Romeo and Juliet, Act 3 Summary
Act 3, Scene 1
Location: A public place
Characters: Benvolio, Mercutio, Tybalt, Romeo, Officer, Prince, Lady Capulet
Time: Monday Afternoon
Events: Mercutio was mad that Romeo refused Tybalt’s challenge and a fight begins. In the fight, Mercutio (by Tybalt) and Tybalt are killed (by Romeo). Prince declares that Romeo is banished from Verona.
‘O, I am fortune’s fool.’ – Romeo
‘This day’s black fate on moe days doth depend, this but begins the woe others must end.’ – Romeo
Act 3, Scene 2
Location: Capulet’s house
Characters: Juliet, Nurse
Time: Monday Night
Events: Juliet waits for Romeo, and Nurse puts out the ladder. Juliet finds out form Nurse that Tybalt is dead, slain by Romeo, and Romeo is now banished from Verona. Juliet accepts what happens but is sad that Romeo is banished because now she will never sex with Romeo, and she will die a virgin.
‘Come, cords, come, Nurse, I’ll to my wedding bed, and death, not Romeo, to take my maidenhead!’ – Juliet
Act 3, Scene 3
Location: Friar Lawrence’s cell
Characters: Friar Lawrence, Romeo, Nurse
Time: Late Monday Night
Events: Romeo hides out at Friar Lawrence and someone knocks on the door, They panic but discover it is the Nurse. Romeo says he would rather be dead then leave Verona. Nurse gives Romeo Juliet’s ring. The plan is for Romeo to accept his banishment and then Friar Lawrence is going to persuade the Prince to unbanish Romeo.
‘With blood remov’d but little from her own’ – Romeo
‘There is no world without Verona walls, but purgatory, torture, hell itself:’ – Romeo
Act 3, Scene 4
Location: Capulet’s house
Characters: Capulet, Paris, Lady Capulet
Time: Monday Late Evening
Events: Capulet makes plans with Paris for Juliet to marry Paris. Paris is going to marry her on Thursday.
‘Of my childs love: I think she will be rul’d, In all respects by me; nay more, I doubt it not.’ – Capulet
Act 3, Scene 5
Location: Juliet’s bedroom
Characters: Romeo, Juliet, Nurse, Lady Capulet, Capulet
Time: Very early Tuesday Morning
Events: Romeo talks to Juliet. The Nurse comes in to warn Romeo that Lady Capulet is coming. Lady Capulet talks to Juliet about the planned marriage with Paris. Juliet doesn’t want to marry him and Capulets thinks that Juliet is a spoiled brat because she isn’t taking the opportunity to marry someone rich and worthy.
‘If all else fail, myself have the power to die.’ – Juliet