Don’t Read Shakespeare Alone: The Romeo and Juliet Edition

Act V Scene 3

The story ends in tragedy at the Capulet's monument. Romeo and Juliet's families reconcile, finally ending the feud. 
 
Content Warning: suicide

Act V Scene 2

Friar Lawrence learns the alarming news that Romeo never got his letter because Friar John was quarantined in a plague house.
 

Act V Scene 1

Romeo hears from his servant that Juliet has died. Believing that to be true, he goes to an apothecary to buy poison.
Content Warning: planning suicide 

Act IV Scene 5

The Nurse and Juliet's parents think she's dead and are extremely grieved. Friar Lawrence urges them to stop crying, because he's trying to get Juliet's (still living) body to the crypt as soon as possible. Peter has an amusing squabble with the musicians.
 

Act IV Scene 4

Juliet's parents are in a great mood as they stay up all night getting ready for the wedding. Paris and the musicians arrive. 

Act IV Scene 3

Juliet takes the potion that Friar Lawrence gave her, but before she drinks it she imagines all of the horrible things that could go wrong. 
 
Content Warning: contemplation of suicide and disturbing images. 

Act IV Scene 2

Juliet pretends to be willing to marry Paris, and her father excitedly changes the date of the wedding to the next day.

Act IV Scene 1

Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence for help, and runs into Paris at Friar Lawrence's cell. She and Friar Lawrence talk secretly about what can be done, and he gives her a potion that will cause her to appear dead for forty-two hours. 
 
Content Warning: contemplation of suicide. 

Act III Scene 5

Romeo and Juliet say goodbye to each other. Juliet's mother comes to tell her that she is expected to marry Paris, and Juliet refuses. Her father is enraged by her response, and after the Nurse tells her she should marry Paris, Juliet decides her only source of help is Friar Lawrence. 
Content Warnings: verbal abuse, potential physical abuse, and contemplation of suicide.

Act III Scene 4

Lord Capulet offers Paris Juliet's hand in marriage without getting her consent first. He tells Lady Capulet to go and tell Juliet the news right away.