- Romeo and his friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, are walking through the streets of Verona.
- They encounter a group of Capulets, including Tybalt, who are also walking through the streets.
- Tybalt and Romeo exchange insults, and Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight.
- Romeo refuses to fight, knowing that it would be a crime to do so.
- Mercutio is angered by Tybalt's insults and fights him instead.
- Romeo tries to stop the fight, but Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm and flees.
- Mercutio dies, and Romeo is filled with grief and anger.
- Romeo then vows to avenge Mercutio's death.