Verona Chronicles Summary Sheet
Verona Chronicles
A Scene-by-Scene Summary of Romeo and Juliet: Act I (WIDA Level 3)
The Prologue
Introduction
1. In the city of Verona, two rich families are fighting a long and violent war. 2. The narrator tells us that "one child from each side" will eventually fall in love. 3. This sad love story will end in tragedy because the two children are going to die. 4. Their deaths are the only way to "bring peace and end the fight" between the families. 5. Finally, the play asks the audience to be patient and watch the actors tell the story.
"Two rich and powerful families of Verona... re-start their feud between their houses, and once more, blood is shed."
Act I, Scene I
The Public Square
1. Servants from the Capulet house start a fight with Montague servants in the street. 2. Benvolio tries to stop the fighting, but Tybalt arrives and makes the violence even worse. 3. Prince Escalus stops the riot and warns that he will execute anyone who fights again. 4. Later, Benvolio finds Romeo, who is very sad and crying under some sycamore trees. 5. Romeo explains that he is depressed because he loves a woman who does not love him back.
"Your sword is out, but you talk of 'peace'? I hate that word as much as I hate hell, all Montagues and you!"
Act I, Scene II
A Street in Verona
1. Count Paris asks Lord Capulet if he can marry his daughter, Juliet. 2. Capulet says Juliet is "still very young" and must wait two more years before marriage. 3. He invites Paris to a big party to meet Juliet and other beautiful women. 4. A servant asks Romeo and Benvolio for help reading the guest list for the party. 5. Romeo decides to go to the party because he wants to see his love, Rosaline.
"My daughter is still very young. She's not even fourteen yet. Let's wait a couple more years before we start thinking if she's ready for marriage."
Act I, Scene III
Capulet's House
1. Lady Capulet and the Nurse want to talk to Juliet about getting married. 2. The Nurse tells a long, funny story about Juliet when she was a baby. 3. Lady Capulet says that the "honourable Paris wishes to marry" Juliet right now. 4. She tells Juliet to look at Paris at the party and see if she can love him. 5. Juliet agrees to look at him, but she says she will only do what her mother wants.
"I'll try to, if I like what I see. But I won't look too closely yet — only as close as your approval allows me to."
Act I, Scene IV
The Masked Walk
1. Romeo and his friends put on masks to go to the Capulet party. 2. Romeo is still very sad and says he is "too miserable to dance" with them. 3. Mercutio tells a wild story about "Queen Mab," a fairy who brings dreams to people. 4. Mercutio says that dreams are just nonsense and do not mean anything. 5. Romeo still has a "bad feeling" that something terrible will happen tonight at the feast.
"I fear that something's going to begin at this party tonight that will end my sad life before its time — in some awful way."
Act I, Scene V
The Feast
1. At the party, Romeo sees Juliet and says she is the most beautiful girl in the world. 2. Tybalt wants to kill Romeo, but Lord Capulet tells him to leave the young man alone. 3. Romeo and Juliet talk to each other and share a "tender kiss" for the first time. 4. The Nurse tells Juliet that her mother wants her, which stops their conversation. 5. Both lovers are shocked to learn that they are from enemy families that hate each other.
"The only man I love is the son of my only hate! I didn't know who he was, and now it's all too late!"
Key Vocabulary
Developing Language
Feud
A long and violent fight between families.
Tragedy
A very sad story that ends with death.
Favour
Liking or loving someone.
Miserable
Feeling extremely sad or unhappy.
Enemy
Someone who hates you or is against you.
Honour
A special privilege or high rank.
— Finis Actus Primus —
