No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -1-
Original Text Modern Text
Prologue
Enter CHORUS The CHORUS enters.
CHORUS CHORUS
Two households, both alike in dignity In the beautiful city of Verona, where our story
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), takes place, a long-standing hatred between two
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, families erupts into new violence, and citizens
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. stain their hands with the blood of their fellow
5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes citizens. Two unlucky children of these enemy
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, families become lovers and commit suicide. Their
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows unfortunate deaths put an end to their parents'
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. feud. For the next two hours, we will watch the
The fearful passage of their death-marked love story of their doomed love and their parents'
10 And the continuance of their parents' rage, anger, which nothing but the children’s deaths
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, could stop. If you listen to us patiently, we’ll make
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage— up for everything we’ve left out in this prologue
The which, if you with patient ears attend, onstage.
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Exit The CHORUS exits.
Act 1, Scene 1
Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY of the house of SAMPSON and GREGORY, servants of the
Capulet, with swords and bucklers Capulet family, enter carrying swords and small
shields.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals. Gregory, I swear, we can’t let them humiliate us.
We won’t take their garbage.
GREGORY GREGORY
No, for then we should be colliers. (teasing SAMPSON) No, because then we’d be
garbagemen.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw. What I mean is, if they make us angry we’ll pull
out our swords.
GREGORY GREGORY
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. Maybe you should focus on pulling yourself out of
trouble, Sampson.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
5 I strike quickly, being moved. I hit hard when I’m angry.
GREGORY GREGORY
But thou art not quickly moved to strike. But it’s hard to make you angry.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
A dog of the house of Montague moves me. One of those dogs from the Montague house can
make me angry.
GREGORY GREGORY
To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Angry enough to run away. You won’t stand and
Therefore if thou art moved thou runn’st away. fight.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
10 A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will A dog from that house will make me angry
take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s. enough to take a stand. If I pass one of them on
the street, I’ll take the side closer to the wall and
let him walk in the gutter.
,No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -2-
Original Text Modern Text
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2
GREGORY GREGORY
That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest goes That means you’re the weak one, because
to the wall. weaklings get pushed up against the wall.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
'Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker You’re right. That’s why girls get pushed up
vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will against walls—they’re weak. So what I’ll do is
push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his push the Montague men into the street and the
maids to the wall. Montague women up against the wall.
GREGORY GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. The fight is between our masters, and we men
who work for them.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have It’s all the same. I’ll be a harsh master to them.
fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids. I will After I fight the men, I’ll be nice to the women—I’ll
cut off their heads. cut off their heads.
GREGORY GREGORY
The heads of the maids? Cut off their heads? You mean
theirmaidenheads?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads. Cut off their heads, take their maidenheads—
Take it in what sense thou wilt. whatever. Take my remark in whichever sense
you like.
GREGORY GREGORY
25 They must take it in sense that feel it. The women you rape are the ones who’ll have to
“sense” it.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand, and They’ll feel me as long as I can keep an erection.
’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. Everybody knows I’m a nice piece of flesh.
GREGORY GREGORY
'Tis well thou art not fish. If thou hadst, thou hadst It’s a good thing you’re not a piece of fish.
been poor-john. You’redried and shriveled like salted fish.
Enter ABRAM and another SERVINGMAN ABRAM and another servant of the Montagues
enter.
Draw thy tool! Here comes of the house of Pull out your tool now. These guys are from the
Montagues. house of Montague.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
30 My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back thee. I have my naked sword out. Fight, I’ll back you
up.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 3
GREGORY GREGORY
How? Turn thy back and run? How will you back me up—by turning your back
and running away?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Fear me not. Don’t worry about me.
GREGORY GREGORY
No, marry. I fear thee. No, really. I am worried about you!
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Let us take the law of our sides. Let them begin. Let’s not break the law by starting a fight. Let
,No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -3-
Original Text Modern Text
them start something.
GREGORY GREGORY
35 I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they I’ll frown at them as they pass by, and they can
list. react however they want.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which You mean however they dare. I’ll bite my thumb
is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. (bites his thumb) at them. That’s an insult, and if they let me get
away with it they’ll be
dishonored. (SAMPSONbites his thumb)
ABRAM ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Hey, are you biting your thumb at us?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
I do bite my thumb, sir. I’m biting my thumb.
ABRAM ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Are you biting your thumb at us?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
40 (aside to GREGORY) (aside to GREGORY) Is the law on our side if I
Is the law of our side if I say “ay”? say yes?
GREGORY GREGORY
(aside to SAMPSON) (aside to SAMPSON) No.
No.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite (to ABRAM) No, sir, I’m not biting my thumb at
my thumb, sir. you, but I am biting my thumb.
GREGORY GREGORY
45 Do you quarrel, sir? Are you trying to start a fight?
ABRAM ABRAM
Quarrel, sir? No, sir. Start a fight? No, sir.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4
SAMPSON SAMPSON
But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man If you want to fight, I’m your man. My employer is
as you. as good as yours.
ABRAM ABRAM
No better. But he’s not better than mine.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Well, sir. Well then.
Enter BENVOLIO BENVOLIO enters.
GREGORY GREGORY
50 (aside to SAMPSON) Say “better.” Here comes one (speaking so that only SAMPSON can hear) Say
of my master’s kinsmen. “better.” Here comes one of my employer’s
relatives.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
(to ABRAM) Yes, better, sir. (to ABRAM) Yes, “better,” sir.
ABRAM ABRAM
You lie. You lie.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Draw, if you be men.—Gregory, remember thy Pull out your swords, if you’re men. Gregory,
washing blow. remember how to slash.
They fight They fight.
, No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -4-
Original Text Modern Text
BENVOLIO BENVOLIO
(draws his sword) Part, fools! (pulling out his sword) Break it up, you fools. Put
55 Put up your swords. You know not what you do. your swords away. You don’t know what you’re
doing.
Enter TYBALT TYBALT enters.
TYBALT TYBALT
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? What? You’ve pulled out your sword to fight with
Turn thee, Benvolio. Look upon thy death. these worthless servants? Turn around, Benvolio,
and look at the man who’s going to kill you.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 5
BENVOLIO BENVOLIO
I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, I’m only trying to keep the peace. Either put away
Or manage it to part these men with me. your sword or use it to help me stop this fight.
TYBALT TYBALT
60 What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, What? You take out your sword and then talk
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. about peace? I hate the word peace like I hate
Have at thee, coward! hell, all Montagues, and you. Let’s go at it,
coward!
They fight Enter three or four CITIZENS, with clubs or BENVOLIO and TYBALT fight. Three or
partisans fourCITIZENS of the watch enter with clubs and
spears.
CITIZENS CITIZENS
Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike! Beat them down! Use your clubs and spears! Hit them! Beat them
Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the
Montagues!
Enter old CAPULET in his gown, and his wife, LADY CAPULET enters in his gown, together with his
CAPULET wife, LADY CAPULET.
CAPULET CAPULET
65 What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho! What’s this noise? Give me my long sword! Come
on!
LADY CAPULET LADY CAPULET
A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword? A crutch, you need a crutch—why are you asking
for a sword?
Enter old MONTAGUE and his wife, LADY MONTAGUE enters with his sword
MONTAGUE drawn,together with his wife, LADY MONTAGUE.
CAPULET CAPULET
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, I want my sword. Old Montague is here, and he’s
And flourishes his blade in spite of me. waving his sword around just to make me mad.
MONTAGUE MONTAGUE
Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not. Let me go. Capulet, you villain! (his wife holds him
back)Don’t stop me. Let me go.
LADY MONTAGUE LADY MONTAGUE
70 Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. You’re not taking one step toward an enemy.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 6
Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his train PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his escort.
PRINCE PRINCE
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, (shouting at the rioters) You rebels! Enemies of
Profaners of this neighbor-stainèd steel!— the peace! Men who turn their weapons against
Original Text Modern Text
Prologue
Enter CHORUS The CHORUS enters.
CHORUS CHORUS
Two households, both alike in dignity In the beautiful city of Verona, where our story
(In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), takes place, a long-standing hatred between two
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, families erupts into new violence, and citizens
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean. stain their hands with the blood of their fellow
5 From forth the fatal loins of these two foes citizens. Two unlucky children of these enemy
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life, families become lovers and commit suicide. Their
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows unfortunate deaths put an end to their parents'
Doth with their death bury their parents' strife. feud. For the next two hours, we will watch the
The fearful passage of their death-marked love story of their doomed love and their parents'
10 And the continuance of their parents' rage, anger, which nothing but the children’s deaths
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove, could stop. If you listen to us patiently, we’ll make
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage— up for everything we’ve left out in this prologue
The which, if you with patient ears attend, onstage.
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Exit The CHORUS exits.
Act 1, Scene 1
Enter SAMPSON and GREGORY of the house of SAMPSON and GREGORY, servants of the
Capulet, with swords and bucklers Capulet family, enter carrying swords and small
shields.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Gregory, on my word, we’ll not carry coals. Gregory, I swear, we can’t let them humiliate us.
We won’t take their garbage.
GREGORY GREGORY
No, for then we should be colliers. (teasing SAMPSON) No, because then we’d be
garbagemen.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
I mean, an we be in choler, we’ll draw. What I mean is, if they make us angry we’ll pull
out our swords.
GREGORY GREGORY
Ay, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. Maybe you should focus on pulling yourself out of
trouble, Sampson.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
5 I strike quickly, being moved. I hit hard when I’m angry.
GREGORY GREGORY
But thou art not quickly moved to strike. But it’s hard to make you angry.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
A dog of the house of Montague moves me. One of those dogs from the Montague house can
make me angry.
GREGORY GREGORY
To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Angry enough to run away. You won’t stand and
Therefore if thou art moved thou runn’st away. fight.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
10 A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will A dog from that house will make me angry
take the wall of any man or maid of Montague’s. enough to take a stand. If I pass one of them on
the street, I’ll take the side closer to the wall and
let him walk in the gutter.
,No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -2-
Original Text Modern Text
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 2
GREGORY GREGORY
That shows thee a weak slave, for the weakest goes That means you’re the weak one, because
to the wall. weaklings get pushed up against the wall.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
'Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker You’re right. That’s why girls get pushed up
vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will against walls—they’re weak. So what I’ll do is
push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his push the Montague men into the street and the
maids to the wall. Montague women up against the wall.
GREGORY GREGORY
The quarrel is between our masters and us their men. The fight is between our masters, and we men
who work for them.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
'Tis all one. I will show myself a tyrant. When I have It’s all the same. I’ll be a harsh master to them.
fought with the men, I will be civil with the maids. I will After I fight the men, I’ll be nice to the women—I’ll
cut off their heads. cut off their heads.
GREGORY GREGORY
The heads of the maids? Cut off their heads? You mean
theirmaidenheads?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads. Cut off their heads, take their maidenheads—
Take it in what sense thou wilt. whatever. Take my remark in whichever sense
you like.
GREGORY GREGORY
25 They must take it in sense that feel it. The women you rape are the ones who’ll have to
“sense” it.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Me they shall feel while I am able to stand, and They’ll feel me as long as I can keep an erection.
’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh. Everybody knows I’m a nice piece of flesh.
GREGORY GREGORY
'Tis well thou art not fish. If thou hadst, thou hadst It’s a good thing you’re not a piece of fish.
been poor-john. You’redried and shriveled like salted fish.
Enter ABRAM and another SERVINGMAN ABRAM and another servant of the Montagues
enter.
Draw thy tool! Here comes of the house of Pull out your tool now. These guys are from the
Montagues. house of Montague.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
30 My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back thee. I have my naked sword out. Fight, I’ll back you
up.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 3
GREGORY GREGORY
How? Turn thy back and run? How will you back me up—by turning your back
and running away?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Fear me not. Don’t worry about me.
GREGORY GREGORY
No, marry. I fear thee. No, really. I am worried about you!
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Let us take the law of our sides. Let them begin. Let’s not break the law by starting a fight. Let
,No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -3-
Original Text Modern Text
them start something.
GREGORY GREGORY
35 I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they I’ll frown at them as they pass by, and they can
list. react however they want.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them, which You mean however they dare. I’ll bite my thumb
is a disgrace to them, if they bear it. (bites his thumb) at them. That’s an insult, and if they let me get
away with it they’ll be
dishonored. (SAMPSONbites his thumb)
ABRAM ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Hey, are you biting your thumb at us?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
I do bite my thumb, sir. I’m biting my thumb.
ABRAM ABRAM
Do you bite your thumb at us, sir? Are you biting your thumb at us?
SAMPSON SAMPSON
40 (aside to GREGORY) (aside to GREGORY) Is the law on our side if I
Is the law of our side if I say “ay”? say yes?
GREGORY GREGORY
(aside to SAMPSON) (aside to SAMPSON) No.
No.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
No, sir. I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite (to ABRAM) No, sir, I’m not biting my thumb at
my thumb, sir. you, but I am biting my thumb.
GREGORY GREGORY
45 Do you quarrel, sir? Are you trying to start a fight?
ABRAM ABRAM
Quarrel, sir? No, sir. Start a fight? No, sir.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 4
SAMPSON SAMPSON
But if you do, sir, I am for you. I serve as good a man If you want to fight, I’m your man. My employer is
as you. as good as yours.
ABRAM ABRAM
No better. But he’s not better than mine.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Well, sir. Well then.
Enter BENVOLIO BENVOLIO enters.
GREGORY GREGORY
50 (aside to SAMPSON) Say “better.” Here comes one (speaking so that only SAMPSON can hear) Say
of my master’s kinsmen. “better.” Here comes one of my employer’s
relatives.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
(to ABRAM) Yes, better, sir. (to ABRAM) Yes, “better,” sir.
ABRAM ABRAM
You lie. You lie.
SAMPSON SAMPSON
Draw, if you be men.—Gregory, remember thy Pull out your swords, if you’re men. Gregory,
washing blow. remember how to slash.
They fight They fight.
, No Fear Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet (by SparkNotes) -4-
Original Text Modern Text
BENVOLIO BENVOLIO
(draws his sword) Part, fools! (pulling out his sword) Break it up, you fools. Put
55 Put up your swords. You know not what you do. your swords away. You don’t know what you’re
doing.
Enter TYBALT TYBALT enters.
TYBALT TYBALT
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? What? You’ve pulled out your sword to fight with
Turn thee, Benvolio. Look upon thy death. these worthless servants? Turn around, Benvolio,
and look at the man who’s going to kill you.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 5
BENVOLIO BENVOLIO
I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, I’m only trying to keep the peace. Either put away
Or manage it to part these men with me. your sword or use it to help me stop this fight.
TYBALT TYBALT
60 What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, What? You take out your sword and then talk
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. about peace? I hate the word peace like I hate
Have at thee, coward! hell, all Montagues, and you. Let’s go at it,
coward!
They fight Enter three or four CITIZENS, with clubs or BENVOLIO and TYBALT fight. Three or
partisans fourCITIZENS of the watch enter with clubs and
spears.
CITIZENS CITIZENS
Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike! Beat them down! Use your clubs and spears! Hit them! Beat them
Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! down! Down with the Capulets! Down with the
Montagues!
Enter old CAPULET in his gown, and his wife, LADY CAPULET enters in his gown, together with his
CAPULET wife, LADY CAPULET.
CAPULET CAPULET
65 What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho! What’s this noise? Give me my long sword! Come
on!
LADY CAPULET LADY CAPULET
A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword? A crutch, you need a crutch—why are you asking
for a sword?
Enter old MONTAGUE and his wife, LADY MONTAGUE enters with his sword
MONTAGUE drawn,together with his wife, LADY MONTAGUE.
CAPULET CAPULET
My sword, I say! Old Montague is come, I want my sword. Old Montague is here, and he’s
And flourishes his blade in spite of me. waving his sword around just to make me mad.
MONTAGUE MONTAGUE
Thou villain Capulet! Hold me not. Let me go. Capulet, you villain! (his wife holds him
back)Don’t stop me. Let me go.
LADY MONTAGUE LADY MONTAGUE
70 Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. You’re not taking one step toward an enemy.
Act 1, Scene 1, Page 6
Enter PRINCE ESCALUS, with his train PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his escort.
PRINCE PRINCE
Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, (shouting at the rioters) You rebels! Enemies of
Profaners of this neighbor-stainèd steel!— the peace! Men who turn their weapons against
