FRIAR LAWRENCE

“On Thursday, sir? The time is very short.”

• Explanation: Friar Lawrence is surprised that the wedding between Paris and Juliet is happening so soon (on Thursday). He thinks it is too quick.
• Analysis: This shows that Friar Lawrence is worried about the rushed marriage. It also hints that he may already have concerns about Juliet’s feelings.
• Language Device: Rhetorical question – The Friar questions the timing, emphasizing his doubt.

PARIS

“My father Capulet will have it so,
And I am nothing slow to slack his haste.”

• Explanation: Paris explains that Lord Capulet, Juliet’s father, wants the marriage to happen quickly. Paris himself is not trying to slow things down.
• Analysis: This shows that Paris is following Capulet’s wishes rather than considering Juliet’s feelings. He assumes that rushing the wedding is acceptable.
• Language Device: Double negative (“nothing slow to slack”) – Paris is emphasizing that he is not delaying the wedding at all.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

“You say you do not know the lady’s mind?
Uneven is the course. I like it not.”

• Explanation: The Friar questions Paris about whether Juliet agrees to the marriage. He then comments that this situation feels unbalanced and troubling.
• Analysis: This line highlights the problem—Paris is marrying Juliet without truly knowing how she feels. Friar Lawrence finds this concerning.
• Language Device: Metaphor (“uneven is the course”) – The Friar compares the rushed marriage to an unstable path, showing his unease.

PARIS

“Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt’s death,
And therefore have I little talk of love,”

• Explanation: Paris explains that Juliet is still deeply mourning her cousin Tybalt’s death. Because of this, they have not spoken much about love.
• Analysis: This shows that Paris is aware of Juliet’s sadness, but he does not seem to understand its true cause (she is heartbroken over Romeo, not just Tybalt).
• Language Device: Hyperbole (“Immoderately she weeps”) – Paris exaggerates how much Juliet is crying, making it seem extreme.

“For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.”

• Explanation: Paris says that the goddess of love (Venus) does not bring romance to a house filled with sadness.
• Analysis: This suggests that he understands Juliet is grieving, but he still wants to marry her quickly, ignoring her emotions.
• Language Device: Personification (Venus “smiles”) – Love is given human-like behavior to emphasize how love cannot flourish in sorrow.

PARIS

“Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous
That she do give her sorrow so much sway,”

• Explanation: Paris explains that Capulet believes it is dangerous for Juliet to grieve for too long.
• Analysis: This reflects how Capulet sees Juliet’s emotions as a problem rather than understanding her pain. He thinks marriage will fix her sadness.
• Language Device: Diction (“dangerous”) – The word choice makes grief seem like a threat that must be controlled.

“And in his wisdom hastes our marriage
To stop the inundation of her tears,”

• Explanation: Capulet thinks that rushing the marriage will stop Juliet from crying so much.
• Analysis: Capulet assumes that forcing Juliet into marriage will cure her grief, but this is a misunderstanding of her emotions.
• Language Device: Metaphor (“inundation of her tears”) – Grief is compared to a flood, suggesting Juliet’s emotions are overwhelming.

“Which, too much minded by herself alone,
May be put from her by society.”

• Explanation: Paris says that Juliet is thinking too much about her sorrow because she is alone. He believes that being around others (through marriage) will distract her.
• Analysis: This shows how little Paris understands Juliet’s true feelings. He sees marriage as a solution rather than considering what she actually wants.
• Language Device: Contrast (“herself alone” vs. “society”) – Paris suggests that loneliness makes grief worse, while marriage (being with someone) will fix it.

“Now do you know the reason of this haste.”

• Explanation: Paris tells the Friar that now he understands why the wedding is happening so quickly—Capulet thinks it will help Juliet recover.
• Analysis: The urgency of the marriage is based on false assumptions. Juliet is not just sad about Tybalt—she is secretly already married to Romeo.

FRIAR LAWRENCE (aside)

“I would I knew not why it should be slowed.”

• Explanation: The Friar says to himself (not out loud) that he wishes he did not know why the wedding should be delayed.
• Analysis: The audience knows that the real reason is because Juliet is already married to Romeo. The Friar is in a difficult position—he cannot reveal the truth, but he also cannot let this marriage happen.
• Language Device: Dramatic irony – The audience knows something that Paris does not (Juliet is married), creating tension.

FRIAR LAWRENCE

“Look, sir, here comes the lady toward my cell.”

• Explanation: The Friar points out that Juliet is arriving.
• Analysis: This line shifts the focus to Juliet, who is about to enter and face Paris. The audience wonders how she will react.