"Paris visits Friar Lawrence to arrange his marriage to Juliet. The Friar expresses his doubts, but cannot say why."
"Juliet arrives, and is warmly greeted by Paris. She is polite to him, but makes no commitment."
" "
"When Paris leaves, Juliet seeks Friar Lawrence's help, saying that otherwise she will kill herself."
"The Friar suggests a desperate plan. Juliet must pretend to obey her father's wishes."
"However, Friar Lawrence will give her a drug, which will make her appear to be dead. Her family will lay her body in the Capulets' vault."
10
"*scene i (cont.)"
" "
"In the meantime, Friar Lawrence will send word to Romeo. He will come and wait for her to wake from her drugged sleep."
"Then the two of them can escape to Mantua together."
" "
"Juliet eagerly seizes the potion, accepting the plan as the only way out of her dilemma."
" "
"*COMMENTARY"
"This is the only time in the play that we see Juliet and Paris together. Juliet is cold to him, and their conversation seems unnatural."
"In addition, she is insincere, speaking in riddles."
9
"*COMMENTARY scene ii (cont.)"
" "
"Juliet reveals great strength of character here. She is composed and shrewd talking to Paris."
"She intelligently evades answering his questions directly."
" "
"Friar Lawrence reveals how cunning he can be, with his desperate plot, although we may wonder at his motives. Perhaps he is trying to save his own skin."
" "
"Notice also how clever Shakespeare was to prepare us earlier for the Friar's skill in the use of medicines."
"In general, this scene propels the plot along by setting out the planned actions of Romeo and Juliet."
9
"*scene ii"
" "
"There is a great bustle as the Capulet household prepares for the wedding."
"Capulet is delighted that his daughter has now fallen in with his plans - so delighted that he brings the wedding date forward by one day."
" "
"Despite his wife's protests, Capulet insists that the wedding shall take place the next day."
" "
"*COMMENTARY"
"There is great irony in this scene caused by Juliet playing the part of the submissive daughter so well."
6
"*COMMENTARY scene ii (cont.)"
" "
"Her actions upset the Friar's plan and indirectly cause the final tragedy."
" "
"The bustle of this scene also adds to the feeling that the play is rushing forward at a great pace."
"The audience feels swept away by the unstoppable force of what is about to happen."
9
"*scene iii"
" "
"Juliet asks her mother and the Nurse to leave her alone in her room."
" "
"When they are gone she reveals her fears of the terrifying action she is about to take."
"However, she steels herself, and bravely takes the potion."
" "
"*COMMENTARY"
"This scene raises our sympathy for Juliet. Her doubts and fears are realistic ones, and she is facing her ordeal totally alone."
10
"*scene iv"
" "
"The Capulets and their servants are all rushing around to prepare for the wedding later in the day."
"Capulet is in a good mood, and there is much lively banter."
" "
"*COMMENTARY"
"This is obviously a time-filling scene, stretching the time between Juliet drinking the potion and the discovery of her 'body'."
"Again Shakespeare creates a sense of bustling haste."
" "
"The dramatic irony is apparent - the audience knows that the intended bride is lying near death."
8
"*scene v"
" "
"Going to wake Juliet, the Nurse finds her apparently dead. Her parents and the rest of the household are raised in alarm"
"Only Friar Lawrence remains calm amongst the confusion, coolly instructing the family what to do."
" "
"Capulet gives instructions that the preparation for the wedding will now go toward Juliet's funeral."
" "
"After everyone else leaves, the musicians joke and clown amongst themselves for a few minutes."
9
"*COMMENTARY (scene v)"
" "
"The interest in this scene lies in the reactions of the major characters. Each reveals his grief slightly differntly."
"Notice especially the beautiful words of Capulet:"
"*Death lies on her like an untimely frost"
"*Upon the sweetest flower of all the field."
"Paris and Lady Capulet also seem sincere in their grief, although the latter's first reaction can be seen as mainly selfish."
"Friar Lawrence of course, is the calmest character, as he knows the truth."
"For contrast, and to lighten the sadness of the scene, Shakespeare uses the clowning around of the musicians."
