

Masked, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio head to the Capulet party. Juliet, although hesitant, promises to be courteous. At Capulet's house, Lady Capulet speaks to Juliet about her feelings for marrying Paris while Juliet's Nurse listens on, telling stories of Juliet's childhood. Upon hearing of the party, Benvolio convinces Romeo to attend and compare his unattainable love Rosaline to more beautiful women to get his mind off Rosaline. Capulet's servant is sent to invite guests, but he can't read the list so he entreats Romeo to do so. Still, Capulet invites Paris to a party in the evening. Capulet responds that she is too young (nearly 14 years old) and must wait two years to marry, and then only to the man whom she chooses. Separately, Paris (a kinsman of the Prince of Verona) talks to Lord Capulet about wooing his daughter Juliet for marriage. Benvolio suggests pursuing other women, but Romeo refuses. Speaking with Romeo, Benvolio finds Romeo is in love with a woman who has sworn to stay chaste (Rosaline). At Montague's house, he, his wife, and Benvolio discuss how melancholy Romeo (Montague's only son) has been lately. The Prince of Verona (Escalus) appears and stops the fighting, proclaiming sentences of death to any that renew the fighting. At length, officers try to break up the fight, even while Lord Capulet and Lord Montague begin to fight one another. Benvolio (Lord Montague's nephew) appears and tries to break up the quarrel, but Tybalt (Lady Capulet's nephew) appears and picks a fight with Benvolio. Abram and Balthasar (Montague servants) appear and the four start quarreling.

In Verona, Sampson and Gregory (Capulet servants) complain that they will not put up with insults from the Montague family.
