Act 4, Scene 1 Summary

Juliet arrives at the chapel just as Paris is seen discussing his marriage to Juliet with Friar Lawrence. She is forced to talk to Paris, who talks to her haughtily. She wants to talk to Friar Lawrence alone and when the Friar obliges, Paris is forced to leave the scene. Friar Lawrence then lets Juliet in on an elaborate plan to save her marriage. He gives her a potion that will make her appear dead for around 42 hours, so she could convincingly stage her death. Meanwhile, the Friar would send for Romeo, who, barring any mishap, would rescue Juliet from the Capulets’ vault, so the two of them could finally elope.

Act 4, Scene 1 Analysis

It would not be amiss to say that the Friar is perhaps the most scheming character in the play. First with Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage, and now with this elaborate plan to stage Juliet’s death, the Friar seems to be a mastermind. Yet, Shakespeare does not imbue this character with malice. Instead, the Friar is presented as a wise man who is willing to improvise even if it means coming across as scheming. He also has to deal with the potentially adverse repercussions of marrying Romeo and Juliet should the feuding families find out.

Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

Upon returning, Juliet apologizes for her misbehavior and tells her parents that she is ready to marry Paris. Delighted at Juliet’s decision, Capulet, despite Lady Capulet’s protests, decides to move up the wedding by a day fearing that Juliet might change her mind. Juliet is asked to prepare for the wedding, as the Capulets leave to inform Paris of Juliet’s acquiescence.

Act 4, Scene 2 Analysis

The scene sheds more light on the Capulets’ marital life. Lady Capulet tells her husband that moving up the wedding day might not be feasible, but he disregards her protest altogether. Though this is an unprecedented event, it nonetheless makes the audience wonder if Capulet is at all capable of handling differences of opinion with his wife. The dynamic between Capulet and Lady Capulet could very well be regarded as a window into Juliet’s life with Paris should their wedding take place.

Act 4, Scene 3 Summary

At night, Juliet asks Lady Capulet and the Nurse to let her sleep alone. Expectedly, they are both unaware of Juliet’s plan. After they leave, Juliet sets Friar Lawrence’s plan into motion. Interestingly, she is also prepared to kill herself if the Friar’s plan fails. To this end, she keeps a dagger by her side, since she would rather die than live without Romeo. The potion does work, however.

Act 4, Scene 3 Analysis

Juliet continues to grow apart from her mother and the Nurse. She wonders if the Friar’s intentions are really good; he will after all be in danger should the feuding families find out about his role in Romeo and Juliet’s marriage. Hence, she suspects that he might have given her actual poison. Since Juliet has already decided to kill herself if she cannot live with Romeo, she remains unperturbed by this possibility.

Act 4, Scene 4 Summary

The next morning, Capulet sends the Nurse to fetch Juliet.

Act 4, Scene 4 Analysis

This scene serves a transitional purpose and helps advance the play**#x2019;s storyline.

Act 4, Scene 5 Summary

The Nurse finds Juliet dead and begins to mourn. She is soon joined by Lady Capulet and Capulet. Paris arrives, accompanied by Friar Lawrence and a group of musicians. Realizing what has happened, Paris joins the mourning. The Friar commiserates with them before urging them to prepare Juliet for her funeral.

Act 4, Scene 5 Analysis

The Friar seems convincingly committed to the deception he has set forth against both families. The air in the Capulet household changes from that of happiness to sorrow. Throughout the play, the wedding of Romeo and Juliet is compared to death. The false death of Juliet only accentuates this narrative.