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STUDYWORLD STUDYNOTES

Romeo and Juliet

Act Four, Scene One

Juliet now hurries to the Friar's cell, both to confess her filial disobedience and to see Romeo. There she meets Paris, who was arranging for their forthcoming marriage. Though Juliet openly confesses to loving another, Paris mistakes her words as a declaration towards him and promises that they would be married in bliss.

After he leaves, Juliet turns to Friar Lawrence for help. The Friar has a plan: He gives her a vial with a potion inside that will make her appear to be dead, but in reality would only bring on a long sleep. When her family discovers her "lifeless" body, they would place it in the Capulets' tomb, and the Friar would then send for Romeo to rescue her and take her away from Verona.

Act Four, Scene Two

The Capulets rejoice when Juliet returns home and tells her family that she will consent to marry Paris.

Act Four, Scene Three

On the evening before the wedding, when Juliet is all alone, she partakes of the potion

Act Four, Scene Four

There is a hustle and bustle in the Capulet household and everyone is preparing for the wedding. Suddenly Capulet hears music in the distance and he knows that Paris is approaching. He tells the Nurse to, "waken Juliet [and] trim her up."

Act Four, Scene Five

The Nurse does what she is told but when she reaches Juliet's room and is unable to arouse her, she surmises that Juliet is dead and calls for help.

When the Friar and Paris arrive to seek the bride, they find the parents filled with grief. They take Juliet's limp body, according to the Friar's prediction, to the family tomb.