Benvolio and Mercutio take Romeo to the Capulet ball where he meets and falls in love with Juliet.
Episode 2: Love arrives at a party
[Scene 1: The Capulet party]
Rosaline
I usually love a party - the excitement and anticipation! Capulet parties are always amazing. But with an uninvited Romeo in attendance, I can’t help thinking things might be slightly different tonight. I wonder if he’s arrived yet? Let’s just hope that a masked ball prevents him from being recognised. I hate to think what might happen if it doesn’t!
Capulet
Welcome, everyone! Come, musicians, play! Let the dancing begin!
Romeo
(To servant) Who is that lady, dancing with that gentleman over there?
Servant
I don’t know, sir.
Romeo
Oh she teaches the torches to burn brighter! Did my heart love til now?I’ve never seen true beauty before tonight!
Rosaline
How quickly things can change! One minute I was the only one for him and the next, it would appear I’m completely forgotten! Juliet is lovely. But Romeo and Juliet? The son of the Montagues and the daughter of the Capulets? Someone had better talk some sense into him…and quickly before everything starts to go very wrong! Uh-oh! Too late!
Capulet
How are you doing, Tybalt? What are you storming about for?
Tybalt
Uncle this (he points to Romeo) is a Montague, our enemy.
Capulet
Young Romeo, is it?
Tybalt
Yes, it is. That villain Romeo.
Capulet
Calm down. Leave him alone.
Tybalt
I will not put up with him being here.
Capulet
Yes. You shall. Am I in charge? Or you? You’ll ruin the party for everyone.
Capulet
Be quiet! (To the party) More light, more fun! Keep dancing everyone!
Tybalt
I will hold back for now. But this insult will be paid for later.
Rosaline
Of all people to be discovered by! It couldn’t be worse than Tybalt. He hates the Montagues - especially Romeo - though I don’t think even he knows why he does. I don’t know what Tybalt’s problem is, but I do know that once he gets angry something usually happens - he can’t seem to stop himself. Where’s Romeo off to?
Romeo(To Juliet) If I disrespect your hand by taking it, my gentle punishment should be this: to smooth my rough touch with a tender kiss.
Rosaline
If Tybalt sees this he'll get even more angry. Why are they touching hands? It looks like they’re going to kiss? Phew!
Well, that happened rather quickly, didn’t it? They look sweet together… Wait, what am I saying!? This is not good! And to think, they still don’t know each other’s name! They are very sweet together, aren’t they? It’s just shame that no one else in the family will agree.
Nurse
Madam, your mother would like a word with you.
Romeo
Who is her mother?
Nurse
Her mother is the lady of the house, and a good lady, very wise and virtuous. I helped raise her daughter, the young lady you were just talking to.
Romeo
Is she a Capulet?
Nurse
She is.
Romeo
What a price to pay! I’m now in debt to my greatest enemies for bringing me my greatest love.
Benvolio
Let’s go now while everything is still going well.
Rosaline
Couldn’t Benvolio have taken Romeo out earlier? Before he met Juliet might have been more helpful. Imagine if Tybalt had seen!
Juliet
Come here, nurse. Who is that gentleman?
Nurse
His name is Romeo, the only son of your great enemies, the Montagues.
Juliet
My only love, comes from my only hate!
Rosaline
Romeo might have left and the party might be coming to an end, but I have a feeling things are just getting started. The love story of Romeo and Juliet - the ‘star-crossed lovers’ - has begun. What will be will be.
Romeo and Juliet animation
2. Love arrives at a party
We join Rosaline at the Capulets' masked ball, where Romeo arrives with Benvolio and Mercutio. Romeo is spotted by Tybalt - a Capulet - who wishes to confront him. He is intercepted by Lord Capulet who insists that he keeps quiet and does not spoil the party.
Romeo sees Juliet and falls in love - wondering 'Did my heart love til now?' - which leads Rosaline to reflect on how quickly things can change. Romeo introduces himself to Juliet and Rosaline comments that they look very sweet together, before remembering that Romeo is a Montague and that any relationship with Juliet will mean trouble.
Romeo learns that Juliet is a Capulet and says he is 'in debt to my greatest enemies for bringing me my greatest love'. Juliet too learns that Romeo is a Montague and says 'My only love comes from my only hate!'
Romeo, Benvolio and Mercutio leave the ball and Rosaline comments that the story of the 'star-crossed lovers' is underway.
The adaptation is intended to be broadly suitable for upper KS2 - that is, pupils aged 9 years old and above. However, be aware that the content deals with a number of sensitive issues including deaths during street fighting and suicide. Teachers should ensure they have watched any content they intend to share with their group in order to assess its suitability.
This film is relevant for teaching English within the National Curriculum at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland and equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales.
Further resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for this series
Episode transcript
Click to download / print the episode transcript
Other videos in this series
1. Two families in Verona. video
Meet the Montagues and the Capulets - two families in Verona who share an ancient feud.
3. Promises from a balcony. video
After the ball Romeo climbs into the Capulet garden hoping to see Juliet again.
4. A secret wedding. video
Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet in a secret ceremony witnessed by the nurse.
