Romeo & Juliet: The Path to Light

The following is a non-profit, fan-based, parody, Romeo and Juliet is owned by William Shakespeare.

(This is an alternate version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. To see the original novel, Click here.)

Act 5, Scene 3, Page 14

PRINCE

We settle a dark peace this morning. The sun is too sad to show itself. Let’s go, to talk about these sad things some more. Some will be pardoned, and some will be punished. There was never a story more full of pain than the story of Romeo and Juliet.

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 1

CHORUS

All could have occurred, all would have been lost, if not for our hero’s sudden change of mind, of path.

Act 5, Scene 3, Page 4 plays from the beginning once more.

PARIS

I refuse your request. I’m arresting you as a criminal.

ROMEO

Are you going to provoke me? (pulls sword out)

PARIS

A man with hands as dirty as yours shalt not be left unpunished!

Romeo and Paris charge toward each other with swords on their hands.

CHORUS

But there is but a thought that appeared in Romeo’s corrupted mind, Friar Lawrence’s words echoes: I swear by my holy order, I thought you were smarter and more rational than this.

ROMEO

(Romeo zones-out while running towards Paris) No, this man has nothing to do with anything.

ROMEO

(to PARIS) I beg you forgiveness, I have already caused too much pain in this world I myself am sickened by my existence. (drops his sword) Before I die, tell the Capulets and the Montagues that I am truly sorry, this is my last request. (Romeo falls down) I'm sorry, Juliet, I am sorry, my love.

PARIS

No. No! What have I done? I- I have slain someone. What will be the Prince’s reaction to this? Indeed, I will be punished for committing such crime. But is my act of self-defense enough reason to have the Prince give me mercy? Oh Lord, I have to get out of here before anyone else sees me with this lifeless person.

PARIS runs away from the scene encountering FRIAR LAWRENCE

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 2

FRIAR LAWRENCE enters with a lantern, crowbar, and shovel.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(to Paris) Young man, what where you doing there on Juli-

PARIS kept on running

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(approaching the tomb) Romeo! Oh no! What is this blood that stains the stony entrance of this tomb? Why are these bloody swords lying here, abandoned by their masters? Next to this place of peace? (he looks inside the tomb) Romeo! (sees Romeo wounded and unconscious) Praise thy Lord, you’re still have a pulse. The bleeding from your wound must be stopped, immediately! Ah, when did these horrible things happen? The lady’s moving.

JULIET wakes up

JULIET

Oh friendly friar! Where is my husband? I remember very well where I should be, and here I am. Where is my Romeo?

A noise sounds from outside the tomb.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(holding Romeo In his arms) I hear some noise. Lady, come out of the tomb. Unfortunate events took place while you were away.

JULIET

(recognizing Romeo from FRIAR’s arms) Romeo? Romeo! (to FRIAR LAWRENCE) Father what happened?!

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Relax, my child, Romeo is merely unconscious, he is alive, but is wounded. Come child, there is no time to be wasted, your husband’s wound must be treated before he bleeds out. (Rushes to shelter carrying Romeo)

Juliet follows

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 3

ROMEO

(awakens from slumber) Where- Where am I? I have portrayed heaven as a brighter place, not a room of concrete and wood. (Feels something on his hand) Juliet?! How could this be? So this might be heaven. Thank you thy Lord, thank you. (Caresses Juliet by the head)

A hooded figure enters

HOODED FIGURE

(to ROMEO) Ah, so you are awake.

ROMEO

God?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(Removes hood) No, it is but me, Friar Lawrence.

ROMEO

No! How many of you were killed?! First Juliet, then I, not you too!

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Calm down, Romeo, you are very well alive. A sword was pierced through your chest when I found you, miraculously it didn’t hit any of your vitals.

ROMEO

But how about Juliet?! It does not make any sense.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I can explain, Juliet’s dea- (Notices that ROMEO is sobbing)

ROMEO

But... she’s still alive, that’s all that matters, I’m already contented.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(smiles) I have a lot of explanation to do, have I? Too start it off, Juliet never really died, she appeared as if she’s lifeless but she’s still alive, still though, at the moment she was dead. (ROMEO got confused) Everything was well planned, everything worked out well before one unexpected turn of events. But if you haven’t dug up Juliet out of her grave, she could have- . The letter never reached you. (Hands down the letter to Romeo)

ROMEO

It’s all clear now. (speaking so that FRIAR LAWRENCE does not hear) If it wasn’t for that man, all should have been lost. I need to repay him.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

What was that?

ROMEO
Sorry, it was nothing. Anyways, where did you get the potion?

FRIAR LAWRENCE
There are many things you do not know about me.

JULIET wakes up

JULIET

Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! (Hugs ROMEO) Romeo, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that knowing that death could’ve been the outcome. I should have just told father the real reason why I can’t marry Paris or- or I should have just postponed the wedding or maybe I could’ve escaped home the night before the wedding. I’m sorry.

ROMEO

Juliet, you don’t have to be sorry for anything. It is I who has to be blamed for the countless horrific events that has occurred, I was just too rash, my emotions, I was too weak to conceal it. If we haven’t met, now you’d be living peacefully with a man who deserves you.

JULIET

(crying) Romeo, what are you saying?

ROMEO

A weak fool like me doesn’t deserve an angel like you. You deserve a new life, Juliet... with a person who can give you everything I wasn’t able to, with someone who’ll love you more than I do.

JULIET

(crying) Don’t say that! You’re not worthless! A person who endured all the pain just to be with me deserves true love, a happy end! You gave me more than what you thought, you gave me a life full of adventure, you gave me everything I ever wanted, love. You were willing to die for me, to die with me, don’t you tell me that there’s another man in this world who can love me more than you do now! We can make it through, believe me. We deserve a place where everybody will accept our love. I love you, Romeo, you know more than that!

ROMEO

Juliet... (flashback of all he has been through with Juliet)

Juliet, I agree, go with me to Mantua instead, nobody there can forbid our love.

JULIET
Romeo...

FRIAR LAWRENCE

(thinking to himself) By now, the Capulets might have found out that Juliet body is missing. They may as well be searching for it now.

Someone forcefully opens the church’s door.

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 4

PAGE and CAPULET GUARDS enter

PAGE

(to the CAPULET GUARDS) There they are! The people who stole the maiden’s body, I saw them in the graveyard last – (Notices JULIET, alive) my lady?

CAPULET GUARDS got confused

CAPULET GUARD

(to the other Capulet Guards)Two of you, take Juliet to Sir Capulet bring him the good news, the rest, beat up those men until they give you answers.

JULIET

(To the Capulet Guard) No, leave them alone, they have nothing to do with this.

CAPULET GUARD

But –

JULIET

That’s an order from your master’s daughter. (To ROMEO) Stay here, I have something to settle with father.

CAPULET GUARD

As you wish.

JULIET, PAGE, and CAPULET GUARDS exit

ROMEO

Friar Lawrence! Why did you let them go away with Juliet?!

FRIAR LAWRENCE

There you are again with your rash judgements, acting before even analyzing the situation, your attitude sickens me.

ROMEO
You have a plan, am I right?

FRIAR LAWRENCE

Yes, go after her.

ROMEO

Pardon.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I said “go after her”.

ROMEO

I heard what you said, I need an explanation.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

There is no need.

Awkward silence

ROMEO

If- If you say so.

ROMEO exits

FRIAR LAWRENCE

At this rate, Capulet will be glad enough to agree to any of Juliet’s requests. The chance of him accepting Romeo as Juliet’s husband now exists. (holding his rosary) I rest the fate of the two lovers unto you now, please make everything work out.

FRIAR LAWRENCE exits

ROMEO enters

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 5

ROMEO

(while rushing to the Capulet mansion) (To self) Friar Lawrence, it’s very unusual to hear such things coming from you. Could it be? Yes father, I will do everything in my power to succeed. I must be there for Juliet, no matter what the cost. (out loud) Juliet. Juliet. Juliet!

ROMEO exits

CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, and NURSE enters

CAPULET

Not only that my beloved daughter has passed away, now her body has been stolen. Oh, what ever shall I do? She never even had the chance to marry.

NURSE

Sir, I have a confession to make. Juliet, Juliet never wanted to marry as she- she was already married to someone else.

CAPULET
What?!

NURSE

Romeo, sir, he -

CAPULET

What was that? I believe I have heard the name of that wretched Montague who has killed Juliet’s dearest cousin. Yes, that’s right, Juliet’s depression over Tybalt may have just been the cause of her death. Why? Why have the Montagues taken all that was mine?

NURSE

Don’t jump to conclusions, sir. She wasn’t crying over her cousin’s grave. Two nights before the incident, she mentioned she doesn’t want Paris as her husband, there was nothing sadder than her face after you have scolded her.

CAPULET

That’s preposterous! She cheerfully said that she will gladly marry Paris.

NURSE

I believe sir, that the smile on her face was never true. She was so scared to face the fact that you’d be mad at her forever, she was forced to do your bidding. She didn’t die because of sorrow for Tybalt, she died because of melancholy and pure tension from the life waiting for her if the marriage was ever to continue.

CAPULET

But how could she have been that sad?

NURSE

Romeo, sir, she loved Romeo, they loved each other.

CAPULET
How could you possibly know about my daughter’s inner feelings?

NURSE

I was there with her the whole time sir, she opens up to from time to time, and Romeo, we three were close to each other. She was already married to him, I’m sorry the news never reached you. Starting from the night of Tybalt’s death, she cried over Romeo, her heart broke into millions of tiny fragments after having knowledge of Romeo’s banishment. Romeo, and only Romeo was the only cure for her sorrow. I never heard again from the two after you have scolded your daughter.

CAPULET

But how in heaven’s name has my pure lily fall in love with a dirty, evil Montague?!

Someone opens the door

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 7

JULIET

Father.

CAPULET
Now I’m hearing things, seeing them. I never knew that sadness can cause people to hallucinate.

NURSE

Juliet?

JULIET
(Rushes to hug CAPULET) Father!

NURSE faints in surprise.

CAPULET
Juliet? But- but how? How is this happening?  Is it you who’s alive or... am I dead now? But- none of that! I don’t care if your dead or alive, I’m with my daughter, I can ask for nothing more. If there is a god, he’s a kind one. Oh Juliet, I beg your forgiveness. Please, never leave my side again.

JULIET

I should be the one asking for forgiveness, father.

CAPULET
W- Why?

JULIET

I faked my death just for my own selfish reasons. I’ve caused sorrow to hundreds. I’m sorry, dad.

CAPULET

I have no idea how you did that. Just- Just don’t do that again okay?

A voice from outside is heard

VOICE
Juliet! Juliet!

CAPULET

What the devil is that noise?

JULIET
!

ROMEO enters

CAPULET is surprised

ROMEO
Juliet! (Rushes to Juliet)

CAPULET
(Blocks Romeo) Romeo of the clan Montague, why are you here. Speak!

ROMEO

I am here for your daughter.

CAPULET

The son of Montague, who killed my dearest nephew, is asking for my daughter’s hand? I have never seen a man such as useless as you. Why does Juliet even love you? Tell me, Montague, what can you do for Juliet?

ROMEO
That... um...

What can I do for Juliet...

I can’t tell you that just now.

CAPULET
You’re an indecisive guy! Do you even love Juliet?

ROMEO

I...

CAPULET

I see...

Die!

(Grabs Romeo by the neck) So you’re just another indecisive bastard! You do not deserve the hand of a fair maiden like my daughter, you deserve to perish!

ROMEO

(choking) No! Why do you have to do this?

CAPULET

Because I don’t like you!

Yes! Perish, so I can finally become victor of the hundred year war. (Constantly punches Romeo) Die! Now I’ll return every single ounce of pain you brought to this land! What’s the matter? Why won’t you fight back? Where’s your pride, scoundrel?  Turn into ashes, piece of crap!

JULIET

Father! Stop! (Gets hit by Capulet in effort of stopping him)

ROMEO falls

Act 6, Scene 1, Page 8

CAPULET
Juliet! Why did you get in my way?

JULIET

Papa, please don’t do that. Please don’t hurt Romeo

CAPULET

You came back from the dead just to ask me this favor? This man is not suited for you.

JULIET

That is not for father to decide! (crying) Romeo is my most important person. No matter what you say, Romeo will still be my most important person. Romeo is gentle, he can be depended on and he has gone through all this pain. Romeo... Romeo... is the person I love!

ROMEO

(gasping for air) I... I can stop... the war. We two can stop the war.

JULIET

Romeo.

CAPULET

What was that?

ROMEO

I- we... can stop the war... I can give your daughter... a peaceful world to live in, where she’ll have eternal joy. Won’t you like that?

CAPULET
Yes, you have a point. Continue.

ROMEO

I can convince my family to stop the war... if- if you’ll agree to work with me.

CAPULET
Stop the war? Why?!

ROMEO

Can I ask you why our families are fighting?

CAPULET

I don’t know the answer to that.

ROMEO
Then why do you continue to fight for nothing?

CAPULET

We were taught to hate each other by our elders, our parents and grandparents. We were born rivals, we must fight to our deaths.

ROMEO

It’s not your fight anymore. It was your great-grandparent’s fight, you shouldn’t be part of it, the fight was over after our elders were gone. Now we have the chance to change, for a better future, for a more peaceful one. What do you say?

CAPULET
I believe what you have said is all true. I accept, Romeo.

JULIET

Dad...

Romeo smiles

They all exit.

Act 6, Scene 2, Page 1

MONTAGUE, MONTAGUE GUARD and MESSENGER enters

MESSENGER

Lord Montague, Sir Capulet has sent you a letter. (Hands down letter to Montague)

MONTAGUE

(After reading letter) What does he want now? Begging for me to come to their residence immediately after all those events. (to MONTAGUE GUARDS) Men, assist me to the Capulets.

They all exit

MONTAGUE and CAPULET enter

MONTAGUE
What is it now, Capulet?

CAPULET
Ah, you have received my letter earlier than expected. I have sent you here for a truce.

MONTAGUE

Truce?

CAPULET

I call the war off. All thanks to your son, ROMEO.

MONTAGUE

Romeo? What happened to my son?

CAPULET
He is here.

ROMEO and JULIET enter

MONTAGUE
Romeo! Oh, I have missed you, my son. The news must be told to your mother. Is what Capulet said true?

ROMEO

Yes, father.

MONTAGUE

But how? (sees Juliet) Oh, I see. (to CAPULET) The war is over. Who would’ve thought that the hundred year war was stopped by two children. (to ROMEO) I am proud of you, my son.

CAPULET goes outside to proclaim the news

CAPULET
The war is over!

The crowd roars with such joy.

PRINCE ESCALUS enters with his soldiers

PRINCE
What is the meaning of this? Why is there noise?

RANDOM CITIZEN
The war is over!

PRINCE
(to soldiers) Escort me to the Capulet’s house.

PRINCE enters Capulet mansion

PRINCE
(to CAPULET) I heard that the war is over. Capulet, when and how?

CAPULET
Montague’s son, my Lord.

Everyone silences

PRINCE

(to ROMEO) You! I thought I banished you from here. You have killed someone. You have broken the law by coming back to Verdana. You have dishonored your family. And most of all, you have saved Verdana.

The Crowd cheers

(To the Crowd) Peace has once again ruled over Verdana!

The crowd cheers louder.

Black scene

Act 6, Scene 2, Page 1

FRIAR LAWRENCE

I hereby proclaim the these two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, be officially married

Romeo and Juliet kiss

The citizens of Verdana cheers

PRINCE’S VOICE

We settle the two family’s eternal peace this morning. The bright sun shines over the kingdom once again. Now we end the story of Romeo and Juliet with the hope that Verdana will never again see the kind of darkness that has brought it to war so many times. But if that day comes, there is one who shall step out of the shadows and fight for the name of love and all things good and true.

The scene ends with pink petals falling from the sky with a golden statue of who seems to resemble Paris.

HAPPY END