeo’s L

in April 1564. / a letter to Romeo, and he will be G power than we could have blade from his belt. E T

At 18, he married T there, in the tomb of the Capulets predicted has spoiled our intent. Y I Juliet: O happy dagger! This is Anne Hathaway. He moved to M

where you shall lie, awaiting you A

Come, come away. Thy husband G

thy sheath. There rust, and let me London, where he lived and thrived E to awake. You can live together in lies dead, and Paris too. Come, I’ll S die. happiness, away from Verona. bring you to a nunnery. I dare not as a writer and an actor. When Narr 1: Juliet takes the vial and stay any longer. Narr 1: She stabs herself in the bubonic plague hit England in thanks Friar Laurence for saving chest, falls on Romeo’s body, and 1592, the theaters closed for her life and her love. ‘Where be these dies. two years. During that time, Narr 2: The watchmen enter the Shakespeare concentrated on writ - SCENE 10 enemies? tomb and find the bodies of Paris ing his sonnets and longer poems. Narr 2: In the morning, Juliet is Capulet! and Romeo and Juliet. They Throughout his enduring and found in her bed. She appears to summon the prince and the prosperous career as a playwright, be dead. Montague! See Capulets and Montagues. Shakespeare penned tragedies, comedies, histories, and romances. Narr 3: There is much sorrow in Narr 3: All arrive at the tomb and what a plague His work has been called into the Capulet house. As the set their eyes on the tragic scene. Capulets grieve, they carry Juliet question, both for literary interpre - is laid upon Prince: Where be these enemies? to the family tomb. tation and genuine authorship, your hate!’ Capulet! Montague! See what a but Shakespeare has remained Narr 1: The word of Juliet’s death plague is laid upon your hate! a name synonymous with bril - spreads quickly. It reaches Juliet: Go, get thee hence, for That heaven finds means to kill liance, and his writings continue Romeo’s ears in Mantua before he I will not come. your joys with love. All are to educate and entertain readers receives Friar Laurence’s letter. punished! Narr 2: Friar Laurence leaves the and theatergoers everywhere. Narr 2: Romeo buys some poison tomb. Juliet finds her Romeo Capulet: O brother Montague, and then rushes to be by his dead on the ground. give me thy hand. love’s side at the Capulets’ tomb. Write About It Juliet: What’s here? A cup Lord Montague: But I can give Narr 3: Paris enters the tomb and closed in my true love’s hand? The Montagues and the Capulets thee more. For I will raise a statue sees Romeo. He thinks Romeo is Poison, I see, hath been his have been feuding so long that of your daughter Juliet in pure there to defile the tomb. They timeless end. they probably don’t remember fight. Paris dies. Romeo lays his gold. For all who come to Verona what started the conflict. Using Narr 2: Romeo kisses Juliet as he Narr 3: Juliet looks in the vial body in the tomb and then goes everlasting rest. Eyes, look your will know her name. what you know of the families, dies. and finds that all the poison has to look upon Juliet’s face. last! Arms, take your last embrace! Prince: The sun, for sorrow, will write a story that explains the And lips, seal with a righteous kiss been drunk. Romeo: O my love! My wife! Death Narr 3: Friar Laurence has learned not show his head. Go hence, to origin of their intense hatred for a dateless bargain to engrossing Juliet: O Romeo, hath thou left may have sucked the honey of thy that his letter never reached have more talk of these sad each other. E-mail us your stories death! Here’s to my love! no friendly drop to help me after? breath, but it has not scarred your Romeo. He fears a tragedy and things. Some shall be pardoned, at [email protected] , and Narr 1: Romeo drinks the poison. hurries to the Capulet tomb. beauty. Ah, dear Juliet, why art vocab and some punished. For never we’ll post our favorites on our thou yet so fair? Here, here will I Romeo: O the drugs are quick! Friar Laurence: Romeo! Romeo! was a story of more woe than this blog at www.readandwriting.com . remain. O here will I set up my Thus with a kiss, I die. O pale! Who else? Paris too? Ah, DEFILE: to make unclean of Juliet and her Romeo. h

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