Act IIIAct III

Misunderstanding Misunderstanding and and

DEATH DEATH ((Monday Mid-afternoonMonday Mid-afternoon))

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i Act III begins just after Romeo and Juliet’s Act III begins just after Romeo and Juliet’s

secret marriage. Remember, throughout this secret marriage. Remember, throughout this scene, no one knows that they have been scene, no one knows that they have been married and that Romeo is now related to married and that Romeo is now related to the Capulets!the Capulets!

This event (an example of dramatic irony) This event (an example of dramatic irony) is what allows is what allows (1)(1) the climaxthe climax to occur in to occur in this scene and speed the “star cross’d this scene and speed the “star cross’d lovers” toward their end.lovers” toward their end.

At the beginning of the scene, Benvolio, At the beginning of the scene, Benvolio, Mercutio, and some Montagues are on the Mercutio, and some Montagues are on the streets of Verona. it is a very hot day, and streets of Verona. it is a very hot day, and the Capulets are out looking for trouble.the Capulets are out looking for trouble.

Benvolio suggests they retire until Benvolio suggests they retire until nightfall.nightfall.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.) Mercutio chastises Benvolio for being a Mercutio chastises Benvolio for being a

hypocrite and chooses to stay out in the hypocrite and chooses to stay out in the open despite the heat.open despite the heat.

Tybalt and the Capulets enter. Tybalt is Tybalt and the Capulets enter. Tybalt is looking for Romeo (remember the letter looking for Romeo (remember the letter and the party incident).and the party incident).

Mercutio eggs on Tybalt even though Mercutio eggs on Tybalt even though (4)(4) Benvolio suggests that they get off the Benvolio suggests that they get off the street and fight where no one can seestreet and fight where no one can see them. Mercutio, again, refuses to budge. them. Mercutio, again, refuses to budge.

Romeo, happy about his recent nuptial, Romeo, happy about his recent nuptial, enters; Tybalt turns his attention toward enters; Tybalt turns his attention toward Romeo.Romeo.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.) In front of everyone, Tybalt humiliates Romeo In front of everyone, Tybalt humiliates Romeo

by openly insulting him several times. by openly insulting him several times.

(5)(5) Romeo tries to calm Tybalt by explainingRomeo tries to calm Tybalt by explaining that he does not know Romeo nor does that he does not know Romeo nor does he he understand the current situationunderstand the current situation. He begs . He begs him to leave him be (be satisfied).him to leave him be (be satisfied).

Shocked at the docile Romeo’s actions, Shocked at the docile Romeo’s actions, (6)(6) MercutioMercutio takes up for Romeo and takes up for Romeo and calls calls Tybalt a “rat-catcher”;Tybalt a “rat-catcher”; Tybalt and Tybalt and Mercutio begin to swordfight.Mercutio begin to swordfight. Romeo gets between them to separate Romeo gets between them to separate them, and in that instant, them, and in that instant, (2)(2) Tybalt stabs Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s armMercutio under Romeo’s arm..

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.) Seeing what has happened, Tybalt withdraws.Seeing what has happened, Tybalt withdraws.

Romeo checks to see that Romeo checks to see that (8)(8) MercutioMercutio is all is all right; Mercutio down plays the wound, right; Mercutio down plays the wound, curses curses both houses for their feudingboth houses for their feuding, and is carried , and is carried off stage by Benvolio.off stage by Benvolio.

Benvolio enters moments later to tell Benvolio enters moments later to tell Romeo that Mercutio has just died of his Romeo that Mercutio has just died of his wounds.wounds.

(7)(7) Romeo blames himself for not manning-Romeo blames himself for not manning-up and dealing with Tybaltup and dealing with Tybalt, which resulted , which resulted in the death of his friend and the Prince’s in the death of his friend and the Prince’s relative. His anger builds to a pitch.relative. His anger builds to a pitch.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.) Tybalt re-enters as Romeo works himself Tybalt re-enters as Romeo works himself

into a frenzy.into a frenzy.

““Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him [Mercutio]”[Mercutio]” (2)(2) Romeo avenges the death of Mercutio Romeo avenges the death of Mercutio by killing his wife’s cousin, Tybaltby killing his wife’s cousin, Tybalt. . Benvolio pushes Romeo to flee.Benvolio pushes Romeo to flee.

Before he leaves, Before he leaves, (10)(10) Romeo says, “O, I Romeo says, “O, I am fortune’s fool!”am fortune’s fool!” a reference to the fact a reference to the fact that that (3)(3) he believes this was Fate’s plan he believes this was Fate’s plan and otherwise unavoidableand otherwise unavoidable..

Others enter and Others enter and (11)(11) Benvolio sorts out the Benvolio sorts out the details of the fraydetails of the fray; the Capulets want Romeo ; the Capulets want Romeo killed for the death of Tybalt.killed for the death of Tybalt.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.) (12)(12) Prince EscalusPrince Escalus, angered at the death of his , angered at the death of his

kinsman, kinsman, sympathizes with the Montaguessympathizes with the Montagues and and refuses to take Romeo’s life (probably because he refuses to take Romeo’s life (probably because he did not start the fight).did not start the fight).

Instead, Instead, (2), (13)(2), (13) the Princethe Prince fines both families and fines both families and exiles exiles RomeoRomeo..

Exile leaves Romeo on his own, without Exile leaves Romeo on his own, without family or friends, never to return to his family or friends, never to return to his wife in Verona, that is unless he wishes to wife in Verona, that is unless he wishes to die.die.

This scene turns the beautiful picture of the This scene turns the beautiful picture of the marriage at the end of Act II on its head, marriage at the end of Act II on its head, making the feud more heated.making the feud more heated.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iScene i (cont.) (cont.)

Was this series of events Was this series of events avoidable?avoidable?

-or--or-

Was this FATE?Was this FATE?

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiScene ii

Happiness Happiness Destroyed Destroyed ((Monday Monday

around Twilightaround Twilight))

Hood my unmanned blood bating in my cheeks,Hood my unmanned blood bating in my cheeks,

With thy black mantle, till strange love, grow bold, With thy black mantle, till strange love, grow bold, 

Think true love acted simple modesty. Think true love acted simple modesty. 

Come, night. Come, Romeo. Come, thou day in night, Come, night. Come, Romeo. Come, thou day in night, 

For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night  For thou wilt lie upon the wings of night 

Whiter than new snow upon a raven's back.Whiter than new snow upon a raven's back.

Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-browed night, Come, gentle night, come, loving, black-browed night, 

Give me my Give me my RomeoRomeo. And . And when I shall diewhen I shall die, , 

Take him and cut him out in little stars, Take him and cut him out in little stars, 

And he will make the face of heaven so fine And he will make the face of heaven so fine 

That all the world will be in love with nightThat all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun. And pay no worship to the garish sun. 

Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love, Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love, 

But not possessed it, and though I am sold, But not possessed it, and though I am sold, 

Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day 

As is the night before some festivalAs is the night before some festival

To an impatient child that hath new robes To an impatient child that hath new robes 

And may not wear them.And may not wear them.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiScene ii

Initially, because of the Nurse’s lack of Initially, because of the Nurse’s lack of specificity, specificity, (2)(2) Juliet believes that Juliet believes that Romeo has been killedRomeo has been killed..

Everything begins to unravel when Everything begins to unravel when (1)(1) the the beauty of love to come is beauty of love to come is shattered by the the Nurse’s sorrowful entranceNurse’s sorrowful entrance..

In the Capulet orchard, Juliet awaits her In the Capulet orchard, Juliet awaits her wedding night with her new husband; she wedding night with her new husband; she is impatient for the day to end and night is impatient for the day to end and night to come.to come.

When the truth of the brawl is uncovered, When the truth of the brawl is uncovered, (3)(3) Juliet curses Romeo for being the Juliet curses Romeo for being the opposite of what he seemedopposite of what he seemed (“O, that (“O, that deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous place!”)place!”)

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiScene ii (cont.) (cont.)

The Nurse consoles Juliet, saying that she The Nurse consoles Juliet, saying that she will seek Romeo out to comfort her.will seek Romeo out to comfort her.

Juliet is so distraught when she finds out Juliet is so distraught when she finds out about Romeo’s exile that she compares his about Romeo’s exile that she compares his sentence with the death of her entire sentence with the death of her entire family.family.

After After (4)(4) the Nurse agrees with Juliet the Nurse agrees with Juliet (“Shame come to Romeo!”)(“Shame come to Romeo!”),, Juliet regrets Juliet regrets her initial view of Romeo, stating that “All her initial view of Romeo, stating that “All this is comfort” for Romeo is alive .this is comfort” for Romeo is alive .

Before the Nurse exits, Before the Nurse exits, (5)(5) Juliet gives her a Juliet gives her a ring to give to Romeoring to give to Romeo. This token of . This token of affection is meant to assure Romeo that affection is meant to assure Romeo that Juliet still loves him and that he is to come Juliet still loves him and that he is to come to her.to her.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiiScene iii Maintaining Maintaining Sanity Sanity ((Monday Monday

nightnight))

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiiScene iii

When he arrives on scene with the Friar, Romeo When he arrives on scene with the Friar, Romeo does not know that he has been exiled by the does not know that he has been exiled by the Prince. Prince.

The Friar relates the Prince’s sentence, and The Friar relates the Prince’s sentence, and (2)(2) Romeo goes ballistic; he states that all he has is Romeo goes ballistic; he states that all he has is in Verona (“there is no world without Verona in Verona (“there is no world without Verona walls,” “heaven is here, where Juliet lives.”)walls,” “heaven is here, where Juliet lives.”)..

After killing Tybalt, After killing Tybalt, (1)(1) Romeo seeks out Friar Romeo seeks out Friar Lawrence for asylum and comforting adviceLawrence for asylum and comforting advice..

Romeo remains inconsolable despite the Friar’s Romeo remains inconsolable despite the Friar’s advice; he even refuses to hide when someone advice; he even refuses to hide when someone knocks on the door to the cell.knocks on the door to the cell.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiiScene iii (cont.) (cont.)

The Nurse tells Romeo that Juliet “weeps and The Nurse tells Romeo that Juliet “weeps and weeps” “and Tybalt calls; and then on Romeo weeps” “and Tybalt calls; and then on Romeo cries”.cries”.

Romeo launches into a fit of self-loathing, Romeo launches into a fit of self-loathing, believing he has destroyed the very thing he believing he has destroyed the very thing he treasures most. treasures most. (4)(4) He draws his sword and is He draws his sword and is about to cut out his “name”.about to cut out his “name”.

The Friar eventually hides Romeo and lets in the The Friar eventually hides Romeo and lets in the visitor. It is the Nurse, sent by Juliet to bring visitor. It is the Nurse, sent by Juliet to bring Romeo to her.Romeo to her.

The Friar prevents Romeo from harming himself The Friar prevents Romeo from harming himself by rebuking him and his emotions; “Art thou a by rebuking him and his emotions; “Art thou a man?” The Friar proceeds to count the many man?” The Friar proceeds to count the many blessings that have been heaped upon Romeo. blessings that have been heaped upon Romeo. (3)(3) Romeo is further revived by the love token Romeo is further revived by the love token (ring) that the Nurse has brought from Juliet(ring) that the Nurse has brought from Juliet. .

Act IIIAct III, , Scene iiiScene iii (cont.) (cont.) The Friar then provides a plan to fix what has The Friar then provides a plan to fix what has

happened: “get thee to thy love, as was happened: “get thee to thy love, as was decreed” “decreed” “(5)(5) sojourn insojourn in MantuaMantua” ” “where thou shalt live, till we can find a time “where thou shalt live, till we can find a time to blaze your marriage, reconcile your to blaze your marriage, reconcile your friends, beg pardon of the Prince, and call friends, beg pardon of the Prince, and call thee back with twenty hundred thousand thee back with twenty hundred thousand times more joy then thou went’st forth in times more joy then thou went’st forth in lamentation.”lamentation.”

With this plan, With this plan, (6)(6) the Friar plans to use the Friar plans to use Romeo’s secret marriage to Juliet Romeo’s secret marriage to Juliet (soon to be (soon to be consummated)consummated) to resolve the brawl that has to resolve the brawl that has occurred; thus ending the feud between the occurred; thus ending the feud between the familiesfamilies..

Act IIIAct III, , Scene ivScene iv

Another Date is Another Date is Set Set ((late Monday late Monday

nightnight))

Act IIIAct III, , Scene ivScene iv

In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet are talking to Paris about Juliet’s reaction to are talking to Paris about Juliet’s reaction to Tybalt’s death.Tybalt’s death.

(4)(4) Everyone believes that Juliet is distraught Everyone believes that Juliet is distraught because of Tybalt’s death when the audience because of Tybalt’s death when the audience knows it is really her separation from Romeo that knows it is really her separation from Romeo that is causing her distressis causing her distress… big time … big time (3)(3) dramatic dramatic ironyirony!!

It is now It is now (1)(1) very late Sunday night/very early very late Sunday night/very early Monday morningMonday morning..

To assuage Juliet’s grief, Lord Capulet betroths To assuage Juliet’s grief, Lord Capulet betroths her to Paris and sets a date for their wedding, her to Paris and sets a date for their wedding, (2)(2) Thursday, only three days awayThursday, only three days away..

The scene ends with Lady Capulet going to tell The scene ends with Lady Capulet going to tell Juliet the news; Juliet is currently “with” Juliet the news; Juliet is currently “with” Romeo, enjoying her wedding night.Romeo, enjoying her wedding night.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene vScene v

The Honeymoon The Honeymoon and and Its END Its END

((early early Tuesday morningTuesday morning))

Act IIIAct III, , Scene vScene v The scene opens to the Capulet’s orchard; The scene opens to the Capulet’s orchard;

Romeo and Juliet are together, having just Romeo and Juliet are together, having just enjoyed their first night as man and wife.enjoyed their first night as man and wife.

(1)(1) A lark (songbird), singing in the orchard,A lark (songbird), singing in the orchard, warns the lovers that morning has arrived and warns the lovers that morning has arrived and it is time for Romeo to leave.it is time for Romeo to leave.

Juliet attempts to convince Romeo to stay; Juliet attempts to convince Romeo to stay; Romeo, taking over the role of the rational Romeo, taking over the role of the rational thinker, tells her it is morning and he needs thinker, tells her it is morning and he needs to go (he eventually switches back to his old to go (he eventually switches back to his old impetuous self).impetuous self).

The Nurse comes into the room and warns The Nurse comes into the room and warns them that Lady Capulet (carrying news from them that Lady Capulet (carrying news from Lord Capulet) is one her way to Juliet’s room. Lord Capulet) is one her way to Juliet’s room. This hastens Romeo’s exit.This hastens Romeo’s exit.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene vScene v (cont.) (cont.) As Romeo goes down the balcony, As Romeo goes down the balcony, (2)(2) the time the time

of day and Romeo’s pale appearance make of day and Romeo’s pale appearance make him look like corpse at the bottom of a tomb. him look like corpse at the bottom of a tomb. She looks the same to him.She looks the same to him.

Lady Capulet enters and Lady Capulet enters and (3)(3) Juliet acts as if Juliet acts as if she is grief-stricken over the death of her she is grief-stricken over the death of her cousin Tybaltcousin Tybalt..

Lady Capulet, to make Juliet feel better, relays Lady Capulet, to make Juliet feel better, relays (4)(4) the message concerning her betrothal to the message concerning her betrothal to Paris and their upcoming wedding on ThursdayParis and their upcoming wedding on Thursday. . Upon hearing this, Juliet becomes openly Upon hearing this, Juliet becomes openly defiant.defiant. Lord Capulet arrives on scene and is told by Lord Capulet arrives on scene and is told by his wife that Juliet has not reacted to the his wife that Juliet has not reacted to the news as expected.news as expected.

Act IIIAct III, , Scene vScene v (cont.) (cont.) Lord Capulet becomes violently angry (“My Lord Capulet becomes violently angry (“My

fingers itch.”) because fingers itch.”) because (5)(5) he feels Juliet is he feels Juliet is being irrational and ungratefulbeing irrational and ungrateful..

After hearing Juliet voice her unwillingness, After hearing Juliet voice her unwillingness, Lord Capulet tells her that Lord Capulet tells her that (6)(6) she will marry she will marry Paris, orParis, or she will be disowned and kicked out of she will be disowned and kicked out of his househis house. For a woman, this is a death . For a woman, this is a death sentence.sentence. After Lord and Lady Capulet exit, Juliet is After Lord and Lady Capulet exit, Juliet is clearly devastated by the news. clearly devastated by the news. (7)(7) Her anxiety Her anxiety is increased by the understanding that is increased by the understanding that polygamy is wrong and leads to divine polygamy is wrong and leads to divine punishment in Hellpunishment in Hell.. The Nurse advises her to forget Romeo The Nurse advises her to forget Romeo because he is banished and just marry Paris. because he is banished and just marry Paris. (8)(8) JulietJuliet becomes suddenly docile and after becomes suddenly docile and after the Nurse leaves, the Nurse leaves, decides to visit the Friardecides to visit the Friar..