 Da Porto gave Romeo and Juliet most of its modern form , including the names of the lovers , the rival families of Montecchi and Capuleti , and the location in Verona . He named the friar Laurence ( frate Lorenzo ) and introduced the characters Mercutio ( Marcuccio Guertio ) , Tybalt ( Tebaldo Cappelleti ) , Count Paris ( conti ( Paride ) di Lodrone ) , the faithful servant , and Giulietta 's nurse . Da Porto originated the remaining basic elements of the story : the feuding families , Romeo -left by his mistress- meeting Giulietta at a dance at her house , the love scenes ( including the balcony scene ) , the periods of despair , Romeo killing Giulietta 's cousin ( Tebaldo ) , and the families ' reconciliation after the lovers ' suicides . In da Porto 's version Romeo takes poison and Giulietta stabs herself with his dagger . 
