Act IV

The first three emotional acts served to set the scene for the impending tragedy. With Romeo banished and Juliet isolated by her secrecy and the ignorance of those close to her, Juliet is forced to confront the situation that has presented itself to her. With the help of Friar Laurence, Juliet embarks upon a plan that will ultimately bring about the downfall of both Romeo and Juliet. While this act is generally quite plot driven, Shakespeare changes the mood and tone in order to lead effectively into the final act and tragedy.

Plot summary

• Juliet enlists Friar Laurence's help.
• Friar Laurence comes up with his plan.
• Juliet makes amends for her disobedience to her father.
• She then takes the poison.
• The Capulets excitedly prepare all night for the wedding.
• The Nurse finds Juliet 'dead'.
• Juliet is carried to the family crypt.

Scene i: Friar Laurence's cell

The scene opens with Paris discussing his impending marriage to Juliet with Friar Laurence. The Friar clearly has reservations but Paris remains resolute. Juliet enters amid the discussion and exchanges formal wit with Paris. When Paris has left, Juliet becomes extremely emotional. The Friar gives his sympathy and upon hearing her passion, reveals his plan to remedy the situation. It is a risky plan and the Friar warns that Juliet will need to be brave. The plan is that Juliet will take a poison that will make her seem dead for 42 hours. Her family, as is the custom, will then place her in the family crypt. Friar Laurence will then send word to Romeo explaining the plan. When Juliet awakes, Romeo and the Friar will be in the crypt, and Romeo will take her back to Mantua.

Important Points to note from Act IV, Scene i:

• This scene contains the longest exposure to Paris that the responder will see.
• Juliet is left to confront the complications on her own.
• Her strength and courage is testament to her character as well as the intensity of her feelings for Romeo.
• Friar Laurence takes a risk in implementing the plan.

Scene ii: The Capulet mansion

Capulet is busy preparing for the wedding and complains that they will be unprepared. When Juliet tells him that she has repented her disobedience towards him as a sin he is overjoyed. Capulet's joy is so much that he moves the wedding forward to Wednesday, which is the following day. Despite Lady Capulet's warning that there will not be enough time to prepare, Capulet tells her that he will stay up all night and prepare for the wedding himself.

Important Points to note from Act IV, Scene ii:

• Juliet puts the Friar's plan into action.
• She has made her father very happy.
• Capulet's jubilant response demonstrates a genuine love for Juliet.
• Juliet's easy deception demonstrates her resolve and the importance that she places on her relationship with Romeo.

Scene iii: Juliet's chamber

Juliet dismisses the Nurse and Lady Capulet. She then considers the possibilities and risks involved in taking the poison. She questions whether or not it might work, whether the Friar has given her real poison in an attempt to cover up his secretive actions and what would happen if she woke to soon.

Important Points to note from Act IV, Scene iii:

• It takes a great amount of courage for Juliet to take the poison.
• The imagery of the vault portends the eventual tragedy.

Scene iv: the Capulet mansion

Capulet eagerly organises the preparations for the wedding. He has worked all through the night and as day breaks hears the music that signifies the arrival of Paris and sends the Nurse to wake Juliet.

Important Points to note from Act IV, Scene iv:

• This is a short scene that provides a break between two dramatic scenes.
• Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to intensify the sense of futility that is implicated by the inevitability of fate.
• Capulet is expansively jubilant about the wedding and this will add to the false tragedy of Juliet's feigned death.

Scene v: Juliet's chamber

The Nurse excitedly attempts to wake Juliet and finds her seemingly dead. Capulet, Lady Capulet, the Nurse and Paris lament Juliet's death with exaggerated language. Friar Laurence calms them down and hastens them to get the body to the family vault as quickly as possible. The scene ends with comedy involving very minor characters.

Important Points to note from Act IV, Scene v:

• The tone is lightened deliberately to provide audience with relief from the main tragedy in the play.
• Friar Laurence has been forced, through his good intentions, to lie and deceive.