Act 3, Scene 1 Summary

Mercutio and Benvolio are seen waiting for Romeo on the street. However, Tybalt sees them first and tells them he is looking for Romeo, so he can avenge Romeo for disrespectfully gatecrashing the Capulets’ feast. Mercutio challenges Tybalt to a duel. Romeo, who holds no grudge against the Capulets, enters and tries to hold back Mercutio, but Tybalt stabs Mercutio and exits. Mercutio is then led out of the stage by Benvolio. Shortly, Benvolio returns with news of Mercutio’s death. Meanwhile, Tybalt reappears; Romeo stabs him upon seeing him, and exits. The Prince, along with the Montagues and the Capulets enter, and Benvolio gives them a full account of the events that had just transpired. The Prince, refusing to accept Romeo’s innocence, banishes him from Verona.

Act 3, Scene 1 Analysis

This scene focuses not only on love and romance but explores stereotypical masculine values, such as pride and honor. Romeo states in this scene that his love for Juliet has made him “effeminate,” reiterating the patriarchal notion of the Elizabethan era that love is a feminine attribute, whereas honor is a masculine one. Romeo’s behavior highlights that he is not just a lovelorn man eager for romance but also one prone to impulsive, emotional actions. This, in turn, urges the audience to question his decision to marry Juliet.

Act 3, Scene 2 Summary

In her chamber, awaiting Romeo, Juliet delivers refined soliloquies in praise of her lover. The Nurse enters bearing ill news. She is incoherent, and Juliet gathers that someone has died, or possibly been murdered. Juliet assumes the worst, but the Nurse tells her the truth. Juliet immediately criticizes Romeo for his false assurance of peace between the families. When the Nurse joins her in talking ill of Romeo, Juliet condemns her. Juliet exclaims that Romeo’s banishment is worse than Tybalt’s death and fears she may never be able to experience her wedding night with Romeo. The Nurse assures her that Romeo is in hiding and that the two “star-crossed lovers” will eventually experience conjugal bliss. Juliet hands over a ring to the Nurse to give to Romeo as her (Juliet’s) token of love.

Act 3, Scene 2 Analysis

The scene depicts Juliet’s conflicting loyalties. On the one hand, she is still a Capulet and is expected to be distraught about Tybalt’s death. On the other hand, she feels compelled by her love for Romeo to take his side. Eventually, however, it is Juliet’s affection for Romeo that prevails. The scene marks Juliet’s transition from a daughter to a wife, which, in turn, points to her shifting loyalties as well.

Act 3, Scene 3 Summary

Romeo is seen hiding in the chapel, worrying about his punishment. Friar Lawrence, however, informs Romeo that he is lucky to have been spared the death sentence. Romeo feels banishment might be worse than the death sentence since he may not be able to unite with Juliet. Romeo thus prepares to stab himself. Just then the Nurse enters and snatches away the dagger. The Friar admonishes Romeo for being unmanly and tells him that he should feel lucky as both he and Juliet are still alive. He hatches a plan for Romeo to leave Verona for Mantua before morning. The Nurse gives Romeo the ring, a physical symbol of the troubled couple’s love.

Act 3, Scene 3 Analysis

While in the balcony scene Romeo was willing to disassociate himself from the Montagues, so he could live peacefully with Juliet, he now realizes that he will mainly be seen as a feuding Montague for having murdered Tybalt. His name, he feels, is stuck to his body like a curse. In fact, he goes so far as to deny any personal responsibility for his situation, suggesting instead that he was bound to suffer on account of being a Montague.

Act 3, Scene 4 Summary

After a night of mourning for Tybalt, the Capulets, along with Paris, prepare to retire for the night. They discuss Juliet’s seemingly wretched condition, which they think is due to the death of her cousin Tybalt. The Capulets think it is best to get Juliet married off to Paris to pull her out of her misery. They even decide to hold their wedding later in the week. Capulet then asks Lady Capulet to inform Juliet about her wedding to Paris.

Act 3, Scene 4 Analysis

Central to this scene is the fact the Capulets are unaware of Juliet’s marriage to Romeo. Interestingly enough, neither does Juliet tell them about her marriage. The Capulets thus assume that Juliet is grief-stricken owing to Tybalt’s death; they further assume that marrying her to Paris would be good for all parties. Readers cannot rule out the possibility that, in the wake of their fight with the Montagues, Juliet’s marriage to Paris would help the Capulets gain a political ally. That Paris is rather close to the Prince strengthens this suggestion.

Act 3, Scene 5 Summary

After spending the night together, Romeo and Juliet are seen lying together in bed when the Nurse announces Lady Capulet’s arrival. Romeo bids farewell to Juliet and climbs down the ladder. Lady Capulet informs Juliet of her wedding to Paris, but Juliet refuses to marry him. Capulet enters, and is furious that Juliet has turned down the marriage. He calls Juliet a “young baggage.” Even the Nurse, who almost always sides with Juliet, counsels her to marry Paris. When she leaves, Juliet calls the Nurse an “ancient damnation.”

Act 3, Scene 5 Analysis

This scene marks Juliet’s troubled transition out of a rather carefree childhood. Juliet might not be an adult by age, but she is expected to act and make decisions like an adult, even if the latter merely means complying to her parents’ wishes. Her refusal to marry Paris and Capulet’s anger at her refusal are particularly pivotal. Also noteworthy are her interactions with the Nurse during this period. The Nurse, too, finds herself torn between wanting the best for Juliet and letting Juliet live life as she pleases, even if that entails letting Juliet make serious mistakes.