Juliet's parents no longer concern themselves with her well-being once she claims to accept her betrothal to Paris, and even the Nurse (who knows the depth of her passion for Romeo) allows her to sleep alone. Paris is no longer trying to charm or woo Juliet but, upon hearing the news that she has accepted his hand, becomes arrogant and obnoxious. On the other hand, the adults in Act 4 act almost exclusively out of resignation and self-interest. Her decision to comply with the Friar's plan might be rash, but it is unquestionably brave.
Juliet's actions emphasize the recurring division between the young and the old in the play. These parallel decisions suggest Juliet's superior courage and cleverness, and indicate the power of love in Romeo and Juliet. Where Romeo's reacted to his banishment by actually attempting suicide in Act 3, Juliet looks at the problem logically, choosing to feign suicide in order to reunited with her lover. Romeo does not appear in this Act which makes it feel like Shakespeare wanted to draw attention to Juliet's unwavering devotion towards solving their problem. In Act 4, Juliet summons all of her internal strength, which is manifest in her willingness to engage in the Friar's rash and precarious plan. Even though the audience understands that Juliet's death is a ploy, watching her plan and execute her suicide is an emotional moment - the extreme measures Juliet and Romeo are willing to take to be together are proof of their tragic desperation. In Act 4, death finally comes to the forefront.
AnalysisĪs noted in the previous Analysis sections, Shakespeare foreshadows Romeo and Juliet's tragic ending by peppering the whole play with images of death. The grieving family prepares to move Juliet's body to the Capulet tomb as soon as possible. When Lord Capulet finds out his daughter is dead, he orders the the wedding music to shift into funeral dirges. Lady Capulet soon follows, and is understandably devastated over her daughter's apparent suicide. When the Nurse arrives to fetch Juliet the next morning, she finds the young girl's lifeless body. (Please note that some editions of the play separate this scene into two different scenes.) She then drinks the Friar's potion and falls to her bed, motionless. Juliet keeps a knife nearby in case the potion should fail. Juliet convinces Lady Capulet and the Nurse to let her sleep alone that night. Lord Capulet then sets out to find Paris to deliver the good news about Juliet's change of heart. He pardons her, and instructs her to prepare her clothes for the wedding, which is now going to happen the next day. Happy to know that she will be reunited with Romeo, Juliet returns home and apologizes to her father for her disobedience. Meanwhile, Friar Laurence will send a letter to Romeo, instructing him of the plan so that the boy can meet Juliet in the tomb and then lead her away from Verona. Following their family tradition, her parents will place her body in the Capulet vault. The Friar will give Juliet a special potion that will effectively kill her for 48 hours she will exhibit no signs of life. When the Friar assents, Paris is forced to leave.įriar Laurence proposes a complicated plan to help Juliet reunite with Romeo. However, Juliet rebuffs him with her vague answers, and then finally asks Friar Laurence if she might speak to him alone. She is forced to speak with him, and he behaves arrogantly now that their wedding is set. Juliet, in search of Romeo, arrives at the chapel and finds Paris there.
#Tromeo and juliet act 4 sc 1 full
Aware of the complications that will arise from this new match, the Friar is full of misgivings. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Summary and Analysis of Act 4 Summary Act Four, Scene OneĪt the chapel, Paris speaks to Friar Laurence about his impending wedding to Juliet.
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