Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet* is a timeless tale of love and tragedy set in Verona, where two young lovers from feuding families face insurmountable obstacles. This No Fear edition presents the original text alongside a modern translation, making it accessible for students and readers alike. Themes of love, fate, and conflict are explored through the passionate relationship between Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet. This edition is ideal for high school students studying literature or anyone interested in classic love stories. With clear annotations and explanations, readers can grasp the depth of Shakespeare's work while enjoying the story's emotional impact.

Key Points

  • Includes both original and modern text for easy understanding.
  • Explores themes of love, fate, and family conflict.
  • Ideal for high school literature students and casual readers.
  • Features character analyses and key plot points for deeper insights.
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No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -1-
Original Text Modern Text
Prologue
Enter CHORUS The CHORUS enters.
5
10
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,
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife.
The fearful passage of their death-marked love
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage—
The which, if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
CHORUS
In the beautiful city of Verona, where our story
takes place, a long-standing hatred between two
families erupts into new violence, and citizens
stain their hands with the blood of their fellow
citizens. Two unlucky children of these enemy
families become lovers and commit suicide. Their
unfortunate deaths put an end to their parents'
feud. For the next two hours, we will watch the
story of their doomed love and their parents'
anger, which nothing but the children’s deaths
could stop. If you listen to us patiently, we’ll make
up for everything we’ve left out in this prologue
onstage.
Exit The CHORUS exits.
Act 1, Scene 1
Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY of the house of
Capulet, with swords and bucklers
SAMPSON and GREGORY, servants of the
Capulet family, enter carrying swords and small
shields.
SAMPSON
Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals.
SAMPSON
Gregory, I swear, we can’t let them humiliate us.
We won’t take their garbage.
GREGORY
No, for then we should be colliers.
GREGORY
(teasing SAMPSON) No, because then we’d be
garbagemen.
SAMPSON
I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw.
SAMPSON
What I mean is, if they make us angry we’ll pull
out our swords.
GREGORY
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar.
GREGORY
Maybe you should focus on pulling yourself out of
trouble, Sampson.
5
SAMPSON
I strike quickly, being moved.
SAMPSON
I hit hard when I’m angry.
GREGORY
But thou art not quickly moved to strike.
GREGORY
But it’s hard to make you angry.
SAMPSON
A dog of the house of Montague moves me.
SAMPSON
One of those dogs from the Montague house can
make me angry.
GREGORY
To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand.
Therefore if thou art moved thou runn’st away.
GREGORY
Angry enough to run away. You won’t stand and
fight.
10
SAMPSON
A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will
take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s.
SAMPSON
A dog from that house will make me angry
enough to take a stand. If I pass one of them on
the street, I’ll take the side closer to the wall and
let him walk in the gutter.
Q1: What information about the play’s story does the Prologue convey?
No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -2-
Original Text Modern Text
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2
GREGORY
That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest goes
to the wall.
GREGORY
That means you’re the weak one, because
weaklings get pushed up against the wall.
SAMPSON
'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.
SAMPSON
You’re right. That’s why girls get pushed up
against walls—they’re weak. So what I’ll do is
push the Montague men into the street and the
Montague women up against the wall.
GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and us their men.
GREGORY
The fight is between our masters, and we men
who work for them.
SAMPSON
'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have
fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids. I will
cut off their heads.
SAMPSON
It’s all the same. I’ll be a harsh master to them.
After I fight the men, I’ll be nice to the women—I’ll
cut off their heads.
GREGORY
The heads of the maids?
GREGORY
Cut off their heads? You mean
theirmaidenheads?
SAMPSON
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads.
Take it in what sense thou wilt.
SAMPSON
Cut off their heads, take their maidenheads—
whatever. Take my remark in whichever sense
you like.
25
GREGORY
They must take it in sense that feel it.
GREGORY
The women you rape are the ones who’ll have to
“sense” it.
SAMPSON
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand, and
’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh.
SAMPSON
They’ll feel me as long as I can keep an erection.
Everybody knows I’m a nice piece of flesh.
GREGORY
'Tis well thou art not fish. If thou hadst, thou hadst
been poor-john.
GREGORY
It’s a good thing you’re not a piece of fish.
You’redried and shriveled like salted fish.
Enter ABRAM and another SERVINGMAN ABRAM and another servant of the Montagues
enter.
Draw thy tool! Here comes of the house of
Montagues.
Pull out your tool now. These guys are from the
house of Montague.
30
SAMPSON
My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back thee.
SAMPSON
I have my naked sword out. Fight, I’ll back you
up.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 3
GREGORY
How? Turn thy back and run?
GREGORY
How will you back me up—by turning your back
and running away?
SAMPSON
Fear me not.
SAMPSON
Don’t worry about me.
GREGORY
No, marry. I fear thee.
GREGORY
No, really. I am worried about you!
SAMPSON
Let us take the law of our sides. Let them begin.
SAMPSON
Let’s not break the law by starting a fight. Let
No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -3-
Original Text Modern Text
them start something.
35
GREGORY
I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they
list.
GREGORY
I’ll frown at them as they pass by, and they can
react however they want.
SAMPSON
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which
is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. (bites his thumb)
SAMPSON
You mean however they dare. I’ll bite my thumb
at them. That’s an insult, and if they let me get
away with it they’ll be
dishonored. (SAMPSONbites his thumb)
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
ABRAM
Hey, are you biting your thumb at us?
SAMPSON
I do bite my thumb, sir.
SAMPSON
I’m biting my thumb.
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
ABRAM
Are you biting your thumb at us?
40
SAMPSON
(aside to GREGORY)
Is the law of our side if I say “ay”?
SAMPSON
(aside to GREGORY) Is the law on our side if I
say yes?
GREGORY
(aside to SAMPSON)
No.
GREGORY
(aside to SAMPSON) No.
SAMPSON
No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite
my thumb, sir.
SAMPSON
(to ABRAM) No, sir, I’m not biting my thumb at
you, but I am biting my thumb.
45
GREGORY
Do you quarrel, sir?
GREGORY
Are you trying to start a fight?
Quarrel, sir? No, sir.
ABRAM
Start a fight? No, sir.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4
SAMPSON
But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man
as you.
SAMPSON
If you want to fight, I’m your man. My employer is
as good as yours.
No better.
ABRAM
But he’s not better than mine.
SAMPSON
Well, sir.
SAMPSON
Well then.
Enter BENVOLIO BENVOLIO enters.
50
GREGORY
(aside to SAMPSON) Say “better.” Here comes one
of my master’s kinsmen.
GREGORY
(speaking so that only SAMPSON can hear) Say
“better.” Here comes one of my employer’s
relatives.
SAMPSON
(to ABRAM) Yes, better, sir.
SAMPSON
(to ABRAM) Yes, “better,” sir.
You lie.
ABRAM
You lie.
SAMPSON
Draw, if you be men.—Gregory, remember thy
washing blow.
SAMPSON
Pull out your swords, if you’re men. Gregory,
remember how to slash.
They fight They fight.
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FAQs

What is the main plot of Romeo and Juliet?
The plot of *Romeo and Juliet* revolves around two young lovers from rival families in Verona, the Montagues and the Capulets. Their love is forbidden, leading to a secret marriage orchestrated by Friar Lawrence. After a series of misunderstandings and tragic events, including the death of Mercutio and Tybalt, the couple's fate takes a dire turn. Ultimately, their love leads to their untimely deaths, which finally reconciles their feuding families.
Who are the main characters in Romeo and Juliet?
The main characters include Romeo Montague, a passionate young man who falls deeply in love with Juliet Capulet, the daughter of his family's enemy. Juliet is portrayed as a strong-willed and intelligent young woman who defies her family's expectations for love. Other significant characters include Mercutio, Romeo's close friend, who provides comic relief and wisdom; Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, whose aggression fuels the family feud; and Friar Lawrence, who attempts to help the lovers navigate their challenges.
What themes are explored in Romeo and Juliet?
Key themes in *Romeo and Juliet* include the conflict between love and hate, the inevitability of fate, and the consequences of family loyalty. The play examines how love can transcend social boundaries but also lead to tragic outcomes when intertwined with hatred and violence. Additionally, the theme of youthful passion versus the wisdom of age is prevalent, highlighting the impulsive nature of the young lovers and the tragic results of their decisions.
How does the setting influence the story of Romeo and Juliet?
The setting of Verona plays a crucial role in *Romeo and Juliet*, as it is a city divided by the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. This backdrop of conflict creates an environment where love is forbidden and leads to secrecy and tragedy. The public spaces of Verona, such as the streets and the Capulet's ball, contrast with the private spaces where Romeo and Juliet's love flourishes, emphasizing the tension between societal expectations and personal desires.
What is the significance of the prologue in Romeo and Juliet?
The prologue of *Romeo and Juliet* serves as an introduction to the play, summarizing the tragic fate of the two lovers and setting the stage for the unfolding drama. It establishes the themes of fate and conflict, informing the audience that the story will end in tragedy. This foreboding tone creates a sense of inevitability, prompting the audience to reflect on the characters' choices and the societal pressures that lead to their demise.

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