Two wealthy families of Verona, the Capulets and the Montagues... An old feud that cascaded down from generations... A feud that crossed all barriers. The hatred was so deep-rooted that even servants of the households were refrained from meeting each other. Cold war persisted, sometimes leading to gruesome bloodshed as a result of accidental rendezvous. Old lord Capulet had invited many fair ladies and noble guests to supper. All were welcomed as long as they weren't from the house of Montague. Also present was the beautiful Rosaline, beloved of Romeo, son to the old lord Montague. And when Romeo's friend Benvolio insisted, he went to the supper in a disguise to see his loved one.

Romeo was a sincere and passionate lover. But silently, he thought Rosaline never wanted his love. Benvolio insisted he attend the supper so that he would come across beauties and wish he had never loved Rosaline. Romeo was there with Benvolio and friend Mercutio. The host welcomed them and said that ladies who had their toes unplagued with corns would dance with them. As they danced, Romeo was suddenly struck with the exceeding beauty of a lady who danced there. She glowed like the first tender rays of the morning sun... like a rich jewel worn by a blackamoor.

He uttered praises aloud, unaware that he was being heard by Tybalt, a nephew of Lord Capulet, who recognized him immediately by his voice. Known for his temper, he raged like a fierce beast. Old uncle's words advised patience and Tybalt could do nothing more. And the entire Verona thought of Romeo as a virtuous and well-governed youth. Like a saintly youth, Romeo got himself engaged in conversation with the lady, but a brief stint later, she was whisked away by her mother.

Unmasking the Lover

So struck with her beauty was Romeo that he enquired about her and came to know that she was Juliet, the daughter and heir to the Lord Capulet. Trouble was to follow. He had loved the daughter of his worst enemy, but his love was helpless. Soon Juliet too found out the reality of her masked lover. She thought she loved a man whom she ought to hate. It was midnight; his friends were gone; Romeo longed for a glimpse of his beloved. He leaped the wall of an orchard, at the back of Juliet's house, when Juliet appeared above at a window. Her unparalleled charm shone brighter than the moon. Passion was in the air. All the while, she wished he was there, unaware of his presence.

She called upon her lover by name and swore to remain a Capulet no longer. Encouraged, Romeo would have spoken but he wanted to hear her; and the lady continued her passionate discourse with herself. Romeo couldn't resist and spoke up. Alarmed to hear a man's voice at first but glad to recognize Romeo's tone, Juliet warned him of the consequences of entering the Capulet house. A tense conversation followed with Juliet requesting for Romeo's departure lest he would be dead before her eyes and Romeo failing to do so. Romeo eagerly expressed his love to her as she blushed away in the blue night. There was no way Juliet could refuse a man who donned the beauty and nobility of a thousand men put together.

Romeo wanted an exchange of vows of love and she was cautious. She had already given him hers before he requested it. But she wanted the pleasure of saying it again. Her nurse called her, with whom she slept. At last they parted, wishing mutually sweet sleep and rest for that night. The day was breaking when they parted. Romeo was too occupied with thoughts of the damsel and turned his route to the monastery instead, in search of Lawrence. The latter immediately knew that the distemper of youthful affection had kept him waking. But he mistook Romeo's love to be Rosaline. When Romeo revealed his new passion for Juliet, and requested the assistance of the friar to marry them that day, the friar assented trying to reason that the matrimonial would lead to a blissful life between the Capulets and the Montagues. Lawrence was a friend to both the families.

with whom she slept. At last they parted, wishing mutually sweet sleep and rest for that night. The day was breaking when they parted. Romeo was too occupied with thoughts of the damsel and turned his route to the monastery instead, in search of Lawrence. The latter immediately knew that the distemper of youthful affection had kept him waking. But he mistook Romeo's love to be Rosaline. When Romeo revealed his new passion for Juliet, and requested the assistance of the friar to marry them that day, the friar assented trying to reason that the matrimonial would lead to a blissful life between the Capulets and the Montagues. Lawrence was a friend to both the families.

Quiet Wedding

He consented to join their hands in marriage. So there they were at the cell of friar Lawrence, where their hands were joined in holy marriage. The friar prayed for the heavens to smile upon that act. The ceremony was over and Juliet hastened home. Romeo promised to meet her at night in the orchard, where they met earlier. The wait seemed longer that day for the impatient twosome.

That day, at noon, Romeo's friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, faced a party of the Capulets led by Tybalt, as they walked on the streets of Verona. Tybalt had not forgotten a thing. He and Mercutio, who was as much an angry youth, got into a verbal duel. Romeo himself passed that way, when Tybalt turned to Romeo and gave him the disgraceful appellation of villain. Romeo wished no quarrel, not with Tybalt, whom Juliet liked. He tried to reason but Tybalt hated all Montagues, so he drew his weapon. Mercutio, unaware of Romeo's motive provoked Tybalt to battle him. Tybalt and Mercutio fought, till Mercutio fell... dead. Romeo was furious and slew Tybalt.