Two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, have an ancient feud. A fight between them breaks out on the streets of Verona.
Episode 1: Two Families in Verona
Rosaline
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.
A pair of star-cross’d lovers…and here their story shall begin.
[Scene 1: the streets of Verona]
Rosaline
Welcome to Verona, in Italy. My hometown. Our streets have been plagued for years by a feud between my family - the Capulets - and the Montagues. It’s been going on for so long that no one really knows what started it.
Tybalt
Turn, Benvolio! Fight me!
Benvolio
I‘m trying to keep the peace.
Rosaline
That angry one in purple is my cousin, Tybalt. He hates the Montagues.Always kicking off and starting fights. And the one in blue is Benvolio.He doesn’t like all the fighting, and bless him, he’s always trying to calm everyone down.
Tybalt
What? You talk of peace with your sword drawn? I hate the word as I hate all Montagues. Let’s fight, coward!
Rosaline
I should probably tell you who I am. I’m Rosaline. And I try to not get involved with the family feud but, being a Capulet, I know all about it. Sadly we all do. Ah. Here comes the one person everyone needs to listen to. Prince Escalus of Verona.
Prince
Rebellious subjects, enemies of the peace!Throw your swords to the ground!
Rosaline
He’s in charge around here. And he’s had enough of the fighting too.
Prince
If you ever disturb our streets again, you’ll pay a heavy price for it!
Rosaline
They should listen to the Prince. If the family feud ended, the story we’re about to tell might never have happened. And before we can get onto those 'star-crossed lovers' - Romeo and Juliet - a bit more background is needed.
The older gentleman there is Lord Capulet, my uncle. The younger man is Count Paris. He's related to Prince Escalus, who stopped the fighting just now.
They are talking about my cousin - Juliet. Paris wants to marry Juliet and my uncle approves. I think it would be nice for Juliet to get a say in the matter, don’t you?
Here comes our hero - Romeo - looking pretty sorry for himself. With his cousin Benvolio - we met him earlier as well.
Benvolio
Good morning, cousin.
Romeo
Is it still only morning? Every hour feels so long when you’re sad.
Benvolio
Why are you so sad?
Romeo
Not having something that, if I had it, would make time fly by.
Benvolio
You’re in love?
Romeo
Out of love. She’s not interested in me at all.
Rosaline
Now I don’t like to show off, but Romeo’s talking about me. He loves me. At least, he thinks he does…and it’s making him feel miserable. But he’s right, I don’t feel the same…and there’s not much I can do about it. Besides, me being a Capulet and him being a Montague…that just spells trouble.
Capulet Servant
Excuse me, sir, can you read?
Romeo
Yes, if it’s in a language I know.
Rosaline
Now the servant here can’t read and he’s been told to invite everyone on that guest list to a party the Capulet’s are holding.Obviously the Montagues are not invited, but he needs someone to help him and how’s he supposed to recognise a Montague?
Romeo
This looks like a good party.
Capulet Servant
As long as you’re not a Montague, you should come!
Benvolio
(Reading the guest list) Rosaline, the one you love, will be going…
Rosaline
Told you he loves me.
Benvolio
Going to a good party will cheer you up! And you may even make some new friends….
Romeo
I’ll go - but I doubt I’ll make any new friends. Or be cheered up.
Rosaline
So they’re coming to the party? This plan doesn’t bode well…
[Scene 2: Juliet's room in the Capulet household]
This is the balcony of my cousin Juliet’s bedroom. I wonder if we can hear what’s going on… Juliet’s chatting with her mother, Lady Capulet, and her trusted servant, the nursemaid.
Lady Capulet
Juliet, tell me, how do you feel about getting married?
Juliet
It’s an experience I haven’t thought of.
Rosaline
Surely Lady Capulet can’t already be talking about the wedding to Paris?
Lady Capulet
Well, think about marriage now. I was married by your age. To be brief, the valiant Paris seeks you for his wife. He’s Verona’s most handsome young man.
Nurse
Oh yes, very handsome!
Lady Capulet
Speak quickly. Could you fall in love with Paris?
Juliet
Fine, I’ll look at him. But I can’t force myself to like him. Any more than you can by asking me to do it.
Rosaline
It sounds like my aunt and uncle are going to have a bit of a challenge to persuade Juliet to marry Paris! So, the pieces are all in place. The party is fast approaching. A heart-broken Romeo, a frustrated Juliet, the Capulets, the uninvited Montagues. All in one room. What could possibly go wrong!
Romeo and Juliet animation
1. Two families in Verona
Rosaline introduces us to the Capulets and the Montagues, two feuding families in Verona, Italy. Tybalt - a Capulet - meets Benvolio - a Montague - in the street and they begin to fight. Enter Prince Escalus who orders them to lay down their swords and warns them that they will pay a high price for any future fighting.
We see Lord Capulet walking in the street with Paris, a young relative of Prince Escalus. They are discussing Lord Capulet's daughter, Juliet, who Paris wishes to marry. We learn that Lord Capulet is happy for his suit to proceed.
We see Romeo walking with Benvolio. They meet a servant of the Capulets who is carrying the guest list for a forthcoming party. They decide to attend the party in secret, but they will have to be careful: as Montagues they will not be welcome.
The scene changes to Juliet's bedroom where she is joined by her mother and her nursemaid. Lady Capulet is eager for Juliet to consider Paris for a husband.
The episode ends with Rosaline reflecting that all the pieces are in place for the story: a lovelorn Romeo, a frustrated Juliet and a fast-approaching party which Romeo will attend in secret.
The adaptation is intended to be broadly suitable for upper KS2 - that is, pupils aged 9 years old and above. However, be aware that the content deals with a number of sensitive issues including deaths during street fighting and suicide. Teachers should ensure they have watched any content they intend to share with their group in order to assess its suitability.
This film is relevant for teaching English within the National Curriculum at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland and equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales.
Further resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for this series
Episode transcript
Click to download / print the transcript
Other videos in this series
2. Love arrives at a party. video
Benvolio and Mercutio take Romeo to the Capulet ball where he meets and falls in love with Juliet.
3. Promises from a balcony. video
After the ball Romeo climbs into the Capulet garden hoping to see Juliet again.
4. A secret wedding. video
Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet in a secret ceremony witnessed by the nurse.
