The result is conflict . Characters who must love blocked by characters designed to hate. The unwillingness of both sets of characters to be blocked by the others moves the story forward. A story lacking a clear premise risks being populated with characters whose actions fail to create drama. They act to no discernible purpose.
Events happen, but lack meaning.
Lastly, a premise identifies what makes dramatically potent and concrete a story's fulfillment . In Romeo and Juliet , the actions of the characters make concrete the story's fulfillment. Their actions offer the story's audience a fulfilling experience of profound love. Characters simply having goals opposed by others does not make their actions story-like, however. It is by their actions moving a dramatic issue toward resolution of a story's promise that they become story-like.