Romeo and Juliet · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

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Chapter 1
Prologue
Romeo and Juliet — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 2
Act I
Romeo and Juliet — Stage Lens: dramatic beats, line helps that follow your scroll, and stage picture. Read to understand, not to collect a closed thesis.
Chapter 3
Scene I
In a public place in Verona, servants of the Capulet and Montague houses start a brawl, which escalates into a full-scale street fight involving Tybalt, Benvolio, and eventually the heads of both families. Prince Escalus intervenes, decreeing that further disturbances will be punished by death. After the crowd disperses, Montague and Lady Montague discuss Romeo's melancholy with Benvolio, who later confronts Romeo about his lovesickness for Rosaline.
Chapter 4
Scene II
Capulet discusses the feud with Paris and agrees to consider his suit for Juliet, but insists she is too young. He invites Paris to a feast that night. Meanwhile, Romeo and Benvolio encounter a servant who cannot read the guest list; Romeo reads it and discovers Rosaline is invited. Benvolio urges Romeo to attend and compare Rosaline to other beauties, but Romeo insists no one can surpass her.
Chapter 5
Scene III
Lady Capulet and the Nurse discuss Juliet's age and readiness for marriage, then propose Paris as a suitor. Juliet agrees to consider him at the upcoming feast.