Act 4, Scene 1

Location: Friar Lawrence’s cell

Character: Paris, Friar Lawrence, Juliet.

Time: Tuesday Morning

Events: Paris and Juliet talk for the first time. Paris can tell that Juliet has been crying a lot and he doesn’t like it because he says that he basically owns her face, and by crying, she is abusing her face. Paris thinks he owns Juliet. Juliet thinks there is no other way to get rid of her pain other than committing suicide, but asks Friar Lawrence if there is any other option. Friar Lawrence says there is and tell her the plan. She is going to take a vile and mix the contents with liquor. It will turn her into a deathlike state for 42 hours. Friar Lawrence is going to tell Romeo about the plan.

‘Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford.’ – Juliet

Act 4, Scene 2,3,4

Events: The Capulets are preparing for the wedding. Juliet agrees to marry Paris and to obey her father so the wedding is moved to Wednesday. Juliet is worried that the potion may kill her. She thinks this because Friar has already married her and Romeo so it would be wrong of him to marry her again. She puts her dagger beside her incase the potion doesn’t work. She would rather kill herself then marry Paris. There is chaos in the kitchen. Capulet orders Nurse to wake Juliet and get her ready.

Act 4, Scene 5

Location: Juliet’s bedroom

Characters: Nurse, Lady Capulet, Capulet, Friar Lawrence, Paris, First Musician, Second Musician

Time: Wednesday morning

Events: Nurse goes to wake Juliet. She discovers that Juliet is ‘dead’ and calls Lady Capulet. She is devastated and says that she has lost her only child, the reason for her living. Then Capulet enters and then Paris, Friar Lawrence and Musicians. Friar Lawrence tries to calm everyone down by saying she has gone to a happy place and we should be happy for her.

‘O me, O me! My child, My only life, revive, look up, or I will die with thee!’ – Lady Capulet