Romeo and Juliet Act 4 Study Guide

Why is Friar Laurence reluctant to marry Paris to Juliet? He already has married Romeo and Juliet
How does Paris explain the sudden haste of the marriage plans? Lord Capulet insisted upon it; trying to cheer up Juliet
What is ironic about the conservation between Juliet and Paris? She speaks of love – he thinks Juliet is talking about him when she actually is talking about Romeo
If Friar Laurence cannot help her, what does Juliet threaten to do? Kill herself
Why does Friar Laurence think that Juliet will accept his plan? If she’s willing to kill herself, then she should be willing to ALMOST die
Describe the Friar’s plan for Juliet. Go home, apologize to dad, agrees to marry Paris, and take the potion
What does Juliet say that makes her father happy? She’s sorry for disobeying him; she will now do what he wants
How does Capulet change the wedding plans? What implication does this have? He moves Juliet and Paris’s wedding to Wednesday; Romeo and Friar do not know this; Juliet must make a decision
How does Juliet show her maturity and independence in this scene? She decides to take the potion; trusts that Romeo and Friar will be there when she awakens
If the potion does not work, what will Juliet do? Stab herself with a dagger
What are some of the fears Juliet has about the potion? She will suffocate; Friar makes poison, not potion; she will wake up and go crazy and bash her brains in
Describe the imagery Shakespeare uses in describing Juliet’s “death”? “death lies on her like an untimely frost” – Lord Capulet
What is happening in scene 4? The Capulets are getting ready for the wedding/feast
What does Friar Laurence say to comfort the Capulet family? Juliet is in heaven now
What event are the Capulets preparing for after Juliet dies? Juliet’s funeral