When two star-crossed lovers meet, it's love at first sight. Despite being from rival families, Romeo and Juliet forsake their own families and risk everything to be together, which ends in tragedy.

Main Characters 

Romeo	Romeo is in love with Juliet.  He is the son of Montague and Lady Montague.  His family is a rival to the Capulet family.
Juliet	Juliet is in love with Romeo.  She is thirteen years old and the daugher of Capulet and Lady Capulet.  Her family is in a fued with the Montagues. She is a girl in an aristocratic family, so she does not have the same freedom as Romeo does.
Mercutio	He is a close friend of Romeo's.  He tries to show Romeo his view, that love is a simple matter.  He is not a romantic like Romeo.
Friar Lawrence	Friar Lawrence is a Franciscan friar.  He is a friend of Romeo's and of Juliet's.  Friar Lawrence secretly marries them in hopes that there will be peace in Verona.

Supporting Characters

The Nurse	Juliet's closet friend.  The Nurse has been with Juliet since she was born.
Paris	He is the suitor of Juliet, or someone who wants to marry her.
Capulet	The father of Juliet and husband of Lady Capulet.  He is the enemy of Montague.  Capulet loves his daughter but thinks he knows what is best for her.  He wishes her to marry Paris.
Lady Capulet	Juliet's mother and wife of Capulet.  She also wants to see Juliet marry Paris.  She was married at a very young age to Capulet.
Montague	Romeo's father and husband of Lady Montague.  He worries about his son's happiness.
Lady Montague	Romeo's mother and wife of Montague. She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled or kicked out of Verona.

Context Clues

Directions:	Match the vocabulary words (the bold words in the sentences) to their definitions.  Write the letter in the box next to each sentence.  Use the other sentences to help you figure out what each bold word means.
1.	The main adversary of the Capulets are the Montagues.  They do not get along and they fight all of the time. !
2.	He has a grievance with Romeo for crashing the Capulet's party.  Romeo was not invited to the party but he went anyway. !
3.	After Romeo broke the rules and fought the Capulet's, his life became forfeit.  However, the King decided to exile Romeo from the city of Verona.  He was not allowed to stay or return to Verona ever again. !
4.	Mercutio believes that love is only a physical desire.  Juliet disagrees with Mercutio, she is a chaste girl.  !
5.	Friar Lawrence secretly marries Romeo and Juliet.  He hopes that their marriage will purge the anger from their families. !
	A. modest or decent; proper B. remove or get rid of; absolve C. a complaint D. enemy or foe E. penalty; a consequence for breaking the rules

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