{ Romeo & Juliet PRIME CUTS & the TRIMMINGS

 Romeo, banished from Verona, high tails it to Friar Lawrence’s cell.  For Romeo, the exile is worse than death.  The Nurse arrives, knowing Romeo is there, and says that Juliet is crying not for Tybalt, but for the loss of Romeo.  The Friar devises a plan that Romeo will sneak into the Capulet mansion to see Juliet one last time before heading to Mantua.  Friar Lawrence, with the help of the Nurse, will reunite Romeo and Juliet after a period of time. Trimmed - Act 3, Scene 3

 Lord Capulet and Paris meet to discuss marriage and Juliet.  Neither know that Juliet is already married to Romeo.  Lord Capulet wants to postpone the wedding a bit until Juliet is done mourning over Tybalt’s death.  The audience knows that Juliet is not mourning the death of Tybalt, but the banishment of Romeo instead. Trimmed - Act 3, Scene 4

 Romeo and Juliet spend their wedding night together.  They think that everything will work out fine.  Lady Capulet thinks that Juliet is mourning her cousin Tybalt.  Juliet speaks dialogue with double meanings – statements that could be about hating or loving Romeo.  Juliet refuses to marry Paris, but her father, Lord Capulet, flips out and warns her he will kick her out of the house if she doesn’t marry Paris. PRIME CUT – Act 3, Scene 5

 Paris approaches Friar Lawrence to ask to marry Juliet the next day, insisting that a hasty marriage will help end Juliet’s sorrow over Tybalt.  Juliet arrives to speak with Friar Lawrence, and is very cold toward Paris.  Once Paris leaves, Juliet lets all her fears out to Friar Lawrence.  The Friar gives Juliet a special potion she is instructed to drink that night before she sleeps. The next morning she will appear to be dead.  While Juliet is in her coma, Friar Lawrence plans to send for Romeo to return from Mantua for his wife. PRIME CUT – Act 4, Scene 1 “I long to die if what thou speak’st speak not of remedy.” - Juliet

 All in the Capulet house are in a good mood as they prepare for Juliet and Paris’ wedding.  Juliet returns from visiting Friar Lawrence and begs her father for forgiveness over her earlier disobedient behavior.  Juliet requests the Nurse’s presence when getting prepped for her wedding.  Lord Capulet is pleased with himself, and with Friar Lawrence, for how well this has turned out. Trimmed – Act 4, Scene 2 “See where she comes from shrift with merry look.” - Nurse

 Juliet rids herself of her mother and Nurse at the opening saying she needs alone time to ask God for forgiveness about her rude behavior.  She delivers a monologue in which she acknowledges her fears about taking the Friar’s potion. She fears:  the mixture may not work  she may still have to marry Paris  that the potion is actually poison  that she will wake in the vault before Romeo returns to rescue her  Despite these fears, she drinks the potion in Romeo’s name and falls upon her bed. Trimmed – Act 4, Scene 3 “For I have need of many orisons to move the heavens to smile upon my state.” - Juliet

 The Capulet house is busy with wedding preparations.  Lord Capulet directs his servants in every task, and notes that Paris will be arriving soon.  He suggests that the Nurse go wake Juliet and make haste to get her ready for her wedding day. Trimmed – Act 4, Scene 4 “Hie, make haste, make haste. The bridegroom he is come already. Make haste, I say.” - Capulet

 The Nurse attempts to wake Juliet and discovers, with horror, that her mistress is dead.  Capulet and Lady Capulet soon find out, and there is much sorrow in the home.  Friar Lawrence arrives with Paris and the musicians and innocently asks if the wedding is ready to begin.  Each character speaks in anger and sadness of Juliet’s death.  The Friar suggests that Juliet be taken to the church for her funeral and burial in the vault. PRIME CUT – Act 4, Scene 5 “Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field.” - Capulet

 Romeo’s servant, Balthasar, arrives in Mantua with news that Juliet is dead.  Romeo decides he does not want to live without Juliet and goes to an apothecary for a deadly poison.  The apothecary is wary to sell the poison, based on good conscience, but says he will sell for money instead.  Romeo hurries to Juliet’s grave to be with his love. PRIME CUT – Act 5, Scene 1 “I will lie with thee tonight.” - Romeo

 Friar John, who was supposed to be the messenger of Friar Lawrence’s important letter to Romeo, returns to Friar Lawrence’s cell with the letter still in his hand.  He explains that he was not allowed to enter Mantua because it was closed off due to a plague outbreak.  Friar Lawrence and John get a crowbar and make haste to the Capulet tomb to pry it open and be there when Juliet awakes.  Friar Lawrence will then hide Juliet in his cell until Romeo arrives. Trimmed – Act 5, Scene 2 “Poor living corse, closed in a dead man’s tomb!” – Friar Lawrence dead man’s tomb!” – Friar Lawrence

 Romeo arrives at the tomb and begins to open it.  Paris, hiding nearby, jumps out thinking that Romeo is defacing the tomb.  Romeo and Paris fight, and Paris is fatally wounded. He begs to be put in the tomb with Juliet.  Romeo notices how healthy Juliet looks in death, even though she is alive!  He drinks the deadly poison after stealing one last kiss. He dies. PRIME CUT – Act 5, Scene 3 “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” - Prince

 Friar Lawrence arrives and notices Romeo dead just as Juliet is awakening. He tells her the sad news about Romeo and Paris.  Juliet refuses to leave with the Friar, kisses Romeo’s still warm lips, and stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger. She dies.  Outside, the Montague and Capulet families arrive and wait for the Prince. The families are told the bad news. Lady Montague is already dead from grief over Romeo’s exile. PRIME CUT – Act 5, Scene 3 “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” - Prince

 The Friar explains the whole story of what led Romeo and Juliet to die. He explains that because of the Montague and Capulet feud, the families have sacrificed their most beloved.  The two families realize their wrong-doings, and join hands as they grieve.  The Prince concludes the story by commenting on how high a price has been paid for peace in Verona. PRIME CUT – Act 5, Scene 3 “For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” - Prince