Romeo and Juliet: Novel Summary: Act II, Scene 6-Act III, Scene 1

Act II, Scene 6: Romeo waits impatiently in Friar Lawrence's cell, barely able to contain his excitement.  Friar Lawrence fears that the marriage will result in a violent end though Romeo is so sure of himself that he challenges death to do its worst.  The Friar cautions Romeo to control his impetuosity.  Juliet arrives and is unimpressed by Romeo's over-the -top proclamations of love.  She believes that true love cannot be expressed in words.  They then go with the Friar to be married.
Act III, Scene 1: Benvolio and Mercutio are in the public square.  Benvolio tries to compel Mercutio to leave as the Capulet's are around and he fears that they will not be able to escape a fight should they meet.  Mercutio isn't convinced and teases Benvolio for being quick to anger for inconsequential reasons himself.  Tybalt and other Capulet's enter and Tybalt confronts the Montague crowd.  Mercutio is antagonistic but Tybalt does not draw his sword.  Romeo enters and Tybalt immediately turns his attention to him, wanting revenge for his attendance at the Capulet party.  Romeo refuses to fight (as he is now married to Tybalt's cousin) but Tybalt will not back down.  Mercutio is horrified at Romeo's refusal to fight; taking it as a sign of the damage love has caused him.  Mercutio draws his own sword to fight in Romeo's stead.  Romeo steps between the two men in order to stop the fight but Tybalt simply takes the opportunity to stab Mercutio under Romeo's arm.  The Capulet's run off.  Mercutio is mortally wounded and curses both families (ignoring his own fault for jumping into battle).  He does manage to keep a sense of humor, even as he dies.  Tybalt returns and Romeo, now feeling that he must avenge Mercutio's death, fights him.  Tybalt is killed and Romeo, at Benvolio's urging, runs away.  The citizens of Verona, including the Prince, Capulets, and Montagues, arrive on the scene having heard of Mercutio's death. Benvolio tells the Prince what has taken place, though he blames Tybalt completely. He tells the Prince that Romeo had attempted to stop the fight.  Capulet's wife is furious and demands Romeo be executed for killing Tybalt.  Mercutio was a member of the Prince's family.  The Prince chooses to banish Romeo from Verona with death as the punishment for returning.  He also commands the feuding families to pay a fine to compensate him for his loss.