Overview

Synopsis

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a love story for the ages. The Capulet and Montague households have been embroiled in a bloody fight for as long as anyone in Verona, Italy can remember. The death toll is mounting, and it seems that the best thing anyone can do is keep the two sides as far from each other as possible. But when young Romeo Montague crashes the Capulet ball, he falls head-over-heels in love with young Juliet Capulet – and she falls just as in love with him. What ensues is one of the most romantic and devastating love stories in the theatrical canon.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1595
Genres
Drama, Romance
Settings
Multiple Settings, Period
Time & Place
verona, italy - time unspecified
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, High School, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Early Teen, Late Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Friar Laurence

Lead

Male

Spoken

Romeo

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Juliet Capulet

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Nurse

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Lady Capulet

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Lord Capulet

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Prince Escalus

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Count Paris

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Mercutio

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Tybalt

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Benvolio

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Peter

Featured

Male

Spoken

Samson

Featured

Male

Spoken

Gregory

Featured

Male

Spoken

Chorus

Featured

Either Gender

Lord Montague

Featured

Male

Spoken

Lady Montague

Featured

Female

Spoken

Abraham

Featured

Male

Spoken

Balthasar

Featured

Male

Spoken

Friar John

Featured

Male

Spoken

Apothecary

Featured

Male

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    A poetic or formal farewell often used in classical and period drama to underscore emotion or finality.

    Anon' is an archaic English term meaning “soon” or “shortly.” It is often encountered in the dialogue of English Renaissance plays such as those by Shakespeare.

    A recurring character type or symbol representing universal patterns in storytelling, often used in classical and contemporary theatre.

    A poetic or dramatic listing of a person's attributes or characteristics, often used to praise or mock.

    To scold or rebuke, frequently appearing in English Renaissance drama.

    Relating to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, marked by flourishing English drama and playwrights like Shakespeare and Marlowe.

    Used in classical texts to describe beauty or fairness; also used in dialogue to suggest sincerity or justice.

    A large format publication of plays, including the First Folio of Shakespeare, significant to theatre history.

    An old-fashioned word meaning 'from this point forward,' used in dramatic texts. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.

    A poetic meter consisting of five iambs per line, widely used in English Renaissance drama by playwrights like Shakespeare.

    A servant or deceitful man, often used in Shakespearean plays as a term of insult or social rank. This archetype is common in comedic and villainous roles in English Renaissance drama, revealing class tensions and dramatic contrasts.

    A uniform worn by servants or soldiers, often used in historical plays to signify rank or allegiance. Theatrical livery helps establish period accuracy and character identity.

    A literary term describing lovers doomed by fate, made famous by Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'.

    A dramatic genre involving serious themes and the downfall of a protagonist, often evoking catharsis from the audience.

    An archaic term meaning 'from where,' frequently used in early English plays to indicate origin or direction.

    An old English word meaning 'why,' famously used in Shakespeare’s 'Romeo and Juliet' to express inquiry, not location.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher