Chapter 2
Feud and Unrequited Love in Verona
A ancient feud between the Capulet and Montague families erupts into a street brawl in Verona, started by servants Sampson and Gregory. Benvolio attempts to keep the peace, but the aggressive Tybalt joins the fight. The brawl escalates until citizens and the heads of both houses enter the fray. Prince Escales arrives to stop the violence, warning that any further disturbance of the peace will be punished by death. After the crowd disperses, Lord and Lady Montague ask Benvolio about Romeo. Benvolio and Lord Montague discuss Romeo's recent melancholy and secretive behavior. Romeo then appears, and Benvolio learns that his sadness stems from unrequited love for Rosaline, who has chosen a life of chastity. Benvolio advises Romeo to look at other women to forget her, but Romeo remains convinced no one can match her beauty.
Meanwhile, Count Paris asks Lord Capulet for permission to marry his young daughter, Juliet. Capulet urges Paris to wait two years because Juliet is not yet fourteen, but invites him to an annual feast that evening to woo her. Capulet gives a servant a list of guests to invite. The illiterate servant asks the passing Romeo and Benvolio for help reading the list. Discovering that Rosaline will attend the gathering, Romeo agrees to go with Benvolio, who hopes Romeo will compare Rosaline to other beauties and move on. Elsewhere, Lady Capulet and the Nurse discuss Juliet's age and the prospect of marriage. Lady Capulet encourages Juliet to consider Paris as a suitor at the upcoming banquet, and Juliet politely promises to look at him with an open mind.
As night falls, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio head toward the Capulet feast in masks. Romeo remains overwhelmed by heavy melancholy, insisting he will merely carry a torch rather than dance. Mercutio jokes with him about love, urging him to be rough with love in return. Romeo expresses hesitation about attending the mask, mentioning that he had a foreboding dream the previous night.
