Romeo and Juliet's Secret Marriage:
- Romeo and Juliet decide to get married in secret with the help of Friar Laurence.
- Friar Laurence agrees to perform the marriage ceremony in the hope that it might bring peace between the feuding families.
Mercutio's Death:
- Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, challenges Romeo to a duel to avenge his cousin's (Juliet's uncle) death.
- Romeo, reluctant to fight because of his love for Juliet, tries to avoid the duel.
- Mercutio, Romeo's loyal friend, steps in to defend Romeo and is fatally wounded by Tybalt.
- Romeo, enraged by Mercutio's death, kills Tybalt in revenge, leading to his banishment from Verona.
Romeo's Banishment:
- The Prince of Verona, Escalus, arrives to investigate the disturbance caused by the duel.
- He pronounces Romeo's punishment as banishment from Verona for killing Tybalt.
- Romeo is devastated by the news, as it means he must leave Juliet behind.
- Juliet learns of Romeo's banishment and falls into a state of despair.
Friar Laurence's Plan:
- Friar Laurence visits Romeo in hiding to give him comfort.
- He proposes a plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet, involving a potion that will make Juliet appear dead.
- Romeo, despite his initial reluctance, agrees to the plan as he cannot bear to live without Juliet.
- Friar Laurence sends a message to Romeo explaining how to enter the tomb where Juliet will be laid.
Escalation of the Conflict:
- The feud between the Montagues and Capulets intensifies, with both families blaming each other for the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio.
- Lord Capulet decides that Juliet should marry Paris, the Count of Mantua, in an attempt to restore their family honor.
- Juliet resists this arranged marriage and confides in Friar Laurence, who reminds her of the plan to reunite her with Romeo.