Mercutio, seeing Romeo is entranced by her, dances to distract attention from him. Scene 4 ‑ The ballroom ‑ Romeo and his friends arrive at the height of the festivities.
Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio, disguised in masks, decide to go in pursuit of Rosaline. Scene 3 ‑ Outside the Capulet’s house ‑ Guests arrive for a ball at the Capulets’ house. They present her to Paris, a wealthy young nobleman who has asked for her hand in marriage. Scene 2 ‑ Juliet’s ante‑room in the Capulets’ house ‑ Juliet, playing with her nurse, is interrupted by her parents Lord and Lady Capulet. The Lords Montague and Capulet join in the fray, which is stopped by the appearance of the Prince of Verona who commands the families to end their feud. The Capulets and Montagues are sworn enemies and a fight soon begins. As day breaks the townspeople meet in the market place, a quarrel develops between Tybalt, a nephew of Capulet, and Romeo and his friends. Romeo, son of Montague, tries unsuccessfully to declare his love for Rosaline and is consoled by his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. Act I, Scene 1 ‑ The Market place ‑ The scene is Verona.
