Romeo and Juliet opens with "fair Verona", because of two feuding families, the Capulets and the Montagues.  The quarrel stop with the arrival of Prince Escalus, Prince of Verona.  Prince Escalus warns the Capulets and Montagues that all violence must stop under penalty of death.  However, the lovesick Romeo, a Montague, is distracted from the feud by his love with a girl named Rosaline, whom his friends, Benvolio and Mercuto tease him.  When they discover that the Capulet has arranged a party to introduce his daughter, Juliet, to the Prince's cousin, Paris, the three young men and other maskers decide to crash the ball in hope of seeing Rosaline and other maidens. 
    When Romeo sees Juliet at the party he forgets Rosaline, saying "Did my heart love till now?  Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw beauty till this night[Romeo, Act I Scene v]".  Juliet also falls in love with Romeo at first sight.  Later, Romeo sneaks into the garden below Juliet's window and overhears her confess about her love for him.  They decided to marry secretly the next day.  Friar Lawrence agreed to perform the ceremony hoping that their marriage will end the feuding.  However, after the ceremony Romeo finds his friend, Mercuto, in a fight with Juliet's cousin Tybalt.  Mercutio is killed and in revenge Romeo kills Tybalt and is banished from Verona.

    Unaware of his daughter's secret marriage, Capulet continues to make plans for Juliets wedding to Paris the next day.  Juliet goes to the Friar for help and is given a sleeping potion that will make her appear dead.  Friar Lawrence tells her that he will send a word of this plan to Romeo.  So that Romeo will rescue Juliet to Mantua, when the potion wears off.  However, Romeo never receives the Friar's message in time.  Upon hearing Juliet's "death", Romeo goes to Juliet's tomb, drinks a real poison, and dies.  At that moment the potion the potion wears off and Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead.  Realizing what has happened, Juliet takes Romeo's dagger, stabs herself, and dies.