Act 3 summaries

Scene 1: A public place.

Tybalt meets Benvolio, Mercutio, and Romeo in the streets of Verona. He still wants to fight Romeo, but Romeo refuses because he now considers Tybalt family. He does not say so directly, however, since the wedding is still a secret. Mercutio, who thinks Romeo is acting in a cowardly way, fights Tybalt instead but is tragically killed. Romeo then kills Tybalt in revenge and escapes.

Prince Escalus arrives to restore order once again, along with the Capulet and Montague parents. The Prince banishes Romeo from Verona for breaking the fragile peace between the two families.

Scene 2: Capulet’s orchard.

Juliet is in the orchard, anxious for the night to come so she can have her wedding night, although she worries about it, too.

The Nurse arrives to inform her that Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, has been killed and Romeo banished. Juliet is caught between family loyalty and despai...