NURSE!

please silence thy cellulars…

Trigger Warning:

Descriptions of sex, death by sword, death by poison, death by dagger, death by fire, murder, suicide, infant death, and 14th / 20th century social mores.

Dramatis Personae 

HOUSE CAPULET

Juliet

Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father

Lady Capulet, Juliet’s mother

Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin

Paris, a nobleman & good catch

HOUSE MONTAGUE

Romeo

Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend

Friar Lawrence, a Franciscan. Romeo’s champion

Balthasar, Romeo’s servant 

Timeline

SATURDAY

Romeo and Juliet canoodle during and after a party at House Capulet

SUNDAY

Friar Lawrence presides over Romeo and Juliet’s secret wedding

A public brawl - Tybalt reaches ‘neath Romeo’s arm to deliver a mortal wound to Mercutio. 

Romeo, in turn, slays Tybalt

The wedding night.

MONDAY

Romeo flees for Mantua

Lord and Lady Capulet announce plans for Juliet to marry Paris on Wednesday

Friar Lawrence and Juliet hatch a secret plan hinging on a powerful sleeping potion that mimics death. 

Juliet drinks it at bedtime

TUESDAY

Friar Lawrence dispatches a messenger to Mantua

Juliet is discovered, apparently dead, and is taken to the Capulet crypt

Balthasar hastens to Mantua

WEDNESDAY
Surely you know the rest …