Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;Whole misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents' strife.The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,And the continuance of their parents' rage,Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;The which if you with patient ears attend,What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
In the tragic setting of Verona, two noble families are embroiled in a bitter feud that leads to violence and turmoil. Their hostilities result in bloodshed, tarnishing their dignified status. Amidst this chaos, two young lovers emerge, destined for a doomed relationship, which ultimately symbolizes the potential for love to heal divisions. Their tragic demise brings an end to their families' animosity, though not in the way anyone hoped.
This prologue emphasizes the weight of fate and the consequences of entrenched hatred, which keep the families at odds. The play's narrative unfolds as the audience witnesses the interplay of love and conflict, with the hope that the lovers’ tragic end might lead to reconciliation. The speaker invites the audience to engage with the story, promising a captivating experience that will address any gaps in the tale.
