R&J+Act+Summaries

__ Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Notes __ by Cat Li **Scene 1:** Summary: Tybalt walks in on Mercutio and Benvolio talking and tries provoking them. Romeo arrives and Tybalt calls him a villain. Then Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight but Romeo refuses. Mercutio steps in and fights Tybalt. Romeo tries to break up the fight and steps between them. Tybalt kills Mercutio under Romeo’s arm. After Mercutio is killed under Romeo’s arm, Romeo sets out for revenge because he feels guilty for being the cause of Mercutio’s death. Mercutio does not take responsibility for his actions, but blames fate. Romeo confesses his love for Juliet, and then Romeo fights Tybalt, whom he eventually kills. The Prince arrives after the fight and banishes Romeo to Manchua.

**Other notes:** __ Why is the way that Tybalt killed Mercutio included? __ Seems like it is Romeo’s fault, so he has to avenge him. Romeo feels guilty, and because he put his arm in the way, this gives Tybalt a way to kill Mercutio. Since Romeo did not want to fight, Mercutio stepped in, resulting in him getting killed. This is Romeo’s fault twice.

Mercutios last lines: PUN- ‘grave man’; meaning serious and dead. He is joking up until the last minute before he dies.

Mercutio suffers the consequences of his own actions (fighting when Romeo didn’t want to), but blames it on the Capulets.

Romeo blames fate for killing Tybalt, and does not take responsibility. Is it really fate’s fault?

Benvolio is wise and peaceful and tries to stop the fight.

Tybalt insults Romeo throughout this scene. Shows his true personality of hot headedness and hatefulness. Keeps feud between familiesalive.

Dramatic irony: The audience knows that since Romeo and Juliet are now married, they are cousins. Tybalt does not know this, but the audience does.

What does it mean to be a man in the world of the play?: To be a man in the play is to fight, win, and gain honor in doing so. Men like Mercutio and Tybalt believe this, but Romeo is against it.

Houses: Capulets and Montagues are the two main families of the play. Mercutio curses them both (“Plague o’both your houses!” (3.1.87)). This is foreshadowing- it gives audience a sense of foreboding. Fate also plays a part in this- is it fated from this point on that more people will die? Romeo is quarantined because he is accused of having the plague- is this fate of what Mercutio said?

**Scene 2:** Summary: Juliet is waiting for Romeo to come back so they can get married. She has no idea that Romeo has killed her cousin Tybalt. The Nurse comes back and brings Juliet the news of what happened. At first Juliet is distraught because she thought it was Romeo who was killed, but when she learns it was really Tybalt, she becomes defensive. She defends Romeo’s actions because his own life would have been taken if he had not acted. The Nurse goes to find Romeo at Friar Lawrence’s cell. This leads to the arrangement with the sleeping potion.

**Other notes:** Speed words in epithalamium: emphasizes her impatience for Romeo to come back.

“Spread thy close curtain, love performing Night” (3.2.5). Juliet wants night to come fast because it is the only time she can be with Romeo. Their love can light up their faces. Night hides their secret love.

Phaëton- Greek god who pulled sun across the sky. Juliet wants him to come faster so night will come.

Juliet is a wife, but is still a virgin. She compares this metaphor with a house. “O, I have bought the mansion of a love,/But not possessed it, and thought I am sold,/Not yet enjoyed” (3.2.26). She is waiting to lose her virginity and compares it to a festival. “So tedious is this day/As is the night before some festival/To an impatient child that hath new robes/And may not wear them” (3.2.28).

When Juliet compares Romeo to cutting him up and putting him in the sky as stars, seems very violent, obsessed, and sadistic, but it is put in a romantic way. “Give me my Romeo, and when I shall die,/ Take him and cut him out in little stars” (3.2.21).

Juliet does not know that Romeo has been exiled. She is waiting for him to come back for the wedding night. This creates dramatic irony.

Massive lines of oxymorons: (3.2.75). Compares Romeo to oxymorons. Ex: Wolvish-ravening lamb- Romeo is a lamb who killed. He is beautiful yet aggressive. Violence is hidden behind his face.

The beginning of scene 2 is romantic, then Juliet becomes confused and hates Romeo for a few lines. Then, Juliet defends him when Nurse shames him. She says he is her husband, and should be honored. Connection: when you complain about a sibling, your friend cannot agree or else you get defensive. Family always has a special place in your heart.

If Romeo is banished, everyone else might as well be dead. “Is father, mother, Tybalt, Romeo, Juliet,/ All slain all dead. ‘Romeo is banishèd!’” (3.2.123). She would rather have them dead than Romeo banished. This is an example of a hyperbole. However, if Juliet did something sensible, like follow Romeo to Manchua, the play would end immediately.

**Scene 3:** Summary: Romeo is in despair. He wants to commit suicide because he cannot be with Juliet now that he has been banished. He does not even consider that Juliet can come back. Anyone and anything except for Romeo can see Juliet. Since he cannot, he would rather be dead. The Nurse arrives and tries to stab himself when he hears that Juliet is distraught. Friar Lawrence then tells him that Romeo can be rescued from banishment.

**Other notes:** “O then I see that mad men have no ears./How should they when that wise men have no eyes?” (3.3.61). - Romeo, mad with grief, is not listening to what Friar Lawrence has to say. The Friar accuses him of this. Romeo, young, accuses Friar Lawrence of not being able to see his pain.

Romeo and Juliet are reacting in the same way- suicide because they can’t be with each other.

Romeo wants to dig out his Montague-ness with a dagger. “Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack/ The hateful mansion.” (3.3.107).

Friar Lawrence compares Romeo to a woman, who he compares to a wild beast. “Thy tears are womanish, thy wild acts denote/ The unreasonable fury of a beast” (3.3.110).

**Scene 4:** Summary: Capulet has not yet talked about marriage with Juliet because of Tybalt’s death. Paris is not very happy about this. Lady Capulet volunteers to talk to Juliet and get her to agree to marry Paris. Then the Capulets and Paris make wedding plans.

**Other notes:** Moves the plot forward because Juliet does not want to marry Paris, so she takes drastic actions and drinks the potion.

Dramatic irony: Paris wants to get married to Juliet, but audience knows that Juliet is already married.

Excuse for Juliet getting married so quickly: Cheers people up after Tybalt’s death. Real reason: If they don’t get married on Thursday, Paris might find another girl to marry.

Time pressure on Romeo and Juliet, so they make poor decisions.

**Scene 5:** Summary: Romeo spends the night with Juliet, but when morning breaks, he must leave. Juliet tries to persuade him to stay, but she eventually lets him go. Lady Capulet comes in to talk to Juliet about Paris. Juliet is crying about Romeo leaving, but Lady Capulet mistakes it as tears for Tybalt. She vows to get her vengeance on Romeo. She then tells Juliet that Juliet will marry Paris on Thursday, which Juliet refuses to do. Lord Capulet then comes in and yells at her for not wanting to marry Paris. The Nurse tries to defend Juliet, but fails. Juliet turns to Nurse for help, but she also encourages Juliet to marry Paris.

**Other notes:** Nightingales and larks- Nightingale symbolizes night, lark symbolizes morning. Juliet says it is still nighttime, but Romeo thinks that it is now morning.

When Romeo leaves, he will not appear until the tomb. He does not appear in Act 4.

Literary technique- foreshadowing between when Nurse comes in and Romeo leaves. “Methinks I see thee now, thou art so low,/ As one dead in the bottom of a tomb” (3.5.55). Juliet is eventually ‘dead’ in a tomb.

Lady Capulet has no sympathy for the day after Tybalt dies. This shows her as a cold-hearted person.

“And yet no man like he doth grieve my heart” (3.5.83) - Double meaning. Can be interpreted as agreeing with her mother or grieving that Romeo left.

Lady Capulet wants to kill Romeo. This portrays her as a vengeful murderer.

Juliet makes Lady Capulet think that she would rather marry Romeo rather than Paris, but Romeo is really the one she wants to marry. This creates dramatic irony because the audience already knows that Juliet is married to Romeo.

Why was Capulet so mad and changed his mind about Juliet’s consent to marrying Paris?
 * 1) Juliet is being disobedient for the first time in 13 years.
 * 2) Paris has been pestering him for so long.
 * 3) Women were expected to be obedient to husbands and father.
 * 4) Might lose face.
 * 5) Nurse made him more mad.
 * 6) Create tension and conflict- needed to isolate Juliet and make stupid choices to make more believable. Time pressure makes Juliet not think.

Father is forcing Juliet to marry Paris, Mother is just done with her. Juliet turns to nurse.

Amanda Wisbeck
 * __ Act 1 __**


 * Scene 1 ** : starts in mid-conversation between two of the Capulet’s servants, Shakespeare uses the dialogue between them including puns and sexual language to create humor and entertainment for the audience. The two servants want to fight Montagues; they know that it’s not allowed so they are trying to heat up the situation so that the Montagues will strike. As the intension increases, before a fight occurs Benvolio stops them for the law does not allow it. Tybalt appears and fires it up as he speaks in lines 60-62. Tybalt’s temper contrasts with Benvolio’s calmness creating juxtaposition. When the Prince comes in to end the fighting, he uses many command words and threats because he expects to be listened to shown in lines 77-79. Afterwards when Benvolio is talking to the Montague parents Benvolio insists to talk to Romeo, finding out that Romeo is in love with Rosaline, but is miserable because of unrequited love.

A servant of the Capulet’s, receives the invitation list from Capulet. However, Peter cannot read, so he asks Romeo and Benvolio who have just walked by, if they can read. This is when Romeo discovers that Rosaline will be at the party, Benvolio uses Rosaline’s beauty to convince Romeo to attend the fest because he claims that Romeo will not believe that Rosaline is as beautiful as she seems once she is around other women.
 * Scene 2: ** Paris asking for Capulet’s blessing to marry Juliet. Capulet says that he will not agree unless Juliet do so first and he also talks of her age and maturity whether she is ready to be married.


 * Scene 3: ** Juliet is first introduced to the audience. The audience learns about the Nurse and Lady Capulet through Shakespeare’s use of juxtaposition because the Nurse makes jokes and funny remarks, as Lady Capulet appears very formal. Lady Capulet judges people from their appearance because she automatically believes that Paris will be a good husband to Juliet due to the fact that he is handsome.

Shakespearean scholars have discussed whether it was added to the script later on, or if it hadn’t been why would Shakespeare add it since it doesn’t support Mercutio’s character with the temper and lack of patience. The scene ends with Romeo giving in and going along with his friends.
 * Scene 4: ** Outside the Capulet mansion Romeo says he will not dance because he is upset over Rosaline. Mercutio attempts to cheer him up by laughter. The two of them get into a disagreement about dreams. Mercutio shares the story of Queen Mab and how dreams don’t mean anything.


 * Scene 5: ** Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. Juliet’s beauty captures his eye. Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice and tells Capulet of Romeo’s presence. Capulet tells him to stop trying to start a fight and Tybalt scolded by Capulet leaves the party. The last part of this scene is when Romeo and Juliet find out about each other’s backgrounds of how their families are enemies, but it is too late because they have fallen in love.


 * __ACT 2 – Dan Marino__**


 * Prologue** – Romeo no longer loves Rosaline, but now he loves Juliet. (Too quick?), Juliet’s family is still the enemy of Romeo’s family which will make it hard for them to be together (fated death?), Juliet is hooked by someone who she should fear, Love gives power, time gives them chances to meet, their love is dangerous


 * Scene 1 Summary** – Romeo goes to Juliet’s house, Mercutio is looking for him but fails, and he teases him


 * Analysis-** For entertainment (sexual humor), Mercutio only interested in sex, while Romeo is much more romantic (juxtaposition), Varies mood of the play (Scene before is romantic, this scene is rude, next scene is romantic)


 * Scene 2** **Summary**– Balcony scene, they express their love for each other, decide to get married


 * Analysis -** “He jests at scars that never felt a wound”, Romeo doesn’t want Juliet to be a virgin for the rest of her life unlike Rosaline (shows that he is both good and bad), Very poetic and romantic scene, Juliet confesses her love for Romeo without her knowing he’s there (she says that one of them has to get rid of their family for the other), talks about Romeo getting rid of his name, Romeo would rather die right now rather than live the rest of his life without Juliet, Juliet is embarrassed (she cannot deny her confession), Juliet is worried that their love is happening too fast, Juliet tells Romeo that if he’s honorable then they’ll get married tomorrow


 * Scene 3 Summary –** Romeo goes the Friar’s scene to get Friar to marry Romeo and Juliet. He agrees, as he thinks that this will end the feud between the families.


 * Analysis-** Romeo asks Friar Lawrence (old and authority) if he will marry Juliet and him, Back then they commonly celebrate pace by marrying sons and daughters from the opposite families, but because their parents don’t know and the families will blame each other. Friar thinks he’s making the right decision, but he’s not (**Theme: Are older people wiser than younger people?)**. Friar tells Romeo to wait awhile, but then he makes the quick decision to say yes (irony). Everybody makes mistakes,


 * Scene 4 Summary –** Tybalt challenges Romeo, Merucutio teases Romeo and then the Nurse, Romeo tells the nurse about their wedding plans, Nurse tells Romeo not to deceive Juliet


 * Analysis -** Mercutio thinks that Romeo is pathetic because Romeo has fell in love; Tybalt sends Romeo a letter challenging him because of Romeo showing at the party. Comedy when Mercutio and the other men tease the Nurse (Entertainment). We see Romeo change because he fell in love (happier and good sense of humor).


 * Scene 5 –** After a long time of complaining, the Nurse tell Juliet that Romeo has arranged the wedding (Humorous)


 * Scene 6 –** Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet

__**//General Overview://**__ The Act starts off with Romeo in Mantua, waiting for news of his wife, Juliet. Balthasar, his messenger, returns and delivers the news of the ‘death’ of Juliet. Romeo then goes to a apothecary to buy poison, which he will use to kill himself next to Juliet. The scene shifts and Scene 2 starts off with Friar John telling Friar Lawrence bad news of Romeo not receiving the letter. Friar Lawrence then decides to go to the crypt where Juliet lies. The scene then shifts again and Paris enters with a Page in front of the crypt. Paris mourns for Juliet when suddenly the Page informs him of a intruder. He hides into the shadows. Romeo then appears with Balthasar and tells Balthasar to leave him with threats of death. Romeo tries to open the crypt when Paris comes out and they fight. Paris dies and Romeo places him next to Juliet, where he takes the poison and dies too. Juliet then awakes, with the Friar trying to get her out of the area. He fails and Juliet stabs herself with Romeo’s dagger, thus ending the life of the two lovers.
 * __Act 5 Study Guide -__ ** ** __Steven Cheng__ **

__**//Act 5 Scene 1//**__ Romeo is in Mantua and talks happily of his strange dream. In his dream, he died but Juliet revived him with kisses. Romeo tells the audience of this dream because it foreshadows that he will die very soon, but instead of waking up, he will die with Juliet.

Balthasar enters and delivers the news of the death of Juliet to Romeo. Romeo plans to commit suicide in order to defy his fate [**Line 24 (then I defy you, stars!)]** of living forever unhappily and unsatisfied.

Romeo does not ask Balthasar for more information, which shows that he is **__impatient__** and __**impetuous**__, not analyzing whether the information is true or false. Then Romeo orders Balthasar to leave.

Romeo then starts to describe a shop (apothecary’s shop). Usually, the director of plays cut this part out since no one can fully describe why it is there. Some reasons might be that ‘Romeo is drunk’, ‘Romeo went insane from hearing the traumatic news’, ‘Adds more suspense to the story’.

Romeo goes to the apothecary and asks to buy some poison. The shopkeeper knows that the penalty for selling it is death. However, Romeo persuades him by mentioning the apothecary’s poverty and letting the apothecary see the good side of selling it (get money and buy food to eat). The apothecary then reluctantly gives the poison to Romeo.

__**//Act 5 Scene 2//**__ Friar John (the one supposed to send to letter to Romeo) comes back to Friar Lawrence telling him that he was unable to leave Mantua due to the suspicion that he had the plague. A coincidence is that before Mercutio dies, he curses both family by saying “A plague a’both houses! I am sped.”, and this may have caused the plague which complete destroys the plan. This also shows about how cruel fate could be. Friar Lawrence then decides to go to the crypt himself to find Juliet and wake her up and also to stop Romeo from doing something irrational.

__**//Act 5 Scene 3//**__ Paris visits Juliet and lay flowers and mourn for his loss. He doesn’t want to be disturbed, so asks his Page to keep watch. From this passage, we see that Paris actually really loved Juliet. After a while, the Page whistles to warn Paris that someone is coming...

Romeo comes in and is determined to break open the tomb. He gives Balthasar money, a suicide letter to his parents, and threats of killing him if he stayed. This shows that Romeo is starting to think about other people and becoming more aware of people. Balthasar promises to leave but hides in the shadows, observing Romeo.


 * Line 45 to Line 49 (Thou detestable...with more food):** These four lines mean that he will shove more food into the womb of death, showing a disgusting yet beautiful image of his love and faith in Juliet.

Paris suddenly appears and tries to stop Romeo by calling him vile and condemned. Romeo doesn’t want to fight him, but Paris ignores him and they fight. The Page runs off to find guards and Paris is slain.

Paris’s last words were to lie him beside Juliet, and Romeo lies Paris next to Juliet inside the tomb. (Interesting fact: Paris and Mercutio were actually related to the Prince, and not to the Capulets and Montagues.)


 * Line 88 to Line 96 (How oft when...not advancèd there):** Here, death is personified as war. Romeo uses battle imagery to convey death. If you lose, you die, if you win, you’re a survivor. However, Romeo says that even though Juliet is dead, she does not look green and disgusting. She still looks extremely beautiful with her red cheeks and lips. Romeo also claims that Juliet still looks alive. This shows dramatic irony since the audience knows that Juliet is actually still alive. In addition, we see more of Romeo’s flaws as he is too quick to act and not thinking it through.

Romeo enters the tomb and gazes on Juliet. He states that even though Juliet is dead, she still looks beautiful and “alive”. He asks Tybalt for forgiveness, and then drinks the potion and dies.

Friar Lawrence arrives and meets Balthasar. Balthasar tells the Friar about the events that had happened and Friar enters the tomb. The quote “ill unthrifty thing” shows that Friar Lawrence, instead of blaming himself, blames faith.

Juliet soon stirs and Friar Lawrence urges them to run away, but Juliet resolves to stay. The Friar, being a total coward, runs away. Juliet tries to kill herself with Romeo’s poison, but it is empty and she takes his dagger and stabs herself.

After Juliet kills herself, the Watch (police) comes in and finds the corpses. They also find Balthasar and Friar Lawrence and keep them in captive. Then enters the Prince, Lord and Lady Capulet, and Montague. They find Juliet newly dead with Romeo and Paris, all bleeding.


 * Line 292 to Line 295 (See what a scourge...All are punished):** The Prince is so __**cold**__ and __**emotionless**__ because he feels that it is both families’ fault since they have been fighting for so long. He feels that this is God’s punishment for disturbing Verona and killing people.

Friar Lawrence then explains the whole story to the party of people. Balthasar and the Page also pitch in and explain.

The Prince concludes the play promising pardon and punishing others.

Alisa Kong Prologue: The prologue is a sonnet that looks back on act 1 and tells us what happened. It discusses Romeo's old desire, Rosaline, and young affection, Juliet. His desire for Rosaline is his death-bed (old man dying); its gone. While his love for Juliet is the new man rising after the old man had died. Compared to Rosaline, Juliet is much more beautiful. - Romeo is a bit superficial, he falls in love just because Juliet is beautiful - Line 148 shows that Romeo is loving, which once again, seems foolish - Line 151 explains how Juliet is like a fish, and if she is going to get the bait, she has to avoid the hook - Line 153 means Romeo can't get Juliet if she is still an enemy - Line 156 means their love is so passionate that nothing will keep them apart - Line 157 says that there will be danger, but lots of love
 * __Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Notes__**
 * The bait is Romeo
 * The hook is the enemy of montagues/capulet
 * Foreshadowing

Scene 1: - Benvolio and Mercutio together - Romeo can’t leave the Capulet mansion, and wants to go see Juliet - Romeo broke the friendship rule, since he went to the party with Benvolio and Mercutio, but ditched them and left them after the party to go after Juliet - Benvolio and Mercutio are teasing and mocking Romeo of his love for Rosaline. (Mercutio is much cruder). But Romeo does not make a response, so Mercutio goes to sleep. - The two develop the plot - Mercutio dies later, so to make audience feel sad, made Mercutio appealing to the audience (a joker). - If you ask Mercutio what love is, he would say, “getting laid”. - But if you ask Romeo, he would say “beauty and light, and women is holy” - Scene shows the difference in characters, in their views of love. Establishes the different perspectives of love in men. - Compared to Mercutio, we see how romantic and poetic Romeo is, he is open to love and beauty, so this makes him more appealing. - Entertains the audience as well, since Mercutio is funny and crude. Audience needs a comedy relief, so this maintains their interest - Shakespeare is good at manipulating the moods, and varies it

Scene 2:

- Romeo goes to Juliet balcony - Line 1- Mercutio is jesting. Mercutio has never felt love before, so he can easily tease Romeo - Line 2 – near morning at this point, and dawn is just about to come, but still dark - Here Romeo compares Juliet to the sun about to rise - Line 4-9 – The moon is the sun’s servant. Rosaline is the daughter of Diane. He says, do not be a virgin. “Please do not worship the moon…” - Romeo talks about Juliet's eyes – two stars asked her eyes to twinkle - Romeo uses very romantic analogies: “I wish I was a glove touching her hand", "She is like an angel riding a cloud in the sky" - Romeo listens to Juliet confess her private thoughts about Romeo, who is not supposed to listen - Juliet met Romeo for one day, and she is willing to not be a Capulet to be with Romeo. Gives up her family for his love - Juliet says “Whats in the name? that which we call a rose, by any other word would smell as sweet…” He is not a Montague, it is just a name, he is actually a really nice guy - Line 49- Romeo jumps out bushes to reveal itself - If my name was something on a piece of paper, I would just tear it up. He is giving up family just for her, Naïve. Romantic. Perpetuous. - Juliet warns him that her family would kill him if they found him - Romeo says “ I would rather die than live without you.” - Juliet then says lines 85-89, which means that she is blushing a lot, since Romeo heard her say that she loves him when he was not supposed to be there at all. She is saying goodbye to social politeness. She is saying “who cares! You heard me already, I can’t deny it anymore. Never mind the rules and the dating etiquettes. Do you love me back then?" Very brave - If you think I love you too quickly, then I’ll pretend for you - But I love you too much - You need to trust me, because I am being honest I am not playing any romantic games with you. - I should have been more reserved, but you heard me say it, its too late - Don’t think I am easy to get, you just overheard me - She doesn't want him to swear on the moon, since the moon changes, meaning the love would change - Line 116-17- Juliet say that this is happening to fast, don’t want it to be lightning, hits earth, then gone. I want it to be a flower, ripening slowly and then stays. - Good night. Romeo says that no, I made a vow to my love to you, you have to make a vow to your love to me - She is talking about her vow to his love, the hand - Juliet has to leave since nurse calls her - But comes back - And says, if you are serious, then I’ll send a messenger and we will get married

Scene 3: - At daybreak, Friar Lawrence is gathering flowers and herbs. He reflects that, like people, they contain both healing medicine and poison, both good and evil. - Friar Lawrence fears that Romeo has spent the night with Rosaline. But Romeo, telling of his and Juliet’s mutual love, asks the Friar to marry them. - After chiding Romeo for his fickleness in love, Friar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet because he believe their marriage will end the feuding of the Montagues and Capulets. - That is not a very good reason, because getting married in secret would not help, it would simply make the parents worse. - Friar agrees to do so possibly so that he could have the glory of ending the feuding between the families - The old is supposed to help the young, be wise, but he may be helping himself - He is telling Romeo is slow down, but he himself is going pretty fast, since he is eager to end the feuding between the families. His words and actions don’t meet. (Line 94) - Not necessarily the older characters of the play are wise - Need him to say yes, though, to move the story onwards - Shakespeare is saying, “that we might perceive that older people are wiser than younger, but that might not be the case” - However, if they didn’t marry, they would continue on with their love, and their parents would be even madder. If they are married, then it is holy, valid, and a bit more acceptable. Perhaps, Friar is trying to protect them. - The beginning of his speech is giving readers a sense that he is wise, but it is ironic because is decisions later debunk so - He is saying that all things are both good and bad…There is goodness and badness in everything - (Movie)

Scene 4: - Benvolio and Mercutio - Comic relief - Move the plot forward - Learn more about Mercutio- like him more since he is funny but very rude - Romeo is teased for leaving them during the dance - Develops Romeo’s character, he jokes, but he is also a nice boy - Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a fight - Tease Nurse a lot - Juliet got into ‘shrift’ - Change in mood, after romance, a bit of funny things

Scene 5: - Juliet is waiting for Nurse and her reply of what Romeo said - ‘old people are just slow’ - Nurse is teasing Juliet so that she has to wait more for Nurse’s reply - The nurse should not be helping Juliet help her get married (same for Friar)

Scene 6: - lines 3-5, foreshadowing - lines 6-8, let death come! As long as I can call her mine, it doesn’t matter - Friar’s lines and actions contradicts each other - He tells him to love gently, passionately, to make it last longer - Meets Juliet

Noam Baharav
 * Act 1 Study Guide**

In act one we are firstly introduced to the families’ feud, through a fight between Montagues and Capulets in the city streets of Verona. The Prince declares that there has been too much fighting, and he who begins the next fight will be put to death. We are introduced to Romeo, who was not at the fight but instead sulking and dreaming in the forest, and is now talking to Benvolio about his unrequited love for Rosaline. Benvolio advises Romeo to find another woman to love him instead, but Romeo believes it is impossible that he should ever love again. Afterwards, at the Capulet house, Lord Capulet is talking to Paris about marrying Juliet, and then sends out his servant to bring invitations to the guests of his party. The Servant runs into Romeo and Benvolio, and so they learn of the party, and Benvolio says they should go so that Romeo can find a new crush. Back at the Capulet house, we meet Lady Capulet, Juliet and Nurse getting ready for the ball. That night right before the party Romeo’s gang is fooling around, and wanting to go to the party, however Romeo feels apprehensive. Benvolio says that Romeo’s dreams are foolish, and Romeo says that he will be guided by fate, and they arrive at the Capulet party. There, Romeo spots Juliet, and they fall in love at first sight. They kiss, not knowing who the other is. Romeo first learns Juliet’s identity, and then while he is leaving Juliet learns Romeo is a Montague.
 * Act 1 General Summary**

//Scene 1// After a discussion between servants about fighting and “stabbing” they encounter servants from the other house and try to start a fight. Benvolio arrives and tries to intervene, however at that time Tybalt also arrives and actually starts the fight. The Prince rides in and says that if any more fights are started the initiator will be killed. The Montague parents arrive worried that their son was in the fight, but are informed by Benvolio that he was not, but instead acting strange and out in the woods. When Romeo returns he speaks with Benvolio about his love for Rosaline, and Benvolio advises him to find another woman to love, but Romeo believes that is not possible. In this scene we are introduced to the nature of the characters, Benvolio of house Montague as passive and peaceful, and from his account of the fight we learn that he is unbiased and honest. Mercutio and Tybalt fiery and eager to fight, with Mercutio being the jokester. We see Romeo as a very introspective, passionate, and poetic person, and the Montague parents as caring and worried. This scene sets the stage for the rest of the play and introduces the conflict: the law that will later cause Romeo’s banishment. //Scene 2// Lord Montague is talking to Paris, a wealthy nobleman about marrying his daughter Juliet. Lord Montague says she is a little young to be married, but Paris disagrees, saying “Younger than she are happy mothers made.” Capulet however, saying she is his only daughter and “hope” that he thinks they should wait awhile, however at the party Paris should start to get to know her. He promises Prince that if Juliet agrees to marry him, he will gladly give his blessing. Lord Montague sends a servant out to give invitations to the party guests, but as the servant cannot read he stops by someone outside to tell him where to go. That person was Romeo with Benvolio next to him, and so they learn of the party and Benvolio says they should go to help Romeo find a new crush. This scene lets us know about Lord Montague’s character, as he seems to be a loving and supportive father. It gives insight into Paris’s character showing that although he wants to marry Juliet, he isn’t a bad guy. This however introduces the plot conflict of the wedding later on. The timing and chances that the servant would pass by Romeo to read the invitations hints that fate was in control of their destinies. //Scene 3// In this scene Lady Capulet is getting ready for the party and calls in Juliet to talk to her about marrying Paris. At first we are introduced to their characters, the Nurse being lively, warm, and funny, and the mom somewhat cold, businesslike, and reserved. Lady Capulet talks about how handsome and smart Paris is, and the Nurse thinks that he would also be a great match for Juliet. Juliet says that she is not ready to get married however will do as her mother wishes but no more. This scene shows the dynamics between Juliet, her mother, and the nurse, and how Juliet is clever. It juxtaposes her change when she falls in love with Romeo, and builds up to the conflict with her marriage to Paris. //Scene 4// Before the party, Romeo and his friends are fooling around near the Capulet party. They are talking about each ones personality, and making fin of Romeo for being a dreamy lovey type of person, and starts talking about dreams. Mercutio then has a long speech about Queen Mab, who creates the dreams, and how dreams are fake and don’t mean anything. Romeo, although he has a feeling of foreboding and that this event may cause his death soon, decides that he will put himself in fate’s hands and go to the party. This scene shows the dynamics between Romeo and his group of friends. It reinforces Mercutio as the joking lighthearted friend, and builds sympathy for his death later on. This is also the first direct reference to fate controlling their lives, and also to Romeo’s putting himself in fate’s hands, and then making decisions that change his “fate”. //Scene 5// At the party, Lord Capulet welcomes the guests. Romeo and his friends arrive, and are spotted by Tybalt, who goes to alert Lord Capulet and ask to throw them out and fight with them. Lord Capulet forbids Tybalt from causing trouble at his party and allows Romeo and his friends to stay. Romeo sees Juliet, goes up to talk to her, and they instantly fall in love. They kiss, but are interrupted by the Nurse who sends Juliet away. Romeo learns that Juliet is a Capulet and starts to leave, and Juliet learns as Romeo is leaving that he is a Montague. This scene strengthens the theme of fate, as perhaps it was Romeo’s fate to meet Juliet at the party, but it also strengthens the theme of them being doomed from the beginning, as Romeo had a bad feeling about the party. Tybalt seeing Mercutio and Romeo at the party foreshadows the fight in act 3, as it shows Tybalt is angry and will be looking for revenge for being embarrassed by Lord Capulet.
 * Scene Summaries with Significance**

This scene does not add to the action. This Act shows the audiences Romeo’s transformation.
 * Act 2 **

Scene 1: Romeo climbs over the walls surrounding Capulet’s orchard. Mercutio tried to find him, but fails *Benvolio and Mercutio are unaware of Romeo’s new love and continue to make sexual jokes about Rosaline.

Scene 2: Romeo overhears Juliet’s declaration of love. They decide to get married *This scene is connected to the previous scene. The decisions and actions in this scene foreshadows what is going to happen later in the play.

Scene 3: Romeo convinces Friar Lawrence to perform their marriage. *The Friar is amazed and concerned at the speed with which Romeo had transferred his love from Rosaline to Juliet. However, he agrees to help Romeo and Juliet in the hope that the marriage will fix the relationship between the two feuding families.

Scene 4: Romeo meets up with Mercutio and Benvolio. The nurse arrives to learn about Juliet’s wedding arrangements *This scene sets up the driving actions of the play. This scene is mixed with comedy and action.

Scene 5: Juliet waits impatiently for the nurse to return. The Nurse gives her Romeo’s message *The actions in this scene show Juliet’s impatience. This corresponds to Romeo’s rashness while talking to Friar in 2.3

Scene 6: Juliet meets Romeo at Friar Lawrence’s cell. Friar warns that they may be acting too quickly, but they do not care. And they get married//.// // “These violent delights have violent ends” // This is a very short scene but reminds us/ foreshadows that there will be a tragedy. The shortness also emphasized the lovers rushing into the marriage


 * Act 3 Scene 1:**

Begins with Mercutio and Bevolio talking about how many Capulets’

Benvolio asks Mercutio if they can go inside so they can avoid the fight anyways

Mercutio isn’t really the type to want to fight right away…but after a few drinks he’s willing

Mercutio is describing all of the things he has quarreled over…he is teasing Benvolio

“By my head here comes the Capulets” “by my heel I care not” - I don’t care whether they are coming I want to fight

Beginning of the scene they want to have it being a bit funny

THEN comes Tybalt wanting to find Romeo (Mercutio…make it a word and a punch)

Consort - play a band with OR associated with (Mercutio here with play on words)

“Here comes my man” – here comes Romeo but also means here comes my servant (livery means the clothes a servant wears)

Romeo doesn’t not want to fight Tybalt because he knows that he is now related to Tybalt because he has just married Juliet.

(insert fighting)

Romeo tries to stop the fighting and says that the Prince doesn’t want them to fight

Because Romeo has intervened it means that Tybalt is allowed to hurt Mercutio because Which means that Romeo is doubly guilty and should make him mad enough to fight
 * 1) Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo in the first place
 * 2) He killed Mercutio

Mercutio is still making jokes (plays on words) before he dies Mercutio blames Romeo and curses both the Montagues and the Capulets

Romeo believes that Juliet has made Romeo soft and his love for her means he’s lost his anger to fight

Tybalt comes back after and Romeo fights him because he feels guilty

He says that Mercutio’s soul is hovering above their fight and says that one of theirs (Tybalt’s or Romeo’s) will join him

Benvolio sends Romeo away to be sure that the Prince doesn’t hurt him

Lady Capulet wants revenge (for blood of ours share blood of Montague)

Benvolio tries to explain to Lady Capulet that Romeo didn’t want to fight as he reports exactly what had happened during the fights

Lady Capulet wants Romeo dead she doesn’t believe that Tybalt started the fight

Prince questions the need for revenge

“My blood” – Mercutio is related to the Prince (he’s lost someone he’s close too)

Prince decides to exile Romeo


 * Act 3 Scene 2**

Begins with Juliet’s speech about love

Nurse starts saying that someone is dead (not trying to tease her or anything just not giving all details)…Juliet believes that Romeo is dead not Tybalt

Juliet is saying that she will die because Romeo is also dead…in the same place

Juliet uses a lot of oxymoron’s “honorable villain” “Dove-feathered raven” For this speech she hates him for killing her cousin

Juliet says that she’d rather Tybalt, her mom, her dad, Romeo, and herself instead of Romeo being banished

She’s trying to see the positive side but is too emotional She threatened suicide “death take my maidenhead”

Nurse says that she’d go to find him


 * Act 3 Scene 3**

Friar Lawrence starts by feeling bad for Romeo and trying to help him but then gets annoyed and impatient when Romeo doesn’t see the bright side of things Saying that Romeo isn’t grateful because he isn’t being killed

Romeo believes that being banished is worse than being dead

“Mad men have no ears” Romeo is acting crazy and wont see anything

“Mad men have no eyes” The Friar can’t sympathize

Romeo throws a tamper (really is crying and weeping) and won’t leave when the nurse comes in

Romeo tries to kill himself right there and tries to cut out the part of him that is a Montague but the nurse stops him

Friar is saying

Your manliness is like waxing coming off Romeo…looks like a man but his behavior is womanly

“There art thou happy” – listing reasons why he should be happy and positive


 * Act 3 Scene 4**

Capulet says that Juliet will marry Paris on Thursday (3 days) End of Monday


 * Act 3 Scene 5**

We see Romeo’s crisis in scene one and in scene five we see Juliet’s.

Opening- including nightingale (bird that sings at night) lark (sings during the day) Romeo has to leave in the morning because he is banished…she wants it to be the nightingale singing so she can stay

Romeo says he is content and he can stay and die. But then Juliet says that he needs to go because she doesn’t want him to die.

Thine eye, mornings eye

Personifies the day three times in this opening: to make the threat of the day more concrete makes the day more of a threat as if coming to get him

Day time being dangerous…night time being peaceful and calm

“in a minute there are many days” when she’s there without him the minutes will drag and not go by fast…she’s got it the wrong way around

They won’t meet again, this is the last everything and they will never see each other again

Dramatic irony….audience knows that they won’t see each other again but they think they will

Foreshadowing “I’ll see you in a tomb” yes she will…

Fickle = unfaithful/changeable At the moment Romeo’s fate is banishment and she’s hoping his fate changes so he can come back to her

Juliet’s not happy to hear from her mother “Are you still crying about Tybalt? You can’t wash him away from his graves by her tears? Yu can weep cause its nice but after a while you look stupid.”

She has to make her mom think she hates Romeo

“No man like he doth my heart” unhappy to be separate from her, hates him for killing

She wants to be the one for revenge because then she can make sure that her mom doesn’t kill him

Lady Capulet says that she will marry Paris and she expects Juliet to be happy and is shocked when she refuses Mom doesn’t stand up for her and says that she has to tell her father herself

Juliet uses Romeo as a “stupid example” to show her mom how much she doesn’t want to get married

Lord Capulet is like the mom saying she shouldn’t still be upset “No I’m not proud because I don’t want to get married, but thanks for trying to find me a husband”

He calls her names and says he will drag her there

Why he might be mad:
 * 1) He thinks she’s not grateful and feels rejected
 * 2) He’s used to being in charge and he is the patriarch of the family and now she’s not listening to him
 * 3) He will look bad if he has to go back and tell Paris that he can’t marry Juliet

Reason for the plot: we have to have Juliet isolated and under pressure otherwise she won’t carry on with the Friars plans and won’t make her stupid decisions

Nurse is saying that she should marry Paris because he is better than Romeo and will take her farther in life and Romeo is either dead or will be dead soon anyways so who cares. Nurse is pragmatic and realistic and doesn’t comfort Juliet and Juliet goes after to the Friar


 * Act 4:-**

4-1: (Juliet goes to Friar for help after being abandoned by everyone)

-Lines 18-21: Dramatic irony. Juliet tells Paris she will be called wife when she becomes when “next Thursday”. The audience already knows she is married, but to Romeo.

-Lines 22-28: Paris does not realize Juliet’s subtle wordplay i.e.: “I will confess to you when I love him..” this “him” is meant to be Friar Lawrence, as a form of mockery towards Paris.

-Line 59: Juliet threatens to kill herself, now alone with Friar Lawrence. - à First sign of ending’s foreshadow= SUSPENSE.

-THE FRIAR’S BRILLIANT, ABSOLUTELY FOOL-PROOF PLAN: (9 steps)

>Juliet goes to room alone

>Drinks potion

>Pulse/ breath stops, color fades

>Paris finds her “dead”

>Funeral in vault

>Friar sends Romeo letters

>Friar and Romeo come

>Juliet wakes

>She and Romeo go to Mantua

-Anything could go wrong with the plan- very dangerous. Shows (once again) Friar’s rash decisions and hasty mind.

-If Juliet is brave enough to kill herself, she’s brave enough to take a faulty potion to SEEM dead= desperate times call for desperate measures.

4-2: (Juliet apologizes to parents)

-In delight, the wedding is moved forward. The plan is rushed, everyone is in a hurry. The message to Romeo cannot arrive in time- THE PLAN WON’T WORK.

-Capulet is much too excited…

-Act 4 is “funny”- alternating scene- scene 1 is tense, slow (friar v. Juliet plan) scene 2 is comic (cook licking fingers, capulet giddy, being housewife) scene 3 is slowing down again (Juliet is alone in her chamber and prepares) scene 4 is comical (capulet baking, fast-paced, panic in kitchen) 4-5 (terrible grief v. dramatic irony b/c audience knows its not real) contrast and variety

4-3: (The taking of the potion)

-Vocab.: Orisons= prayer

-Lines 1-5 and 7-12: Juliet is internally asking Lady Capulet and Nurse to leave her alone and go away.

-Juliet is preparing herself for the last time she will see either Nurse or the Lady Capulet.

-Although she says she will pray, it is for strength and help during the plan, and not for forgiveness as she says.

-Lines 20-55: All of Juliet’s fears of the plan arrive (ex. She can go mad, wake up underground, the potion causes real death, spirits of Tybalt and ancestors underground will haunt her, etc.)

4-4:

-Line 10: Clue that marriage between Capulets is not happy, and that Capulet chasing women all night (?)

4-5:

-Interesting point: Director cuts out 4-2 and 4-4 in movie. However, these scenes allow us to like Capulet again, making it more important than though= Shakespeare has a reason for everything.

-Lines 28- 29: Personification, imagery, and simile

-Foreshadowed throughout play: death is Juliet’s bridegroom

-Death is capitalized (D) for personification

-Lines 35-60 = dramatic irony. Audience knows Juliet isn’t dead.

Uses fruits to talk about sex- MERCRUTIO

ACT 2 SCENE 2

Romeo hides outside of Juliet’s room and listens to Juliet speak to herself.

“Deny thy father and refuse thy nam; Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love” (34-37) ACT 2 SCENE 2 Juliet is saying give up being Montague or I will give up being a Capulet. They met at a party, they want to be with each other so much that Juliet and Romeo is willing to give her name up. Juliet is practical, unlike Romeo she does not use metaphors saying that she has wings because she is in love. Juliet warns Romeo that her family will kill him if they find him. Admitting embarrassment at being overheard telling of her love. She asks Romeo if he loves her. “Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say “ay”; and I will take thy word; yet if thou swear’st, thou mayst prove false: at lovers perjuries” Lines 90-93 This quote is saying do you love me? You will say yes,I will take your word, but if your lying and you don’t really love me, you just want something from me

(105-113) He swears that he loves her. Juliet says “O swear not by the moon, th’inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise” Juliet says do not swear by the moon, it is inconstant, swearing by the moon and their love will be inconstant

(140) if you do love me, we can marry tomorrow IMPULSIVE?

WORDS ACT 2 SCENE 3, Friar Lawrence’s speech Death: tomb, poison, night, dark, grave, vile, abuse, vice, kills, rude will, canker death
 * Contrasts and oxymoron

Life: womb (life, hope), medicine, morning, sun, birth, grace, cheers, excellent, good excellent, powerful, cheers, grace, herbs

Act 4 Scene 1
 * Summary of Act 4**

- Friar and Paris discuss Juliet and upcoming wedding arraignment - Juliet comes and talks to Paris using double meanings - When Paris leaves, she is able to express her despair with the Friar - Friar tells her he has a plan - Tells her the details of the plan - Gives her vial - Sends friar to Romeo

Act 4 Scene 2 - Tuesday - Planning the wedding - Juliet comes to show her obedience to her father, Capulet - The wedding day is moved up to Wednesday - Act 4 Scene 3 - Night before the wedding - She takes the potion and falls asleep

Act 4 Scene 4 - Capulet has been cooking all night - Sends Nurse to wake Juliet Act 4 Scene 5 - She is found “dead”


 * Characters introduced/developed**

Friar Lawrence Juliet - Act 4 Scene 3 Paris Capulet - excited Juliet is getting married - practical, uses food and preparations for wedding to use for her funeral (4.5.84-90) Servingman Nurse - repeating “O woe!” shows lack of education, doesn’t know what else to say
 * o Anxious
 * o Desperate
 * o Brave
 * o Loyal

Lady Capulet - (4.3.20) redeems herself, shows grief for Juliet, shows genuine love for Juliet


 * Plot development**

Scene 1 - Friar explains his plan to Juliet - Things that could go wrong
 * o Go home
 * o Agree to marriage
 * o Don’t let Nurse into room
 * o Take a vial of potion
 * o She will appear dead
 * o When the groom comes to wake her up
 * o He believes she is dead
 * o She will be put in Capulet’s tomb
 * o She will awaken from her slumber
 * o Friar will inform Romeo in Mantua through letter
 * o Could suffocate
 * o She could die
 * o Might not be buried in tomb

Scene 2 - The wedding day is moved up Scene 3 - tells Nurse to leave so she can pray for her wrongdoings - tells Lady Capulet to leave her alone since she must be busy with the wedding preparations Scene 4 - Capulet has spent all night cooking with the Nurse - Sends Nurse to wake Juliet up Scene 5 - Nurse tries to wake Juliet - Calls in Lady Capulet
 * o Creates tension and faster pace
 * § Things could go wrong, such as Romeo not receiving the message in time

Scene paces - Act 4 Scene 1 - Act 4 Scene 2 - Act 4 Scene 3 - Act 4 Scene 4 - Act 4 Scene 5
 * o Tense
 * o Slow
 * o Funny
 * o Fast
 * o Tense
 * o Slow
 * o Fast
 * o Funny
 * o Tense
 * o Slow


 * Interesting language use**

- Dramatic irony: conversation between Juliet and The Friar with Paris (4.1.18) - Juliet’s lines contain double meanings (4.1.22) - After Paris exits, she is able to be open with the Friar and show her despair - Threatens suicide if Friar is not able to help her (4.1.59) - (4.1.68) Friar tells her he has a plan - (4.1.77) Explains everything else she would rather do instead of marry Paris - (4.2.37) There won’t be enough food made for the guests - Capulet will spend the night cooking - He is happy - She needs to pray for the potion to work (4.3.1-5) - She needs them to leave so she can use the potion (4.3.7-12) - (4.3.14) Shares her fears before taking potion - Scene changes pace for contrast and to keep audience interest - (4.5.28) Uses personification, simile - Death is capitalized when used, “Death”, suggests death is very powerful and an aspect of God - Relates to Friar’s first speech with good coming with bad - Friar uses argument that Juliet is in heaven (4.5.70) - (4.5.100) Weird scene with the musicians, play happy song as Juliet is carried to her funeral
 * o Audience knows Juliet is already married to Romeo and reason for her sadness
 * o Paris thinks she is sad about Tybalt’s death
 * o Ex. (4.1.25) “him” is the Friar
 * § She will confess to Paris that she loves the Friar
 * o (4.1.21) “What must be shall be”
 * § Paris thinks she loves him, that they are going to get married
 * § She means fate will help her, or something different will happen
 * o Fast, slow
 * o Personification of death
 * o She is so young, “untimely”
 * o Winter is finished, but frost comes to come and steal you

-Amy Yang
 * Act Four Notes**
 * Alternates between scenes with lengthy lines and scenes with speed
 * Keeps audience’s interest
 * Romeo did not appear in the act

Scene 1
 * Paris tells the Friar that Capulet rushed the marriage to stop Juliet’s grief
 * Juxtaposition of sorrow and love
 * o Dramatic irony: audience knows about the marriage but Paris does not know and feels excited about the marriage
 * Juliet’s word play with Paris
 * Line 25: “I will confess to you that I love him” Juliet --> Paris, Juliet means that she loves Romeo but Paris took it as she loves Paris
 * Line 36: “It may be so, for it is not mine own” Her face is Romeo’s
 * o Displays Juliet’s cleverness, avoids offending Paris, and does not lie
 * When she is alone with Friar Lawrence, she threatens to commit suicide if he does not think of something to help her avoid marrying Paris
 * Hyperbole of the things she would rather do: jump off a building, go to a place with snakes, chained with bears, shut in a charnel-house etc. Shows her depth of emotion
 * Friar tells Juliet the faulty plan

Scene 2
 * The Capulets prepare for the wedding
 * Capulet was excited because of Juliet’s repentance so he moves the wedding day one day earlier to Wednesday
 * Dramatic effect: The letter will not reach Romeo in time

Scene 3
 * Other meaning behind Juliet’s lines:
 * 1-5 “Just leave me alone to take the potion”
 * o 7-12 “Get out of my room and I will appear tomorrow morning dead”
 * Juliet’s fears: shows that she is desperate and brave
 * Mixture does not work (I’ll commit suicide if it doesn’t)
 * What if it is poison?
 * She wakes in the charnel house and suffocates
 * Goes insane
 * Personification Line 34: The Earth swallows her

Scene 4
 * Capulets and servants up all night to prepare for the wedding (food, logs, etc)
 * Hurried

Scene 5
 * Nurse finds Juliet “dead”
 * Lines 28-29 imagery: personification and simile
 * Motif of death as a bridegroom: 36, 38-39
 * Dramatic irony: the audience knows that Juliet is not yet dead
 * Friar says that Juliet is in heaven and “advanced;” shows lack of faith if you morn so much
 * Most directors cut 100-135 lines because it ruins the sad mood by making jokes

Act 5
__**5.1 Summary/Analysis**__ Reason this scene was included: __**5. 2 Summary/Analysis**__ __**5.3 Summary/Analysis**__
 * Romeo wakes up in Mantua (where he was banished to) feeling positive. He just had a dream where Juliet found him dead, but kissed him back to life
 * kind of foreshadowing: his dream foreshadows death but gets the audience's hopes up before revealing the death of Juliet
 * Romeo thinks his dream is a good sign, but the audience knows he's wrong, which makes fate seem in control
 * Romeo's servant Balthasar brings him news that Juliet is dead
 * Romeo hastily and instantaneously makes the decision to kill himself: "Is it e'en so? then I defy you stars!" (5.1. 24)
 * he says screw you to fate, because the only way to "defy" the stars or your given fate is to commit suicide
 * Romeo asks if there are letters from Friar Lawrence, but Balthasar says no.
 * On lines 34-57, Romeo rambles about the apothecary, random things in his shop, et cetera
 * builds suspense by creating delay; the audience just wants to know what Romeo will do
 * Romeo goes to the apothecary and asks for poison, which is illegal in Mantua
 * Romeo convinces the apothecary to sell him the poison, for the apothecary is extremely poor and needs the money. Romeo sets off for Juliet's grave to drink the poison.
 * created for suspense
 * dramatic irony; the audience knows Juliet is not actually dead
 * foreshadowing and delay
 * diverts the play from the main issue of Juliet's death
 * plot development (build to resolution):
 * to show that Romeo didn't get the message
 * to show Romeo's plan to kill himself
 * to show Romeo's plan to return to Verona
 * reminds the audience of Romeo (he was banished, but is still a major character)
 * characterization:
 * shows Romeo's character, that he makes rash decisions
 * new theme introduced: money is "poison to men's souls" (5.1.80)
 * did money cause the feud? both families are of great status, power, and wealth
 * did money kill Juliet? (is that why Juliet was supposed to marry Paris? both families are very rich and want a good reputation)
 * It turns out Friar Lawrence gave the letter to Friar John, who didn't get the letter sent to Romeo. He was stuck in quarantine because the people of the town he was passing through thought he had the plague
 * When Mercutio was dying, he proclaimed "A plague a'both your houses!" (3.1.82)
 * Makes it seem like fate IS in charge, because Mercutio's curse seemed to have worked
 * Friar Lawrence sets off for the tomb, thinking he'll just have to wake Juliet alone, and then can send another letter to Romeo
 * Paris is at the Capulet tomb with his page, intending to put some flowers on Juliet's grave
 * Paris makes references to yew trees, churchyards, lanterns, etc. to set the scene (back then they didn't have backdrops or fancy props
 * This part is included to set the scene before Romeo comes-- it wouldn't make sense for Romeo to ramble about the nighttime and the churchyard when he obviously is only going to be focused on Juliet
 * Romeo shows up with Balthasar, claiming he wants to take a ring from Juliet's finger
 * Romeo appears more practical, straightforward, and determined in this scene; he has already written a letter to his father explaining the situation
 * earth personified again (motif)-- wanting to swallow you up (line 45); the tomb is the stomach of the earth, and has already Juliet. Romeo is going to stuff himself into the already full stomach
 * portrays death as very powerful and all-consuming
 * Paris spies Romeo and assumes he has bad intentions; Paris wants to fight Romeo
 * Romeo doesn't want to fight Paris, just wants to be left alone
 * They end up fighting, and Romeo kills Paris
 * Romeo didn't let Paris kill him, even though he was going to commit suicide anyway
 * Romeo says "One writ with me in sour misfortune's book!" (5.3.82) It's like he's part of fate's storybook, and everything is already written in about his love-- it's a tragic story
 * Romeo breaks into the tomb and goes to Juliet's side
 * On lines 91-96, he notices that Death and beauty are having a war on her, and beauty is winning. He can see that she doesn't look dead (color in her lips and cheeks), which creates dramatic irony as the reader knows he's right
 * Romeo drinks the potion and dies
 * Shortly after, Friar Lawrence appears, and discovers Romeo dead
 * Balthasar says he has a dream that his master fought with another man and won; it wasn't a dream.
 * if he had come just half an hour earlier, the whole thing wouldn't have happened. fate in control?
 * Juliet wakes and sees Friar, but not Romeo
 * Friar says (line 153) "A greater power than we can contradict / Hath thwarted our intents." It seems that he believes in fate also
 * Friar leaves right after telling Juliet that Romeo is dead. (so stupid, why would he leave her in there with her dead husband? Friar to blame?) He is selfish, worried about being caught
 * Juliet hears the captain of the watch, and stabs herself with Romeo's dagger (after acknowledging that she was just moments too late to save him)
 * The Prince, the Capulets, and the Montagues enter the tomb and find Romeo and Juliet dead, next to each other
 * The Prince's guards drag in Friar Lawrence, who tells the whole story from lines 229-269
 * Lord Capulet and Lord Montague, both grief-stricken, swear to end the feud and build statues of the other's child in their memory
 * The Prince pardons some who were involved and punishes others