Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet

(Adapted)

The Prologue EVERYONE TO READ CHORUS CHORUS: Two households both alike in dignity (In fair Verona where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new mutiny Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. From forth the fatal loins of these two foes, A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life: Scene 1 NARRATOR: The peace on the streets of Verona has been disturbed. Another fight has broken out between the Montagues and Capulets, two powerful families who have fought each other for as long as anyone can remember. VOICE: Down with the Capulets, down with the Montagues! ABRAHM: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? SAMPSON: I do bite my thumb, sir. VOICE 2: A plague on both your houses! (Enter BENVOLIO AND TYBALT) BENVOLIO: I do but keep the peace.

Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

TYBALT: Peace? Peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee. (Enter PRINCE) PRINCE: Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace! If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. On pain of death, all men depart. Scene 2 NARRATOR: Later that day, Romeo- a Montague- learns that there is to be a masquerade held at the House of Capulet. His best friend, Mercutio, suggests they go because Romeo has been so depressed over Rosaline who he loves, but she doesnt love him. Since everyone will be wearing masks, nobody would know if a Montague was there! VOICE: If you be not of the House of Montague, I pray come and crush a cup of wine. ROMEO: Forswear it, sight, for I neer saw true beauty till this night. JULIET: Go ask his name. NURSE: His name is Romeo, and a Montague, the only son of your great enemy. JULIET: My only love sprung from my only hate!

Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

Scene 3 NARRATOR: Romeo and Juliet decide to marry in secret. Friar Lawrence hopes that this will put an end to the fighting between the Montagues and Capulets. However, Tybalt- a fearsome and violent Capulet- knows Romeo went to the masquerade and confronts him. TYBALT: Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain. ROMEO: Villain am I none therefore farewell. (He walks away) MERCUTIO: O calm, dishonourable, vile submission! (TYBALT and MECUTIO fight. ROMEO tries to part them and MERCUTIO is wounded) MERCUTIO: I am hurt. A plague on both your houses! Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man. A plague on both your houses! They have made worms meat of me. (MERCUTIO dies) ROMEO: Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! (He attacks TYBALT and kills him) Scene 4 The next narration is to be performed in the style of a news bulletin.

Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

NARRATOR: Good evening. Shocking events on the streets today as another brawl has disturbed the peace. Romeo has been banished for the murder of Tybalt. Other news tonight: Juliet from the House of Capulet is to be married to Paris within the next two days. Preparations are under way. Now, over to our reporter outside the House of Capulet. REPORTER: Yes, preparations are under way despite the death of Tybalt. Seeing Juliet earlier today she appeared to look distressed and not like the happy bride-to-be at all. Back to the studio. NARRATOR: Juliet must marry Paris. Her whole family still do not know about her marriage to Romeo. Friar Lawrence has given her a potion to take. It will make her appear to have died in her sleep. The plan is for Friar Lawrence to take her out of the crypt once the potion wears off and reunite her with Romeo. However, Romeo does not receive a letter telling him of the plan. Instead, he hears Juliet has died. He buys some poison and heads to the crypt. Scene 5 ROMEO: Forgive me, cousin! Ah, dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? shall I believe That unsubstantial death is amorous, And that the lean abhorred monster keeps Thee here in dark to be his paramour? For fear of that, I still will stay with thee; And never from this palace of dim night

Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

Depart again: here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O, here Will I set up my everlasting rest, And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death! Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark! Here's to my love! (Romeo grabs the poison, takes a drink and dies)

JULIET: What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end: O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop To help me after? I will kiss thy lips; Haply some poison yet doth hang on them, To make die with a restorative. (Juliet grabs a dagger and stabs herself.)

Scene 6 (The audience see the Capulets and Montagues shaking hands).

Romeo and Juliet: Autumn Term 2011

NARRATOR: With the death of Romeo and Juliet, the Capulets and Montagues end the conflict that has gone on for so many painful years. EVERYONE SAY CHORUS: A glooming peace this morning with it brings. The sun for sorrow will not show his head. For never was there a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.