Changes

==Synopsis==

==Synopsis==

[[Image:Gte56.jpg|right|thumb|Romeo and Juliet by Ford Madox Brown]]

[[Image:Gte56.jpg|right|thumb|Romeo and Juliet by Ford Madox Brown]]

Following a brief prologue, the play opens with a brawl in the streets of Verona between members of the households of Montague and Capulet, which must eventually be stopped by the Prince. He scolds the warring patriarchs and the townspeople who have joined the fray, telling them not to fight among themselves. Romeo Montague then speaks to his friend Benvolio, telling how he is desperately in love with a woman, Rosaline, who has "sworn that she will still (always) live chaste" and therefore have nothing to do with him. In the next scene, Juliet's father, Old Capulet, talks to a young man named Paris who hopes to marry Juliet. Old Capulet is enthusiastic about this match, but considers Juliet too young to marry at the moment; he tells Paris to wait a few more years, then gives instructions to a servant regarding a banquet that will be held that night. Benvolio and Romeo encounter the servant and are told about the banquet, and conspire to attend it in disguise (as Rosaline will be there, and Benvolio hopes to distract Romeo from his unrequited love by showing him a bevy of much more beautiful women).  

Following a brief prologue, the play opens with a brawl in the streets of [[Verona]] between members of the households of Montague and Capulet, which must eventually be stopped by the Prince. He scolds the warring patriarchs and the townspeople who have joined the fray, telling them not to fight among themselves. Romeo Montague then speaks to his friend Benvolio, telling how he is desperately in love with a woman, Rosaline, who has "sworn that she will still (always) live chaste" and therefore have nothing to do with him. In the next scene, Juliet's father, Old Capulet, talks to a young man named Paris who hopes to marry Juliet. Old Capulet is enthusiastic about this match, but considers Juliet too young to marry at the moment; he tells Paris to wait a few more years, then gives instructions to a servant regarding a banquet that will be held that night. Benvolio and Romeo encounter the servant and are told about the banquet, and conspire to attend it in disguise (as Rosaline will be there, and Benvolio hopes to distract Romeo from his unrequited love by showing him a bevy of much more beautiful women).  

At the Capulet house, Lady Capulet informs her daughter of Paris's intentions, and she and Juliet's Nurse speak highly of Paris. The banquet begins, and Romeo and his friends arrive in disguise to avoid recognition. Tybalt notices their presence and attempts to have them thrown out, but Old Capulet notices Romeo's noble bearing and allows him to stay. Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time, dance together, and speak to each other in highly metaphorical and poetic language. After Romeo leaves, Juliet asks the Nurse who he is and is devastated to learn that he is "the only son of [her] great enemy" Montague. She professes to have fallen in love with him at first sight.

At the Capulet house, Lady Capulet informs her daughter of Paris's intentions, and she and Juliet's Nurse speak highly of Paris. The banquet begins, and Romeo and his friends arrive in disguise to avoid recognition. Tybalt notices their presence and attempts to have them thrown out, but Old Capulet notices Romeo's noble bearing and allows him to stay. Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time, dance together, and speak to each other in highly metaphorical and poetic language. After Romeo leaves, Juliet asks the Nurse who he is and is devastated to learn that he is "the only son of [her] great enemy" Montague. She professes to have fallen in love with him at first sight.