Cover of Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

  • Free to read
  • 2 hours to read
  • 26 chapters
  • Reading level: 5th grade

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1591 and 1595. It tells the story of two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, Italy. When Romeo and Juliet meet at a ball and fall instantly in love, they marry in secret, hoping to unite their warring households. But family hatred, fatal duels, and tragic miscommunication set forces in motion that threaten to destroy their forbidden romance. This timeless tale explores the devastating cost of ancient grudges and the power of love.

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  • Vendetta
  • Youth
  • Verona (Italy)
  • Juliet (Fictitious character)
  • Romeo (Fictitious character)
  • Conflict of generations
  • Tragedies (Drama)

Read the opening

Act I: Scene I: Verona. A public place

Enter Sampson and Gregory (with swords and bucklers) of the house of Capulet.

Samp. Gregory, on my word, we'll not carry coals. Greg. No, for then we should be colliers. Samp. I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw. Greg. Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. Samp. I strike quickly, being moved. Greg. But thou art not quickly moved to strike. Samp. A dog of the house of Montague moves me. Greg. To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away. Samp. A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's. Greg. That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall. Samp. 'Tis true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall. Greg. The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. Samp. 'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids- I will cut off their heads. Greg. The heads of the maids? Samp. Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads. Take it in what sense thou wilt. Greg. They must take it in sense that feel it. Samp. Me they shall feel while I am able to stand; and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. Greg. 'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-John. Draw thy tool! Here comes two of the house of Montagues.

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Contents

Show all 26 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Act I: Scene I: Verona. A public place
  3. Scene II: A Street
  4. Scene III: Capulet's house
  5. Scene IV: A street
  6. Scene V: Capulet's house
  7. Prologue
  8. Act II: Scene I: A lane by the wall of Capulet's orchard
  9. Scene II: Capulet's orchard
  10. Scene III: Friar Laurence's cell
  11. Scene IV: A street
  12. Scene V: Capulet's orchard
  13. Scene VI: Friar Laurence's cell
  14. Act III: Scene I: A public place
  15. Scene II: Capulet's orchard
  16. Scene III: Friar Laurence's cell
  17. Scene IV: Capulet's house
  18. Scene V: Capulet's orchard
  19. Act IV: Scene I: Friar Laurence's cell
  20. Scene II: Capulet's house
  21. Scene III: Juliet's chamber
  22. Scene IV: Capulet's house
  23. Scene V: Juliet's chamber
  24. Act V: Scene I: Mantua. A street
  25. Scene II: Verona. Friar Laurence's cell
  26. Scene III: Verona. A churchyard; in it the monument of the Capulets

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About this edition

This free edition of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #1777, released 1999-06-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Plays/Films/Dramas, Classics of Literature, British Literature.

Other editions: eBook #1513 (most read), eBook #1112, eBook #2261, eBook #47960.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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