1. Act IV

2. Hatching a Plan Hatching a Plan (Tuesday Mid-morning) (Tuesday Mid-morning) Act IV, Scene i

3. Act IV begins in Friar Lawrence’s cell. (1) Paris has arrived to solidify the wedding plans for Thursday. Act IV begins in Friar Lawrence’s cell. (1) Paris has arrived to solidify the wedding plans for Thursday. After explaining to the Friar why haste is being urged, (2) Juliet is really there to_________________________ though she arrives prepared for “confession”. After explaining to the Friar why haste is being urged, (2) Juliet is really there to_________________________ though she arrives prepared for “confession”. (1) The Friar, learning of this second marriage, states that, “Uneven is the course, I like it not.” (1) The Friar, learning of this second marriage, states that, “Uneven is the course, I like it not.” (3) Juliet is quite cold to Paris’ proclamations of love and references to their forthcoming marriage. (3) Juliet is quite cold to Paris’ proclamations of love and references to their forthcoming marriage.

4. Act IV, Scene i (cont.) After Paris is ushered out by the Friar, (4) Juliet threatens to commit suicide unless he helps her out of her predicament. After Paris is ushered out by the Friar, (4) Juliet threatens to commit suicide unless he helps her out of her predicament. The Friar tries to calm Juliet, but it does not work. She is insistent that if she is without help she will kill herself. The Friar tries to calm Juliet, but it does not work. She is insistent that if she is without help she will kill herself. (5) The Friar then develops a plan: (5) The Friar then develops a plan: He gives Juliet a potion that will make her sleep for 42 hours. He gives Juliet a potion that will make her sleep for 42 hours. When she wakes in the Capulet family crypt, Romeo will be there to take her to Mantua. When she wakes in the Capulet family crypt, Romeo will be there to take her to Mantua. The Friar will let Romeo know of this plan by sending him a letter that another friar will carry to him. The Friar will let Romeo know of this plan by sending him a letter that another friar will carry to him. Friar Lawrence believes he has two days to get the letter there. Friar Lawrence believes he has two days to get the letter there.

5. Act IV, Scene ii The Plot Speeds Up (Wednesday Mid-morning) The Plot Speeds Up (Wednesday Mid-morning)

6. Act IV, Scene ii After Juliet (1) apologizes to her father for her insolence and agrees to marry Paris, (2) Lord Capulet, thrilled by the change, moves the date of the wedding up to Wednesday, less than 12 hours away. After Juliet (1) apologizes to her father for her insolence and agrees to marry Paris, (2) Lord Capulet, thrilled by the change, moves the date of the wedding up to Wednesday, less than 12 hours away. As Lord Capulet voices his hope that Friar Lawrence can talk some sense into (1) Juliet, she, happier and much changed, arrives. As Lord Capulet voices his hope that Friar Lawrence can talk some sense into (1) Juliet, she, happier and much changed, arrives. In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet are preparing for the wedding on Thursday. In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet are preparing for the wedding on Thursday. This scene allows the pace of the play to pick up, as it has been from the very beginning of Act I, building to the tragic end. This scene allows the pace of the play to pick up, as it has been from the very beginning of Act I, building to the tragic end.

7. Act IV, Scene iii Drinking “Death” (Wednesday Late Afternoon) Drinking “Death” (Wednesday Late Afternoon)

8. Act IV, Scene iii Juliet asks the Nurse to leave her alone and does not confide in her about what she plans to do. This is most likely because of the Nurse’s reaction in Act III (“I think it best you married with the County”) and because (1) the Nurse is so talkative. Juliet asks the Nurse to leave her alone and does not confide in her about what she plans to do. This is most likely because of the Nurse’s reaction in Act III (“I think it best you married with the County”) and because (1) the Nurse is so talkative. When Lady Capulet exits, (2) Juliet questions the plan: When Lady Capulet exits, (2) Juliet questions the plan: She fears the mixture may not work. She fears the mixture may not work. She thinks the Friar may be trying to kill her to cover up her secret marriage to Romeo. She thinks the Friar may be trying to kill her to cover up her secret marriage to Romeo. She hypothesizes that if she wakes before Romeo comes she may suffocate in a death-stench filled crypt. She hypothesizes that if she wakes before Romeo comes she may suffocate in a death-stench filled crypt. She worries that waking in the crypt she might go mad/crazy. She worries that waking in the crypt she might go mad/crazy. In Juliet’s chamber, the Nurse aids Juliet in preparing for the wedding the next day, Wednesday. In Juliet’s chamber, the Nurse aids Juliet in preparing for the wedding the next day, Wednesday.

9. Act IV, Scene iii (cont.) During this scene, (3) sympathy is built for Juliet because… During this scene, (3) sympathy is built for Juliet because… She is all alone. She has no one to confide in, no one to trust. She has no control over her present situation.

10. Act IV, Scene iv Preparation (VERY early Thursday morning) Preparation (VERY early Thursday morning)

11. Act IV, Scene iv The situation is mildly comical and very ironic, for with the plan in motion (1) they are really preparing for a funeral. The situation is mildly comical and very ironic, for with the plan in motion (1) they are really preparing for a funeral. In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet are busy preparing for the wedding that they believe will soon occur. In the Capulet house, Lord and Lady Capulet are busy preparing for the wedding that they believe will soon occur. It is clear that the plans for the quiet, little affair have become bigger because of (2) the amount of cooks that have been hired (20) and Lord Capulet’s line, “Look to the baked meats, good Angelica: spare not for cost.” It is clear that the plans for the quiet, little affair have become bigger because of (2) the amount of cooks that have been hired (20) and Lord Capulet’s line, “Look to the baked meats, good Angelica: spare not for cost.”

12. Act IV, Scene v The Nurse, on orders from Lord Capulet, has come into Juliet’s chamber to get her ready for Paris’ arrival. The Nurse, on orders from Lord Capulet, has come into Juliet’s chamber to get her ready for Paris’ arrival. When (1) the Nurse opens the curtains, she notes Juliet’s body temperature and complexion and believes that Juliet is “dead”. When (1) the Nurse opens the curtains, she notes Juliet’s body temperature and complexion and believes that Juliet is “dead”. (1) Lady Capulet follows the screams and is also convinced that Juliet is “dead”. (1) Lord Capulet comes next and also believes his daughter has “died”. (1) Lady Capulet follows the screams and is also convinced that Juliet is “dead”. (1) Lord Capulet comes next and also believes his daughter has “died”. The (2) reaction of Juliet’s parents and the Nurse is one of complete shock and woe; they weep, wail, and mourn the rapid turn of events. The (2) reaction of Juliet’s parents and the Nurse is one of complete shock and woe; they weep, wail, and mourn the rapid turn of events.

13. Act IV, Scene v The Discovery (VERY early Thursday morning) The Discovery (VERY early Thursday morning)

14. Act IV, Scene v (cont.) The Friar and County Paris enter and find the Capulets mourning the loss of their “beloved” only child. The Friar and County Paris enter and find the Capulets mourning the loss of their “beloved” only child. (3) Friar Lawrence comforts the family by reminding them that Juliet is in a better place (eternal life) and pushes the plan forward by suggesting, “in all her best array bear her to church”. (3) Friar Lawrence comforts the family by reminding them that Juliet is in a better place (eternal life) and pushes the plan forward by suggesting, “in all her best array bear her to church”. Oddly enough, the scene of “woe” ends with the Capulet servant Peter fighting with the musicians Paris brought with him. He wishes them to play a song to cheer him up, but they refuse to because it seems inappropriate. This is meant to break the tension created by the events that came before. Oddly enough, the scene of “woe” ends with the Capulet servant Peter fighting with the musicians Paris brought with him. He wishes them to play a song to cheer him up, but they refuse to because it seems inappropriate. This is meant to break the tension created by the events that came before.