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