Romeo and JulietAct 4 – Scene 1 & 2

Ashley, Kathryn, Julia & Mark

Plot AdvancementAct IV, Scenes I and II are two of the final scenes before the

climax and set the circumstance for how the climax and the rest of the plot will develop into the end of the play. These two scenes are key moments in the play because it puts in motion the section of the prologue that states “A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life”, which is the climax itself. These scenes also allude to the audience what will end the lovers lives and what will end the family’s feuding. The audience already knows that Romeo and Juliet’s love does not end well, but these scenes allow them to speculate what will happened as it makes it seem as if the two characters may have a chance at a happy ending.

Character DevelopmentJuliet: In the first few scenes Juliet is more reserved and

close-minded. This is because she never thought about being in love or getting married until meeting Romeo. “It is an honor that I dream not of.”(Act 1 Scene 3 Line: 67) Juliet then changes into a more energetic and mature young woman who is interested in getting married. “Go, ask his name.-If he be married,”(Act 1 Scene 5 Line: 134)

Character DevelopmentNurse: The nurse starts off being very caring towards

Juliet and always helps her with what she wants to do. For example: Juliet wants Nurse to go and find Romeo and ask him a bout the marriage as she does. Near the end, the nurse goes against what Juliet wants and then tells her to marry the prince. “Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married the County.”(Act 3 Scene 5 Line: 218-219)

Character DevelopmentCapulet: In the beginning of the play, Capulet was very

happy and an out-going man/father. He liked to make people happy by throwing them a party. “Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes unplagued with corns will have a bout with you.” (Act 1 Scene 5 Line: 18-19) Towards the end of the play he becomes disagreeable and not understanding towards Juliet when she says that she does not want to marry the prince. “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o'Thursday, Or never after look me in the face.” (Act 3 Scene 5 Line: 161-163)

Relationship DevelopmentJuliet’s Relationship with Romeo:

In the beginning of Act IV, scene I we are shown the full extent of Juliet’s love for Romeo. Although in the previous acts Romeo has been very passionate about expressing his love for Juliet, she has been more hesitant in comparison. In Scene I of Act IV, Juliet reveals her desperation to remain with Romeo and the consequences she is willing to enact upon herself if she is unable too, threatening to take her own life. Instead she is given another option by Friar Lawrence and is willing to forsake her family, friends, and home, by vowing to fake her own death in hopes of being reunited with Romeo. This scene develops and depicts Juliet’s side of her relationship to Romeo. The scene also shows the trials that their relationship must endure as star-crossed lovers.

Relationship DevelopmentJuliet’s Relationship with her Parents:

In Act IV, Scene II we watch Juliet as her relationship with her parents deteriorates further, after previously refusing to marry Paris at the end of Act III. Her relationship worsens again as she deceives her parents into thinking that she intends to willing marry Paris and is willing to lose them forever as long as she is reunited with Romeo. Her parents believe that they’re helping her by marrying her to Paris, but in actual fact are giving her a fate she would rather die then have. Throughout the entire novel Juliet and her parents relationship has been untruthful and somewhat detached although they do genuinely seem to care for her. Regardless, Juliet’s love for Romeo is once again shown as more of a priority then her love for her family or her parents.

Theme DevelopmentLove as a cause of violence:Meaning: Hate, violence, death, loveThis theme is well represented during Act 4 Scene 1.

During a conversation between Juliet and Friar Laurence, Juliet insists the help of Friar Laurence- and if he chooses not to help, she will potentially kill herself, “Do thou but call my resolution wise, And with this knife I’ll help it presently.” Although no real action is taken by Juliet, it shows that she is committed to Romeo, and will do whatever it takes to not marry Paris.

Theme DevelopmentThe forcefulness of love:Meaning: Love as an overpowering forceDuring Act 4 Scene 2,

Juliet returns to the Capulet house and speaks with her father. What is unknown to Capulet, is that Juliet is lying to him. “To beg your pardon. Parson, I beech you! Henceforward I am ever rul’d by you.” As we know, Juliet has no intention of marrying Paris, or obeying her fathers wishes.

This scene shows how Juliet’s love for Romeo is so powerful that she is willing to go against her family, and the people she loves, just to be with Romeo.

ImageryThe imagery in Scene 4.1 of Romeo and Juliet that they are trying

to describe is dark and gloomy because of the dark place Juliet had to retreat to over her sorrow for Romeo being banished because he had killed Tybalt. Then her father tried to force her to marry Paris or she would be banished from her family.

The imagery in Scene 4.2 that Shakespeare is trying to portray is that the darkness is lifting from Juliet so the area is much brighter, the people around her are much happier and she’s back at home with her family. The reason for this is that she made a plan with Friar Lawrence so she could be with Romeo and be happy with him again.

Key PassageA key passage in Act 4 is Act 4, Scene 1, Line: 89-94. Friar Laurence

says: “Hold, then. Go home, be merry, give consent to marry Paris. Wednesday is to-morrow. To-morrow night look that thou lie alone; Let not thy nurse lay with thee in thy chamber. Take thou this vial, being then in bed, and this distilled liquor drink thou off;” This is a key passage because it is the crucial moment when Juliet makes the decision to take the potion which later on result taking her life.

Another key passage in Act 4 is Act 4, Scene 2, Line: 25-27. Juliet says: “I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell, and gave him what becomed love I might, Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty. This is a key passage because she really didn’t give the prince any love- she only got the potion.

ContrastA part in this scene where there is contrast is when Friar

Laurence gives Juliet the potion. He gives it to her intending for it to be used with a good outcome so that she could go to sleep and forget about all the stress that has been going on. “A thing like death to chide away this shame, That copest with death himself to 'scape from it; And, if thou darest, I'll give thee remedy.”(Act 4 Scene 1 Line: 75-77) The potion that was to be used for good ended up being bad by the death of both Romeo and Juliet.

SymbolismOne symbol that occurs in this scene is the

poison/potion. This specific poison was suppose to represent calmness and stillness but in the end it represents something completely different. Romeo come to see Juliet and she wakes up after he kills himself. That results in her taking her own life. When Juliet takes the poison, she doesn't know what she is getting herself into.

Scene’s PurposeThe two first scenes of Act 4 are what leads up to the

climax.In scene one, Juliet receives help from Friar Laurence-

“Let not thy nurse lie with thee in thy chamber: Take thou this vial, being then in bed,” Without this scene, and the help of the Friar, there would be no plan, and no potential resolution for the ‘star-crossed lovers”

Without these scenes, there would be no tragic death, and no resolution between the two families.