At the house of Capulet, a masked ball is underway to introduce Juliette, who is eagerly awaited by her cousin Tybalt and her suitor, Paris. When Juliette appears, the guests proclaim her beauty. Capulet leads his guests to another room and Roméo and his companions, all masked, steal in. Roméo tells of an ominous dream, stirring Mercutio to hail Queen Mab, the mistress of fantasy. Juliette returns, reveling in her youthful freedom, and is entranced when Roméo unmasks and approaches her. Their attraction is instantaneous. At Tybalt’s appearance, Roméo dons his mask and escapes, but not before he is recognized. Only Capulet’s intervention prevents bloodshed.

Beneath Juliette’s balcony, Roméo rapturously extols her. Juliette steps out, distressed by her feelings for her family’s enemy. The sight of Romeo dispels her conflict, and the two ecstatically pledge their love, then tenderly say goodnight.

The next morning, Roméo and Juliette, accompanied by her nurse, arrive at Friar Laurence’s cell. He agrees to marry the lovers in the hope that their union will end the families’ feud.

Outside the Capulet house, Roméo’s page, Stephano, provokes a fight. Mercutio defends Stephano and is challenged by Tybalt, who responds with insults when Roméo attempts to make peace. Mercutio draws his sword to defend the Montague honor and is slain by Tybalt, who in turn is killed by Roméo. The Duke of Verona is summoned and banishes Roméo from the city.

That night, the lovers are united before Roméo’s reluctant departure for exile. Capulet and the friar bring word that Juliette will wed Paris that day. The friar has brought Juliette a sleeping potion to simulate death, with the promise that she will wake with Roméo beside her. Juliette drinks the potion and collapses as Capulet arrives to lead her to the church.

In Juliette’s tomb, Roméo despairs, believing her dead. Unwilling to live without her, he takes poison. Juliette awakens and the lovers look to a new life together, but the poison is doing its work. As Roméo bids Juliette farewell, she grabs his dagger and stabs herself. Praying for forgiveness, they die in each other’s arms.