Romeo and Juliet Study Guide CD-ROM: (Progeny Press Interactive CD-ROM Study Guides)

Caught in the trap of a long-standing family feud, the members of the two distinguished Veronese houses of Capulet and Montague engage in bickering, quarreling, and occasional bloodshed when they encounter each other in the streets of Verona. To put a halt to these disturbances, the Prince of Verona enacts a law making street brawling punishable by death. Tempers flare when Tybalt, of the house of Capulet, discovers that Romeo, heir of the Montagues, has come uninvited and disguised to a great banquet given by old Lord Capulet. Unseen by others, Romeo encounters Juliet, heiress of the Capulets, and is charmed by her beauty and grace. Romeo and Juliet talk briefly and share a clandestine kiss. After the banquet, Romeo climbs into the orchard of the Capulets and overhears Juliet, standing on her balcony, confess her love for him. Romeo speaks, making his presence known, and confesses his love for Juliet. The lovers decide to take quick and decisive action. The next day they are secretly married in the cell of the good Friar Laurence, who hopes the marriage will end the family quarrel. Following the wedding, Juliet hurries home, while Romeo and his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, encounter trouble in the streets. Tybalt, still angry that Romeo and his friends attended the Capulets' party the previous evening, provokes Mercutio to fight. Romeo tries to halt the dispute, but Tybalt manages to kill Mercutio. In anger Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince of Verona then arrives at the scene and banishes Romeo from the city. Meanwhile, Juliet's father, knowing nothing of the secret marriage, decides that Juliet shall marry Count Paris. Upset, Juliet turns to Friar Laurence for help. The friar gives Juliet a potion that will give her the appearance of death. The friar tells Juliet that after she is placed in the ancient tomb of the Capulets she will awaken, and he and Romeo will come and take her to Mantua where she can live in peace with Romeo. The friar promises to send a letter to Romeo explaining the plan. Unfortunately, the letter does not arrive before Romeo receives news of Juliet's death. Grief-stricken, Romeo buys enough poison to kill 20 men. Planning suicide, Romeo heads for the Capulet tomb so he can die by Juliet's side. When Romeo arrives at the tomb he meets Count Paris. Romeo kills Paris and then drags his body into the Capulet tomb. Seeing Juliet, Romeo swears his love, swallows the poison, and dies. Friar Laurence hurries to the tomb at the time when he knows Juliet will awaken. He discovers the bodies of Paris and Romeo. Juliet awakens and Friar Laurence encourages her to seek refuge in a convent. Instead, grief stricken, she thrusts Romeo's dagger into her heart and falls across his body, dead. As both families gather at the tomb, Friar Laurence tells them the entire story. Seeing what sorrow their feuding has brought, the two families vow to bury their grudge. Interactive CD-rom.