The Montague and Capulet families are feuding. The Prince of Verona intervenes and declares that any further fighting will be punishable by death.
When the Count of Paris approaches Lord Capulet about marrying his daughter, Juliet, he is wary of the request because she is only thirteen. Capulet asks the Count of Paris to wait another two years and invites him to attend a ball. Lady Capulet and Juliet's nurse urge Juliet to accept Paris' courtship.