How many lines are in the opening prologue of Romeo and Juliet?

The opening prologue of Romeo and Juliet has 14 lines. It is written as an English sonnet, introducing the “star-crossed lovers” and revealing that their deaths will end the feud between their families.

The prologue is spoken before the action begins and functions like a compact preview of the tragedy. It names Verona, identifies the rival households, and tells the audience that the lovers’ relationship will be doomed. Because the ending is announced immediately, the play’s suspense comes less from wondering whether the lovers will survive and more from watching how the known outcome develops.

The prologue’s sonnet form is especially significant because Romeo and Juliet later share a sonnet when they first meet at the Capulet ball. Shakespeare thus connects the lovers through poetic structure as well as dialogue. A later prologue in the second act also uses a sonnet-like form, but the famous opening prologue itself contains fourteen lines.