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Romeo and Juliet Plot Diagram

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Romeo and Juliet Plot Diagram

Read the self-contained plot recap, then track how Shakespeare builds tension. Use evidence from the recap to explain how events connect.

Plot recap: Romeo and Juliet

In Verona, the Montague and Capulet families have been enemies for years. Their feud causes a public street fight, and Prince Escalus warns that further violence will be punished. Romeo Montague is unhappy because Rosaline does not return his love. To distract him, his friend Benvolio takes him to a masked feast at the Capulet home. There Romeo meets Juliet Capulet; they fall in love before learning each other’s family name. That night, Romeo returns to the Capulet orchard and speaks with Juliet at her window. They decide to marry. Friar Laurence agrees to help, hoping the marriage might end the feud. The next day, Romeo’s friend Mercutio fights Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin. Romeo tries to stop them, but Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo then kills Tybalt. The Prince banishes Romeo from Verona. Juliet’s parents plan for her to marry Paris. To avoid this, Juliet takes a potion supplied by Friar Laurence. It will make her appear dead for a short time. The Friar’s message explaining the plan does not reach Romeo. He hears that Juliet has died and goes to her tomb. Believing she is truly dead, Romeo drinks poison. Juliet wakes, finds Romeo dead, and kills herself with his dagger. The devastated families end their feud.

Read the plot stages

Exposition introduces characters, setting and conflict. Rising action develops the conflict and increases tension. The climax is the turning point of greatest tension. Falling action shows consequences after the climax. Resolution brings the main conflict to an end. A tragic ending can still resolve a conflict.

1.Which place is identified as the setting in the exposition?

Romeo is unhappy about Rosaline.
Verona.
Juliet’s parents plan for her to marry Paris.
The families end their feud.

2.Put these events in chronological order by writing 1–4 beside them: Romeo is banished; Romeo and Juliet meet at the feast; Juliet takes the potion; Romeo and Juliet decide to marry.

3.Select the two events that belong to the rising action, before the turning point of Mercutio’s death and Romeo’s killing of Tybalt.

Romeo and Juliet meet at the feast.
Romeo and Juliet decide to marry.
The families end their feud.
Juliet wakes in the tomb.

4.Why does Friar Laurence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

5.Which event is the strongest choice for the climax, or major turning point, of the tragedy? Explain briefly why it changes what follows.

6.What does the failed delivery of Friar Laurence’s message cause Romeo to believe?

That the families have made peace.
That Juliet has really died.
That the Prince has lifted his banishment.
That Juliet has married Paris.

7.Match each event to its most suitable plot stage. Stages may be used more than once.

The feud and Verona’s setting are introduced
Romeo and Juliet meet and decide to marry
Romeo finds Juliet in the tomb and drinks poison
The families end their feud

Rising action
Resolution
Climax
Exposition

8.Identify one event in the recap that could be described as falling action. State what consequence it shows.

9.True or false: The resolution is happy for the lovers because the families end their feud.

TrueFalse

10.Explain how the feud helps cause the tragedy. Use two linked events from the recap in your answer.

11.For each event, name a suitable plot stage: the family feud is introduced; Romeo and Juliet meet; Romeo is banished; Romeo drinks poison; the families end their feud. Then explain why the event you identify as the climax is a turning point.