Romeo and Juliet

Act 3

Act III, Scene I - Summary

Benvolio is concerned they will not “scape a brawl”

Tybalt enters looking for RomeoTybalt and Mercutio - two of the most headstrong

and passionate members of each side of the feud - conflict will arise

Benvolio tries to avoid confrontation but Mercutio is deliberately provocative

Romeo appears and Tybalt insults him, hoping he will respond to the challenge

Romeo refuses because he is now related to Tybalt through his marriage to Juliet

Act III, Scene i - Summary

Mercutio, disgusted by Romeo’s reluctance, fights on Romeo’s behalf

To stop the battle, Romeo steps between them and Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm

Mercutio’s wound is fatal and he dies cursing: “A plague o’ both your houses!”

Blinded by rage over Mercutio’s death, Romeo attacks Tybalt and kills him

Romeo is forced to flee a mob of citizens as the Prince, the heads of the two households, and their wives appear at the scene

After Benvolio gives an account of what has happened, the Prince banishes Romeo from Verona under the penalty of death and orders Lords Montague and Capulet to pay a heavy fine

Setting and Mood

This scene acts as a violent contrast to the euphoric mood and romance of the previous few scenes

The harsh, uncompromising daylight reality replaces the dark secrecy and moonlight declarations of the previous scenes

The searing heat, flaring tempers, and sudden violence of this scene contrast sharply with the romantic, peaceful previous night

The play reaches a dramatic crescendo as Romeo and Juliet’s private world clashes with the public feud

Romeo’s Refusal to Fight

Romeo appears, euphoric and unaware he’s been challenged to a duel – his mood separates him from the other characters in the scene

In response to Tybalt’s attempts to initiate a fight, Romeo tells Tybalt he loves “thee better than thou canst devise” – he will not fight as he is now a kinsman of Tybalt’s

In Romeo’s mind, he has shed his identity as a Montague and has become one with Juliet, his wife

However, Tybalt still sees Romeo as standing on the wrong side of a clear line that divides the families

Tybalt does not understand why Romeo will not respond to his challenge - traditional assertion of masculine nobility

Romeo and Juliet’s love removes them from the animosity that drives the feud

Romeo and Conflict

However, the love of Romeo and Juliet is flawed by Romeo acting out of anger rather than his love for Juliet

Ironically, Romeo’s refusal to duel with Tybalt brings about the very acceleration of violence he sought to prevent and Mercutio’s death

Romeo blames himself for Mercutio’s death because he placed his love for Juliet before consideration of his friend and regards himself as effeminate

Romeo thus attacks Tybalt to assuage his guilt By doing so, he disregards any effect that this may have

on Juliet His action is impulsive and reckless, his rage overpowers

his sensibility, and his tragic fortunes are sealed By attacking Tybalt in a blind fury, he has become one

with fiery Tybalt; one with the feud

Mercutio

The hot-headed Mercutio starts a quarrel the instant Tybalt requests a word with him, by responding, “make it a word and a blow.”

Mercutio’s characteristic wit turns bitter as he is incensed at what he sees as Romeo’s cowardice: ‘calm, dishonourable, vile submission’

As he dies he curses both Montagues and Capulets, who have been the direct cause of his death: “A plague on both your houses” (3 times)

In shocked disbelief, he asks Romeo “Why the devil / came you between us? I was hurt under your arm”

Mercutio’s death is the catalyst for the tragic turn the play takes from this point onward

Fate

Tybalt’s death brings Romeo a moment of clarity - he realises that he is the helpless victim of fate: “O, I am fortune’s fool!”

He is struck by a sense of anger, injustice, and futility, of being ‘unlucky’ and ‘cursed’ by bad fortune

Contrast this with Mercutio’s response to his own fate – he blames the people of the houses of Montague and Capulet, and gives no blame to any larger force

The speed with which Mercutio and Tybalt’s deaths occur, together with Romeo’s marriage and subsequent banishment, all contribute to a sense of inevitability—that a chain of events has been set in motion over which the protagonists have no control

Mercutio’s dying curse upon the houses resonates as the voice of fate itself

Conflict

The sudden, extreme violence of this scene serves as a reminder that, for all the love, beauty and romance of the play, this love story takes place against a backdrop of honour, pride, revenge and other masculine notions

The beauty, purity and fragility of Romeo and Juliet’s love stands little chance against this world of violence and brutality

Banishment and Fate

The Prince listens to the true story of what happened, and declares that Romeo’s behaviour was understandable, but nevertheless must be punished by banishment from Verona – forever

‘..when he is found, that hour is his last’Romeo and Juliet’s love is now not only censured

and forbidden by their families, it is also thwarted and forbidden by the ruler of Verona

Their relationship puts Romeo in danger of violent reprisal from both Juliet’s kinsmen AND the state

The future?

From an atmosphere of hope at the very end of Act II, we have moved (in one scene) to a situation of darkest despair

It is now very difficult for Romeo, and the audience, to see a hopeful future for the young lovers

Act III, Scene ii - Summary

Juliet is impatient for night so that she can be with Romeo Nurse is distraught and unable to make clear who is dead Juliet thinks Romeo has killed himself ‘Hath Romeo

slain himself?’ and resolves she will also kill herself Nurse then reveals Tybalt is dead and Juliet fears both

Tybalt AND Romeo are dead When the truth is at last revealed Juliet makes ONE

speech cursing nature that it should put ‘the spirit of a fiend’ in Romeo’s ‘sweet flesh’

BUT when Nurse joins her Juliet reverts to her loyalty Nurse explains Romeo is hiding at Friar Lawrence’s cell

and Juliet sends the Nurse with a ring, bidding Romeo to come and “take his last farewell.”

Tension and Mood

Setting is peaceful (the Capulet orchard)Contrasts to the conflict in the previous scene Juliet looks forward to the “amorous rites” of

her marriage Her impatience echoes her excitement in Act II,

Scene 5, when she had to wait for news of the wedding arrangements

Contrast –we know that her happy hopes will not be fulfilled

Sense of impending doom hangs in the atmosphere as she is unaware of the tragedy which awaits her

Dark Imagery

Darkness for the lovers is a time of safety Juliet beckons the darkness because it has been a

sanctuary for the couple, “if love be blind, / It best agrees with night.”

The lovers have forged their love at night as they: – met– agreed to marry – consummate their marriage– die together under the cover of night

Their affinity for the darkness illustrates their separation from the temporal, feuding world

Light Imagery

Although external light (the “garish sun”) has become their enemy, the lovers provide light for each other

Juliet’s eyes were like the stars, she “doth teach the torches to burn bright!,” and is Romeo’s “Juliet is the sun”

Here, Romeo brings “day in night” Juliet begs fate to “cut Romeo out in little stars” These stars represent both the timeless quality of

the couple’s love and their fate as “star-cross’d lovers” who will only truly be united in death

Fate

Although Juliet is unaware of the tragic news that awaits her, her soliloquy contains tragic images suggesting the dark future – she states of Romeo: “if he should die”

Even when Juliet understands that Romeo is not dead, his banishment is equivalent to death in her eyes: “I’ll to my wedding bed / And death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead.”

The association between Juliet and death as her bridegroom pairs the themes of love and death

This emphasises that her young life is constantly overshadowed by death

Love/ Death

Shakespeare’s linking of ‘love’ and ‘death’ continues with Juliet’s first reaction being that Romeo MUST have killed himself, and

Her own willingness to kill herselfThis theme of the intensity of extreme love

leading to a death impulse will be echoed in the upcoming scene, and Romeo’s reaction to his banishment

Juliet and Loyalty

Juliet feels conflicted because her love for Romeo clashes with her love and sense of duty to Tybalt

She expresses her conflicting emotions for Romeo using oxymorons: “Beautiful tyrant, fiend angelical.”

She is angry, but swiftly restores her loyal feelings Juliet’s loyalty is firmly grounded in her love of Romeo

and no longer for family - she is now a wife first and a daughter and cousin second

She believes that Romeo’s banishment is worse than the slaying of ‘ten thousand Tybalts’

She laments that she will die a ‘maiden-widow’ – there is no other love for her

She offers her ring to give to Romeo as a token of her love, loyalty and forgiveness

Juliet and Nurse

The Nurse’s inability to comprehend the intensity of Juliet’s love for Romeo causes a a change in their relationship

Juliet is emerging as a young woman with her own opinions and emotions

She no longer relies on Nurse for maternal guidance

The rift between the Nurse and Juliet foreshadows the final split in their relationship which occurs in Act III, Scene v when the Nurse betrays Juliet by advising her to forget Romeo and marry Paris

Conflict

The blissful love of Act II has completely disappeared in the tension of Act 3

The conflict has caused this deteriorationIt is now extremely unlikely that their

alliance will turn such extreme ‘rancour’ to ‘pure love’

Act III, Scene iii - Summary

In Friar Lawrence’s cell, Romeo is overcome with grief at his banishment –he will live, but without Juliet

In a state of frenzied grief, he falls on the floor and cannot be comforted: “with his own tears made drunk.”

The Nurse arrives, with news of Juliet’s distress, but Romeo assumes Juliet will not want him now

Once again, he offers to rid himself of his name, this time by stabbing himself.. ‘In what vile part of this anatomy Doth my name lodge? Tell me, that I may sack The hateful mansion’

The Friar advises Romeo to go to Juliet, then flee to Mantua

He promises to announce Romeo and Juliet’s marriage and gain a pardon for Romeo to return safely

Structure

This scene parallels the previous scene where Juliet reacted to the news of Romeo’s banishment with forceful emotion

Romeo responds to his banishment with wailing hysteria and a failed suicide attempt

Their reactions show the similar feelings of Romeo and Juliet – the structure of the play consistently links their actions

Juliet lamented her fate, her marriage, and her life with maturity, while Romeo falls to the floor grappling for a dagger with which to end his suffering

Romeo - Impusive

Reacts in usual fashion - extreme passion, and lack of moderation

Willing to kill himself – seeking oblivion rather than live without Juliet

We might question this believing it was also caused by Romeo’s impulsive behavior

Fate

Romeo realises he cannot escape the responsibilities of family – he is fated by his name

He angrily blames his name and wishes to cut from his body: ‘Had I it written, I would tear the word’

He distinguishes himself from his identity as a Montague: “that name’s cursed hand / Murdered her kinsman”, but it seems his family name will lead to his death

The Friar links Romeo and Juliet’s marriage with ill fate when he says that Romeo is “wedded to calamity”

Throughout the play, Romeo and Juliet are described as being wedded to death which foreshadows the play’s conclusion

It suggests that fate is an omnipotent, controlling power that draws the characters toward their doom

Youth and Age

Conflict between the older and younger generations

The Friar chastises Romeo and reminds him of his good fortune that the Prince has given a “gentler judgment” of exile rather than death

Romeo’s blind passion is far removed from calm reasoning of Friar

As in previous and subsequent scenes, the older generation’s failure to comprehend the depth of Romeo and Juliet’s passion isolates the lovers from sources of wisdom that might otherwise prevent their tragic fates

Act III, Scene iv - Summary

Late on Monday evening, Capulet and Paris discuss Juliet’s grief over Tybalt’s

This has prevented Paris from continuing his courtship of Juliet

Suddenly, as Paris prepares to leave, Capulet offers him Juliet’s hand in marriage

He tells Paris that Juliet will obey his wishes and marry Paris on Thursday: “I think she will be ruled in all respects by me” (No, she won’t)

Paris eagerly agrees and Lady Capulet is sent to convey the news to Juliet

Fate/ Tension

Juliet’s father suddenly decides that she should marry Paris as soon as possible - rash plans

Repeated references to days and times creates a sense of urgency as events rush towards their tragic conclusion

He reasons that since it is Monday night, Wednesday would be too soon due to Tybalt’s death; therefore, Thursday would appropriate

It seems that Juliet’s fate is inescapable BUT by the Tuesday (following) morning, Juliet will

have spent the night with Romeo, and consummated their marriage

Juliet CANNOT then marry another man – this would be blasphemous and a ‘mortal sin’

Lord Capulet

Capulet’s belief that Juliet will obey his will contrasts sharply with his manner previously

The decision reflects his impetuous nature but it may have political reasons as he knows Paris is related to the Prince who may be useful if the feud escalates

His language suggests a shift from parental concern to material/ social status

His belief in his daughter’s compliance are ironic because Juliet has already defied her father

The older generation is out of touch as Juliet is upstairs consummating her marriage

Marriage

Capulet, like his wife, is anxious to have his daughter marry successfully

He addresses Paris using a series of titles suggesting his social superiority, “Sir Paris,” “noble earl,” and “My lord.”

Paris is a relative of the Prince and would bring Capulet’s family increased wealth and status

Capulet would never be able to understand, let alone agree to, a marriage for Juliet based solely on love

Juliet is powerless in this situation – her thoughts and wishes are not taken into consideration at all – making Capulet’s earlier declarations of regard for her seem insincere and meaningless

She is a political and financial asset to him, and one that he feels free to use for his own ends..

Act III, Scene v - Summary

At dawn on Tuesday morning, Romeo and Juliet declare their love before Romeo leaves for Mantua

Juliet tries to resist the coming day that brings their separation by pretending that it is still night

Romeo is willing to throw caution to the winds and stay with her: ‘Let me be ta’en, let me be put to death/I am content, so thou wilt have it so.’

Juliet is more pragmatic and insists that he leaves:‘ O, now be gone! More light and light it grows.’

The threat of death forces the lovers to part

Act III, Scene v - Summary

Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris Juliet is stunned and tells her mother that she

cannot be married in such hasteHer father enters expecting to find Juliet excited When she expresses opposition, he is enraged

and demands Juliet obey his “decree” The Nurse tries to defend Juliet, but Capulet

threatens to disown his daughter The scene ends with the Nurse advising Juliet to

obey her father Juliet resolves to seek the advice of Friar

Lawrence

Light/Dark

Dawn divides Romeo and Juliet, this time, for good

As the sun’s rays “lace the severing clouds,” Juliet wishes the lark were the nightingale

Juliet tries to deny the arrival of the coming day to prolong her time with Romeo

As in previous scenes, Romeo and Juliet’s love flourishes in the dark, but daylight brings separation and ill fortune: Juliet says reluctantly, “window, let day in, and let life out.”

Fate and Foreshadowing

As Romeo descends the balcony, Juliet experiences a frightening vision of Romeo “as one dead in the bottom of a tomb.”

This prophetic image will prove true in the final scene when Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead on the floor

Equally Romeo states: “Dry sorrow drinks our blood’

Images of love and death intertwine, infecting the joy of their wedding night with the foreshadowing of their coming deaths

Lady Capulet and the Feud

Lady Capulet plans to avenge Tybalt’s death by poisoning Romeo

Ironic as she anticipates the method he finally chooses to take his own life

Although Romeo drinks the poison, it is the hatred, driven in part by Lady Capulet that gives him cause

Her venomous comment at Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris “I would the fool were married to her grave.” anticipates the lovers’ tragic reunion in death

It is as if Lady Capulet, by her single-minded focus on the feud condemns them to their fates

Capulet

When Capulet refused to consent to his daughter’s marriage unless she was willing, he seemed concerned for Juliet’s welfare “My will to her consent is but a part”

Such parental concern evaporates into authoritarian ranting as Capulet calls Juliet “baggage”, degrading her to a possession

He threatens Juliet with violence and disinheritance if she disobeys him, “hang! Beg! Starve! Die in the streets! / For by my soul I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee.”

His sudden transformation illustrates his tendency toward impulsive, cruel, and reckless behavior

These tendencies may have contributed to the origins of the feud

Parental Love

Juliet’s interaction with both her mother and her father confirms the failure of parental love

Their sole concern is with a socially acceptable marriage that will improve the wealth and status of the Capulet family rather than Juliet’s happiness

Juliet’s Strength

Juliet handles herself with striking maturity No longer the dutiful teenage daughter of the

Capulets, she is a young woman, a bride, a wife Her answers to her mother are skillfully truthful yet

deceptive and filled with double-meanings In response to her mother’s desire to have Romeo

killed, Juliet remarks that she “never shall be satisfied / With Romeo, till I behold him - dead - is my poor heart….”

When told she will marry Paris she snaps back immediately ‘He shall not make me there a joyful bride!’

Her father’s rage places her in a position where she has nothing to lose which encourages her defiance

Juliet will not give in

The Nurse and Juliet

The Nurse, more of a mother figure to Juliet than her biological mother, fails Juliet at this critical moment

To comfort Juliet in her desperation, she offers an easy solution - marry Paris and forget the “dishclout” Romeo

This betrays Juliet’s trust and indicates the Nurse’s inability to understand the moral, emotional or religious connotations of Juliet’s marriage

The Nurse regards love as a temporary, physical relationship, and she sees Juliet’s marriage to Paris in entirely practical and economic terms

Juliet severs herself from the Nurse (an emotionally charged act, highly symbolic of leaving childhood behind) declaring: “Go, counsellor!/Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain”

Juliet Abandoned

Appeals to the heavens: ‘Is there no pity sitting in the clouds..’

Appeals to her mother: ‘O sweet my mother, cast me not away!’

Appeals to the Nurse: ‘O Nurse, how shall this be prevented?’

Everyone has abandoned herAt the end of Act 3, she is as much ‘banished’ as

Romeo

Hope?

She flees to the Friar as a source of aid and counsel

Her isolation is nearly complete, and yet she is calm and resolute, as she determines to die rather than enter into a bigamous marriage with Paris: “If all else fail, myself have power to die.”

Like Romeo, she realises that choosing to live, or not live, can represent the only means of asserting authority over the self

She has defied her father, but knows she stands little chance of success in this male-dominated world