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Romeo and Juliet – Act 4 Questions
Act 4, Scene 1 (Pages 190 to 198)
1. What is the setting of this scene?
2. What is Paris asking Friar Lawrence to do?
3. Why does Paris say that Capulet wants the wedding between Juliet and Paris to be rushed?
4. Describe the interaction between Juliet and Paris on pages 190 to 192. What is it like?
5. Juliet is obviously in quite a desperate state at this point. What does she bring with her to Friar
Lawrence’s? What is she threatening to do with it?
6. Juliet comes to Friar Lawrence’s cell seeking a plan to stop the marriage between Paris and
herself, and indeed, the Friar devises a plan. Describe this plan in detail.
7. Does Juliet agree to the plan? How is the Friar going to inform Romeo? Is Juliet scared?
8. What are some other possible solutions at this point to Romeo and Juliet’s situation?
Act 4, Scene 2 (Pages 198 to 203)
 Setting: the Capulet house
 Capulet is making arrangements for Juliet’s wedding despite her reaction to the news the night
before. Servants are busy inviting guests, hiring cooks to make the meal, and decorating.
 Juliet returns from Friar Lawrence’s cell; she tells her father that she is sorry for disobeying
him and Friar Lawrence has advised her to get on her knees and beg for her father’s forgiveness
(which Juliet does). She tells her father that she will be obedient to him from now on, which
really pleases Capulet. Juliet also mentions that she was kind to Paris when she saw him at the
church.
 This obviously makes Capulet very happy; he then declares that the wedding will take place the
next day. He orders the Nurse and Lady Capulet to help Juliet prepare for her wedding the next
day while he goes to inform Paris that the wedding will take place tomorrow.
Act 4, Scene 3 (Pages 204 to 208)
1. Where does this scene take place?
2. What does Juliet say to convince the Nurse and her mother to leave her alone for the night?
3. As Juliet prepares to drink the vial, does she seem totally committed to following through with
the Friar’s plan? Describe the thought process she goes through on pages 204 to 208 by
answering the following questions:
 How long is the potion to last?
 What will Juliet do if the potion does not work?
 What doubts does Juliet have about Friar Lawrence?
 What are other fears that Juliet has as she prepares to drink the potion?
Act 4, Scene 4 (Pages 208 to 211)
 Setting: the main hall of Capulet’s house
 It is 3:00 am and the Capulets, the Nurse, and the servants are busily preparing for Paris and
Juliet’s wedding (decorations, food, etc). Capulet is in a great mood and is joking with everyone.
 Capulet sends the Nurse to awaken Juliet and help her get ready for the wedding as he hears
Paris approaching with the musicians. Capulet says he will chat with Paris in the meantime.
Act 4, Scene 5 (Pages 212 to 223)
1. What is the setting of the scene?
2. Describe how the Nurse attempts to wake up Juliet.
3. Describe Capulet and Lady Capulet’s reaction to finding Juliet’s body.
4. Describe Paris’s reaction to Juliet’s “death?”
5. How does Friar Lawrence change the mood for the mourning family on pages 216 to 218?
6. What do you think the Friar means when he says, “The heavens do lour upon you for some ill; Move
them no more by crossing their high will” (line 97-98)?
7. Describe the interaction between Peter and the musicians. Why do you think Peter acts the way
he does? Why do the musicians respond in the way they do?