Romeo and Juliet: Act IV Reading and Study Guide

Why is Friar Lawrence reluctant to marry Paris to Juliet? She is married to Romeo already
How does Paris explain the sudden haste of the marriage plans? His father-in-law tells him what to do, and that the haste is to stop Juliet’s tears before she gets sick.
What is ironic about the conversation between Juliet and Paris? She says she doesn’t love him but he doesn’t get it.
If Friar Lawrence cannot help her, what does Juliet threaten to do? Commit suicide
What does Friar Lawrence think that Juliet will accept his plan? She believes anything at this point because she is in a desperate point of mind.
Describe the Friars plan for Juliet that she would drink a potion and appear to be dead.
What does Juliet say that makes her father happy? She will listen to her father, marry Paris, and be happy.
How does Capulet change the wedding plans? What implication does this have? He changes the date of the wedding. The Friar’s plans will not work out in time.
How does Juliet show her maturity and independence in this scene? Juliet tells the Nurse & her mother to let her pray and self reflect. She wants them to prepare for the wedding and leave her alone.
If the potion does not work, what will Juliet do? She threatens to kill herself with a dagger
What are the 5 fears Juliet has about the potion? What is the Friar is trying to kill her? What if I wake up before Romeo comes and suffocate? What if I see all of my ancestors’ bones and go crazy? What if I play with my relatives bones? What if I use a relatives bone as a club to bash out my brains?
What is happening in Act 4, scene 4? Everyone is making wedding preparations and, the Nurse is going to wake up Juliet for the wedding
Describe the imagery Shakespeare uses in describing Juliet’s “death.” Cold, blood has set, limbs are stiff, life passing from her lips – visual pictures using word (imagery) frost on the flowers — winter = death. Death is being personified.
What does Friar Lawrence say to comfort the Capulet family? Heaven has her soul. She is in a better place.
What event are the Capulets now preparing for? a funeral
lament (n) A passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
lament (v) mourning
shroud (n) A length of cloth or an enveloping garment in which a dead person is wrapped for burial.
dismal (adj) depressing, gloomy
vial (n) A small cylindrical container made of glass used for holding liquid medicines.
loathsome (adj) Causing hatred or disgust; repulsive.
protagonist (n) The leading character or one of the major characters in a drama, movie, novel, or other fictional text.
antagonist (n) A person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.