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.
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