Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. The play is set in Verona, Italy, and begins with a brawl between the Montague and Capulet families. Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, meet at a party at the Capulets house and fall in love. They secretly marry with the help of Friar Laurence, who hopes to end the feud between the families. However, Romeo kills Juliets cousin Tybalt in a fight and is banished. Juliets father then arranges for her to marry Count Paris, but she takes a potion that makes her appear dead. Romeo, not knowing about the potion, believes Juliet is dead and kills himself. Juliet wakes up, sees Romeo dead, and kills herself as well. The play ends with the families ending their feud.