Two rival noble families of Verona who for several generations have been bitter foes. Juliet, the daughter of the Capulets, and Romeo, son of the Montagues, meet and love: before they know that, on account of the family feud, they can never be united in marriage. Shortly after this, young Romeo is banished from Padua for dueling, and is compelled to bid his young bride farewell. During his absence, Capulet endeavors to force his daughter, Juliet, to marry a nobleman he has chosen for her. In her distress, Juliet turns to the Friar, who secretly married them. This kindly old man agrees to help the lovers. He gives Juliet a sleeping potion, which, after she has taken it, will make her seem dead. It is his intention to take the supposedly dead Juliet from her tomb, and reunite her to her banished husband. He sends a message to Romeo, telling him of the plan, but unfortunately news of Juliet's death reached Romeo before the Friar's message. The distracted youth purchases a vial of poison, and taking it with him to the tomb, where he finds the apparently lifeless body of Juliet. He drains the deadly potion. Juliet revives soon after this, and finding on the steps of the tomb the body of her beloved husband, takes her own life. When the Friar arrives upon the scene, intending to free Juliet and unite the lovers, he finds them already united in death.
—Moving Picture World synopsis