Paris and his Page enter the scene.
Paris and his servant arrive at the tomb where Juliet is buried. Paris is carrying flowers to place on Juliet’s grave as part of a mourning ritual.
PARIS
“Give me thy torch, boy. Hence and stand aloof.”
- Paris tells his Page to hand him the torch (a light source) and then step away from him.
- Imperative Verbs (“Give”, “Stand”) → These words are commands, showing that Paris is in charge and expects to be obeyed.
- Diction (“aloof”) → This means “at a distance.” Paris wants privacy while he grieves.
“Yet put it out, for I would not be seen.”
- Paris tells the Page to put out the torch because he does not want anyone to notice him.
- Theme: Secrecy & Forbidden Acts → Paris wants to grieve in private, just as Romeo and Juliet kept their love secret.
- Dramatic Irony → The audience knows Juliet is not actually dead, but Paris does not.
“Under yond yew trees lay thee all along,”
- Paris orders the Page to lie down near the yew trees.
- Symbolism: Yew Trees → These trees are often found in graveyards and are linked to death and mourning.
- Imagery → Shakespeare creates a spooky picture of a dark graveyard with shadowy trees.
“Holding thy ear close to the hollow ground.”
- Paris wants the Page to listen carefully to the earth for any approaching footsteps.
- Personification: “Hollow ground” → The ground is described as if it can whisper secrets, adding a ghostly feel.
- Theme: Death & the Supernatural → The idea of hearing sounds from a graveyard makes the scene feel eerie.
“So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread”
- By listening carefully, the Page will hear if someone walks on the ground.
- Foreshadowing → This line hints that someone (Romeo) will soon arrive, leading to a confrontation.
“(Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves)”
- Paris describes how the ground in the graveyard is loose because of constant digging for new graves.
- Gothic Imagery → The mention of disturbed graves and soft earth adds a creepy and unsettling mood.
“But thou shalt hear it. Whistle then to me”
- If the Page hears someone coming, he should whistle as a signal.
- Theme: Suspense & Anticipation → Paris is nervous and expects someone to arrive.
“As signal that thou hearest something approach.”
- Paris repeats his instruction to make sure the Page understands.
- Repetition: “Thou shalt hear it…hearest something approach” → This repetition emphasizes Paris’s sense of urgency and anxiety.
“Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee. Go.”
- Paris takes the flowers he brought for Juliet’s grave and orders the Page to leave.
- Symbolism: Flowers → Flowers symbolize love and mourning. Paris still loves Juliet and wants to honor her.
- Imperatives (“Give”, “Do”, “Go”) → Paris speaks in commands, showing his authority but also his emotional distress.
PAGE (Aside, meaning he speaks to himself)
“I am almost afraid to stand alone”
- The Page admits he is scared to be alone in a graveyard at night.
- Theme: Fear of the Unknown → People often fear graveyards because they are linked to death and ghosts.
“Here in the churchyard. Yet I will adventure.”
- Even though he is afraid, the Page chooses to be brave and follow Paris’s orders.
- Diction: “Adventure” → Suggests courage but also uncertainty, as if he is stepping into danger.
(The Page moves away from Paris.)
PARIS (Scattering flowers on Juliet’s tomb)
“Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew”
- Paris calls Juliet a “sweet flower” and says he is scattering flowers on her tomb.
- Metaphor: “Sweet flower” → Juliet is compared to a delicate flower, emphasizing her beauty and innocence.
- Imagery: “Bridal bed” → Paris compares her tomb to a wedding bed, showing how death has replaced her wedding.
“(O woe, thy canopy is dust and stones!)”
- Paris mourns that instead of a soft wedding canopy, Juliet’s “bed” is covered in dust and tombstones.
- Contrast (Juxtaposition) → A wedding canopy represents love and comfort, but Juliet’s canopy is now cold and lifeless.
- Diction: “Dust and stones” → Harsh words highlight the cruel reality of death.
“Which with sweet water nightly I will dew,”
- Paris promises to sprinkle Juliet’s grave with perfume or holy water every night.
- Symbolism: “Sweet water” → Water represents purity, devotion, and love.
“Or, wanting that, with tears distilled by moans.”
- If he does not have perfume, he will use his tears to “water” her grave.
- Metaphor: “Tears distilled by moans” → His sorrow is so strong that his tears are like a special essence of grief.
- Alliteration: “Distilled by moans” → The repeated ‘d’ and ‘m’ sounds create a soft, sorrowful tone.
“The obsequies that I for thee will keep”
- “Obsequies” means funeral rituals. Paris vows to honor Juliet every night.
- Diction: “Obsequies” → A formal word that makes his mourning sound serious and important.
“Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.”
- He plans to scatter flowers and cry for her every night.
- Repetition: “Nightly” → Repeating this word emphasizes his devotion and grief.
- Contrast (Romeo vs. Paris) → Paris mourns in a structured, ritualistic way, while Romeo’s love is more impulsive and passionate.
(The Page whistles.)
“The boy gives warning something doth approach.”
- Paris hears the Page’s whistle, which signals that someone is coming.
- Tension & Suspense → The approaching figure (Romeo) foreshadows conflict.
“What cursèd foot wanders this way tonight,”
- Paris calls the person arriving “cursed,” seeing them as an intruder.
- Diction: “Cursed” → A strong word that creates an ominous tone.
“To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite?”
- Paris is angry that someone is disturbing his ritual for Juliet.
- Irony: “True love’s rite” → Paris believes he was Juliet’s true love, but the audience knows she loved Romeo.
“What, with a torch? Muffle me, night, awhile.”
- Paris notices that the person is carrying a torch and decides to hide.
- Personification: “Muffle me, night” → Paris asks the darkness to cover him, making the scene feel more mysterious.
- Theme: Light vs. Darkness → Darkness represents secrecy, while the torch represents discovery and truth.
(Paris steps aside as Romeo and Balthasar enter.)
ROMEO
“Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo is asking for a mattock (a tool used for digging) and a wrenching iron (a crowbar or tool to force open something).
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo is preparing to break into Juliet’s tomb. He is physically arming himself with tools meant for destruction, symbolizing both his desperation and determination.
- Analysis:
- Imperative verbs (“Give me”) show urgency and command, highlighting Romeo’s desperation.
- The violent imagery of the tools foreshadows destruction—both of Juliet’s tomb and of Romeo’s own life.
- The use of hard, practical objects contrasts with the emotional and poetic language in earlier parts of the play, emphasizing how Romeo has shifted into a state of despair.
- Themes: Love and death, fate, desperation, defying societal norms (breaking into a tomb).
“Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning
See thou deliver it to my lord and father.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo gives his servant, Balthasar, a letter and instructs him to deliver it to his father (Lord Montague) the next morning.
- Expanded Explanation: This letter is Romeo’s final message to his family, likely explaining his actions and professing his love for Juliet. By setting the delivery for morning, he ensures that no one will interfere with his plan tonight.
- Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: The letter is crucial because it will later prove Romeo’s true intentions, but it arrives too late for the Friar’s plan to work.
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows that Juliet is not actually dead, making Romeo’s actions even more tragic.
- Symbolism: The letter represents a final attempt at communication, in contrast to how letters and messages earlier in the play failed (like the one from Friar Laurence that never reached him).
- Themes: Fate and miscommunication, love and loss, tragic inevitability.
“Give me the light. Upon thy life I charge thee,
Whate’er thou hearest or seest, stand all aloof
And do not interrupt me in my course.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo demands the lantern and orders Balthasar to stay away, no matter what he hears or sees.
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo is warning his servant to stay out of his business, likely to prevent interference in his suicide. He knows his actions are extreme and doesn’t want to be stopped.
- Analysis:
- Imperative verbs (“Give me,” “stand,” “do not interrupt”) reinforce his control and determination.
- Foreshadowing: The mention of hearing or seeing something hints at the chaos about to unfold.
- Dramatic tension: The audience fears for what Romeo is about to do.
- Themes: Fate, individual agency vs. interference, tragic inevitability.
“Why I descend into this bed of death
Is partly to behold my lady’s face,”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo is entering Juliet’s tomb to look at her face one last time.
- Expanded Explanation: His love for Juliet is so strong that he must see her again before taking his own life.
- Analysis:
- Metaphor: “Bed of death” compares the tomb to a bed, symbolizing both rest and intimacy, as well as finality.
- Imagery: The phrase evokes both love and tragedy, as beds are associated with love and comfort, while death is cold and unyielding.
- Foreshadowing: This line suggests that Romeo will lie beside Juliet in death, just as he did in love.
- Themes: Love and death, fate, devotion.
“But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger
A precious ring, a ring that I must use
In dear employment.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo claims he needs a ring from Juliet’s finger for an important purpose.
- Expanded Explanation: He uses this as an excuse to justify his presence at the tomb, though his real intent is to die beside her.
- Analysis:
- Symbolism: The ring represents their love, but also irony—marriage is supposed to be eternal, yet here it’s linked to death.
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows that this is not his true reason; he is there to kill himself.
- Euphemism: “Dear employment” subtly refers to his planned suicide.
- Themes: Love and death, deception, fate.
“Therefore hence, begone.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo tells Balthasar to leave immediately.
- Expanded Explanation: He is isolating himself, ensuring no one will interfere with his tragic plan.
- Analysis:
- Short, commanding sentence shows urgency.
- Theme of isolation: Romeo is alone in his final moments, just as Juliet was when she took the sleeping potion.
- Themes: Fate, tragic inevitability, isolation.
“But, if thou, jealous, dost return to pry
In what I farther shall intend to do,”
- Literal Meaning: If Balthasar comes back to spy on him out of curiosity or suspicion…
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo suspects that Balthasar may not fully trust him and warns him not to interfere.
- Analysis:
- Personification: “Jealous” implies that Balthasar might be emotionally involved or overly concerned, making curiosity seem like an enemy.
- Foreshadowing: Romeo is prepared to act violently if disturbed.
- Themes: Fate, secrecy, tragic inevitability.
ROMEO
“By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint
And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo threatens to tear Balthasar apart and scatter his body in the graveyard.
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo, overwhelmed by grief and desperation, warns Balthasar not to interfere. The violence in his words reflects his unstable emotional state.
- Analysis:
- Swearing by “heaven” is ironic—Romeo invokes divine authority while making a brutal threat.
- Hyperbole: The idea of physically tearing someone apart is exaggerated to emphasize his rage.
- Personification: The “hungry churchyard” makes the graveyard seem alive, as if it is craving more bodies.
- Foreshadowing: This violent language hints at the destruction soon to come, including Romeo’s own death.
- Themes: Desperation, fate, violence, death as an all-consuming force.
“The time and my intents are savage-wild,
More fierce and more inexorable far
Than empty tigers or the roaring sea.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo describes himself as being wild, unstoppable, and dangerous, even more than tigers or the sea.
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo acknowledges that his emotions are uncontrollable, likening himself to untamed nature.
- Analysis:
- Animal imagery: Comparing himself to “empty tigers” (starving and aggressive) suggests that his grief has turned him into a predator.
- Natural imagery: The “roaring sea” symbolizes overwhelming power and inevitability.
- Personification: The sea and tigers are given human-like qualities, intensifying the idea that Romeo’s grief is uncontrollable.
- Foreshadowing: Romeo’s rage will drive him to irreversible actions.
- Themes: Fate, uncontrollable emotion, nature vs. human will, destruction.
BALTHASAR
“I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you.”
- Literal Meaning: Balthasar agrees to leave, obeying Romeo’s command.
- Expanded Explanation: He outwardly submits, but he is still deeply worried about Romeo’s behavior.
- Analysis:
- Irony: He says he won’t “trouble” Romeo, but in truth, he fears for Romeo’s life.
- Dramatic tension: The audience knows Balthasar is lying—he does not trust Romeo to be alone.
- Themes: Loyalty, fate, dramatic irony.
ROMEO
“So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that.” (giving money)
“Live and be prosperous, and farewell, good fellow.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo gives Balthasar money as a final gift, asking him to leave and live a good life.
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo treats this as a farewell, emphasizing that he sees no future for himself.
- Analysis:
- Irony: He wishes Balthasar to “live and be prosperous” while he prepares to die.
- Foreshadowing: This moment mirrors earlier scenes where Romeo gave money to the apothecary before buying poison.
- Contrast: Balthasar is told to “live,” while Romeo is choosing to die.
- Themes: Fate, finality, tragic inevitability, irony.
BALTHASAR (Aside)
“For all this same, I’ll hide me hereabout.”
“His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt.” (He steps aside.)
- Literal Meaning: Balthasar secretly decides to stay nearby because he does not trust Romeo’s intentions.
- Expanded Explanation: Despite Romeo’s threats, Balthasar’s loyalty compels him to remain in hiding.
- Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows that Balthasar is right—Romeo is planning to kill himself.
- Foreshadowing: Balthasar’s fear hints at the tragedy about to unfold.
- Themes: Loyalty, fate, suspicion vs. trust.
ROMEO (Forcing Open the Tomb)
“Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death,”
“Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth,”
“Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open,”
“And in despite I’ll cram thee with more food.”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo compares the tomb to a monstrous mouth that has consumed Juliet, and he is about to force it open to add himself to it.
- Expanded Explanation: He sees death as a devouring force, and he is willingly offering himself as its next victim.
- Analysis:
- Extended metaphor: The tomb is described as a “maw” (mouth) that has eaten Juliet.
- Personification: Death is portrayed as a hungry beast, emphasizing its relentless nature.
- Foreshadowing: Romeo is about to become “food” for the grave himself.
- Irony: The “womb of death” phrase is paradoxical—wombs give life, but this one holds death.
- Themes: Death as an all-consuming force, fate, tragic irony.
PARIS (Seeing Romeo)
“This is that banished haughty Montague”
“That murdered my love’s cousin, with which grief”
“It is supposèd the fair creature died,”
“And here is come to do some villainous shame”
“To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him.” (Stepping forward.)
- Literal Meaning: Paris sees Romeo and assumes he is here to desecrate Juliet’s tomb, believing Romeo caused Juliet’s death.
- Expanded Explanation: Paris has no idea that Romeo is there out of love and plans to take his own life. He still views Romeo as an enemy.
- Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows Romeo’s true intentions, but Paris does not.
- Tragic misunderstanding: Paris believes he is acting righteously, but he is about to cause more bloodshed.
- Character contrast: Paris sees Romeo as a villain, while Romeo sees himself as a doomed lover.
- Themes: Fate, misunderstanding, vengeance, tragic irony.
PARIS (To Romeo)
“Stop thy unhallowed toil, vile Montague.”
“Can vengeance be pursued further than death?”
“Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee.”
“Obey and go with me, for thou must die.”
- Literal Meaning: Paris orders Romeo to stop, accusing him of committing more crimes against the dead. He tries to arrest Romeo.
- Expanded Explanation: Paris believes that justice must still be served, even though Romeo is already doomed by fate.
- Analysis:
- Irony: Paris is trying to arrest someone who is already planning to die.
- Rhetorical question: “Can vengeance be pursued further than death?” highlights the absurdity of revenge continuing beyond the grave.
- Foreshadowing: Paris’s attempt to stop Romeo will lead to his own death.
- Themes: Fate, vengeance, tragic misunderstandings, irony.
ROMEO (To Paris)
“I must indeed, and therefore came I hither.”
“Good gentle youth, tempt not a desp’rate man.”
“Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone.”
“Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth—”
- Literal Meaning: Romeo admits he is here to die. He warns Paris not to provoke him, begging him to leave.
- Expanded Explanation: Romeo is trying to avoid another fight, but his warning foreshadows violence.
- Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: Romeo’s desperation will lead to another death.
- Dramatic irony: Paris thinks Romeo is here for evil purposes, while Romeo only wants to die in peace.
- Contrast: Romeo now values life, warning Paris to flee, even as he prepares to take his own life.
- Themes: Fate, desperation, tragic inevitability.
Romeo:
“Put not another sin upon my head
By urging me to fury. O, begone!”
Explanation: Romeo warns Paris not to make him commit another sin by forcing him into a fight. He is already burdened with guilt and sorrow, and he does not want to be responsible for more violence.
Analysis:
- Theme of Fate & Destiny: Romeo believes his fate is already sealed, and he sees any additional actions as unnecessary suffering.
- Religious Imagery: The mention of “sin” emphasizes Romeo’s internal struggle between morality and despair.
- Imperative Tone: Romeo commands Paris to leave, showing his desperation.
“By heaven, I love thee better than myself,
For I come hither armed against myself.”
Explanation: Romeo tells Paris that he does not wish to harm him and, in fact, loves him more than himself. His real intention in coming here is to take his own life, not to fight.
Analysis:
- Irony: Romeo declares love for Paris, yet he will soon kill him.
- Foreshadowing: “Armed against myself” directly hints at his impending suicide.
- Religious Oath: Swearing “by heaven” shows his sincerity and desperation.
“Stay not, begone, live, and hereafter say
A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.”
Explanation: Romeo pleads with Paris to leave and live, urging him to later remember that a “madman” (himself) showed him mercy by telling him to flee.
Analysis:
- Theme of Madness & Desperation: Romeo acknowledges his own irrational state.
- Contrast: He offers Paris life while he is about to embrace death.
- Alliteration: “Madman’s mercy” adds emphasis to Romeo’s unstable state of mind.
Paris:
“I do defy thy commination
And apprehend thee for a felon here.”
Explanation: Paris refuses Romeo’s warning and insists on arresting him, calling him a criminal (“felon”).
Analysis:
- Theme of Law vs. Chaos: Paris represents law and order, while Romeo acts impulsively out of grief.
- Dramatic Irony: The audience knows Romeo means no harm, but Paris assumes he does.
Romeo:
“Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!”
Explanation: Romeo, despite his reluctance, is provoked into fighting. He calls Paris “boy,” which shows his frustration and dismissiveness.
Analysis:
- Theme of Violence: Even in sorrow, Romeo cannot escape the cycle of violence.
- Mocking Tone: Calling Paris “boy” is meant to belittle him.
Page:
“O Lord, they fight! I will go call the watch.”
Explanation: Paris’s page, realizing the fight is serious, goes to get the authorities.
Analysis:
- Theme of Fate: No one can prevent the tragic events from unfolding, not even the law.
Paris:
“O, I am slain! If thou be merciful,
Open the tomb; lay me with Juliet.”
Explanation: As he dies, Paris requests that Romeo place him next to Juliet, showing his love for her even in death.
Analysis:
- Theme of Love & Death: Paris’s love for Juliet mirrors Romeo’s in its devotion.
- Foreshadowing: Paris is buried with Juliet, linking him to the tragic fate of the lovers.
Romeo:
“In faith, I will.—Let me peruse this face.
Mercutio’s kinsman, noble County Paris!”
Explanation: Romeo agrees to fulfill Paris’s dying wish. He then recognizes him as a nobleman and kinsman of Mercutio.
Analysis:
- Theme of Tragic Recognition: Romeo realizes too late who Paris is.
- Dramatic Irony: Paris wrongly believed Romeo came to defile Juliet’s grave.
“What said my man when my betossèd soul
Did not attend him as we rode? I think
He told me Paris should have married Juliet.”
Explanation: Romeo recalls that Balthasar mentioned Paris and Juliet’s planned marriage, but he wasn’t paying attention at the time.
Analysis:
- Theme of Miscommunication & Fate: Many tragedies in Romeo and Juliet result from misunderstandings.
“Said he not so? Or did I dream it so?
Or am I mad, hearing him talk of Juliet,
To think it was so?”
Explanation: Romeo questions whether he correctly remembers what Balthasar said or if his mind is playing tricks on him due to his grief.
Analysis:
- Theme of Madness & Despair: Romeo is unable to think clearly, blurring reality and imagination.
“O, give me thy hand,
One writ with me in sour misfortune’s book!”
Explanation: Romeo sees Paris as another victim of fate, just like himself. He takes Paris’s hand as a symbolic gesture of unity in tragedy.
Analysis:
- Metaphor: “Sour misfortune’s book” represents fate’s cruel record.
- Theme of Fate: Romeo sees himself and Paris as pawns of destiny.
“I’ll bury thee in a triumphant grave.—”
Explanation: Romeo wants to give Paris an honorable resting place.
Analysis:
- Paradox: The word “triumphant” contrasts with the tragedy of death.
“A grave? O, no. A lantern, slaughtered youth,
For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes
This vault a feasting presence full of light.”
Explanation: Romeo reimagines the grave as a lantern because Juliet’s beauty lights it up.
Analysis:
- Metaphor: The tomb is not a dark grave but a “lantern” due to Juliet’s radiance.
- Contrast: Death is usually associated with darkness, but Romeo sees light.
“Death, lie thou there, by a dead man interred.”
Explanation: Romeo lays Paris in the tomb, calling himself a “dead man” since he plans to die soon.
Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: Romeo hints at his impending suicide.
- Personification: “Death” is treated as a character.
“Have they been merry, which their keepers call a lightning before death!”
Romeo refers to a belief that some dying people suddenly become joyful or energetic right before they die. He questions whether this is what he is experiencing now, but he struggles to believe it.
- Literary device: Metaphor – “Lightning before death” compares this moment to a sudden flash of brightness before darkness (death).
- Theme: Fate – Romeo wonders if this happiness is a sign that his death is near.
“O, how may I call this a lightning?”
He expresses doubt. He cannot consider this moment a brief joy before death because he is overwhelmed by grief.
- Theme: Despair – Romeo cannot feel happiness because he believes Juliet is gone.
“O my love, my wife, Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.”
He addresses Juliet lovingly, calling her “my love” and “my wife.” He personifies death as a creature that has stolen her breath but has not yet taken her beauty.
- Literary device: Personification – Death is described as something that can “suck the honey” from her breath, as if it were a living thing.
- Theme: Love and Death – Romeo still sees Juliet as beautiful despite believing she is dead.
“Thou art not conquered. Beauty’s ensign yet is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, And death’s pale flag is not advancèd there.”
He notices that Juliet does not look pale like a dead person. Her lips and cheeks are still red, as if she is alive.
- Literary device: Metaphor – “Beauty’s ensign” refers to Juliet’s still-colorful face, while “death’s pale flag” suggests that death usually makes people look pale.
- Theme: Dramatic Irony – The audience knows Juliet is actually alive, but Romeo does not.
“Tybalt, liest thou there in thy bloody sheet?”
He acknowledges Tybalt’s dead body, which is lying in the tomb.
- Theme: Guilt – Romeo feels remorse for killing Tybalt.
“O, what more favor can I do to thee Than with that hand that cut thy youth in twain To sunder his that was thine enemy?”
Romeo wonders what else he can do to make up for killing Tybalt. He decides that the best thing he can do is kill himself with the same hand that killed Tybalt.
- Theme: Guilt and Fate – Romeo believes his own death is the only way to make amends.
“Forgive me, cousin.—Ah, dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair?”
He asks Tybalt for forgiveness and then turns back to Juliet, confused about why she still looks so beautiful.
- Theme: Tragic Irony – Juliet is alive, but Romeo does not realize it.
“Shall I believe That unsubstantial death is amorous, And that the lean abhorrèd monster keeps Thee here in dark to be his paramour?”
Romeo imagines that Death is like a jealous lover who wants to keep Juliet in the tomb as its own companion.
- Literary device: Personification – Death is described as “amorous” (romantic) and as a “lean, abhorrèd monster.”
- Theme: Death and Love – Romeo feels as if death has taken Juliet away from him forever.
“For fear of that I still will stay with thee And never from this palace of dim night Depart again.”
He refuses to leave Juliet and decides to stay in the tomb with her forever.
- Literary device: Metaphor – He calls the tomb a “palace of dim night,” comparing it to a grand but dark place.
- Theme: Love and Devotion – Romeo chooses to die beside Juliet rather than live without her.
“Here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chambermaids.”
He resigns himself to death, imagining that worms will be his companions.
- Literary device: Personification – Worms are described as “chambermaids” (servants who take care of a room).
- Theme: Death and Decay – Romeo accepts the natural process of death.
“O, here Will I set up my everlasting rest And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh!”
He declares that he will end his suffering and escape the bad luck (“inauspicious stars”) that has controlled his life.
- Literary device: Metaphor – “Yoke of inauspicious stars” compares fate to a burden that he is shaking off.
- Theme: Fate – Romeo believes he is doomed by destiny and tries to escape it through death.
“Eyes, look your last. Arms, take your last embrace. And, lips, O, you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing death.”
He says farewell to life. His eyes will look for the last time, his arms will embrace for the last time, and his lips will give one final kiss. He compares his kiss to a contract sealing his fate with death.
- Literary device: Metaphor – “The doors of breath” describe his lips as the gateway between life and death.
- Theme: Love and Death – Romeo dies believing he is reuniting with Juliet.
“(Kissing Juliet.) Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark!”
He drinks the poison, comparing himself to a ship’s captain (“desperate pilot”) steering a ship (“seasick weary bark”) to its destruction on the rocks.
- Literary device: Metaphor – His life is compared to a shipwreck.
- Theme: Tragic Love – Romeo sees death as the only way to be with Juliet.
“Here’s to my love. (Drinking.) O true apothecary, Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.”
He drinks the poison, praises the apothecary for selling him a fast-acting drug, kisses Juliet, and dies.
- Literary device: Irony – The apothecary’s medicine should heal, but here, it kills.
- Theme: Fate – Romeo’s death was foretold and unavoidable.
“Enter Friar Lawrence with lantern, crow, and spade.”
The Friar arrives just after Romeo dies, adding to the tragedy.
- Theme: Tragic Timing – If the Friar had come earlier, he could have stopped Romeo.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?”
- Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence calls upon Saint Francis, the patron saint of travelers and the poor, asking for his help and guidance.
- He then mentions that he has stumbled over graves multiple times that night.
- He sees this as a bad omen and is concerned that something terrible has happened.
- Finally, he hears someone and asks, “Who’s there?”
- Analysis:
- Religious reference: Invoking Saint Francis shows Friar Lawrence’s devotion and reliance on faith in troubling times.
- Foreshadowing: Tripping over graves symbolizes the closeness of death and suggests upcoming tragedy.
- Tension and mystery: The night setting and his stumbling in a graveyard create an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere.
BALTHASAR:
“Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar, Romeo’s loyal servant, responds, reassuring the Friar that he is a friend and someone familiar.
- Analysis:
- Loyalty: Balthasar remains close to Romeo even when things are uncertain.
- Mystery: His vague response keeps the Friar (and the audience) in suspense.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“Bliss be upon you. Tell me, good my friend,
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels’ monument.”
- Explanation:
- The Friar blesses Balthasar with “bliss” (happiness or peace).
- He notices a torch burning and describes it as “vainly” giving light to “grubs and eyeless skulls,” meaning the light is wasted because the dead cannot see it.
- He realizes the light is coming from the Capulet tomb (Capels’ monument).
- Analysis:
- Imagery: “Grubs and eyeless skulls” paints a vivid, eerie picture of decay and death.
- Personification: The torch is described as “vainly” lending light, as if it is trying to illuminate something that cannot see.
- Foreshadowing: The reference to skulls and death sets a dark, tragic mood.
BALTHASAR:
“It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar confirms that the torch is indeed in the Capulet tomb.
- He also informs the Friar that Romeo is inside the tomb.
- He refers to Romeo as “one that you love,” emphasizing the close bond between Romeo and the Friar.
- Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience already knows that Romeo is there for Juliet, increasing tension.
- Emotion: Balthasar’s wording reminds us of the Friar’s care for Romeo.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“Who is it?”
- Explanation:
- Even though Balthasar hinted at it, the Friar asks for confirmation about who is inside the tomb.
- This could be because he hopes it is not Romeo, or he is in shock.
- Analysis:
- Denial: The Friar might be hoping that he is mistaken, delaying his worst fears.
BALTHASAR:
“Romeo.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar confirms that Romeo is inside.
- His short and direct response increases tension.
- Analysis:
- Tension: The one-word answer adds weight to the tragic moment.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“How long hath he been there?”
- Explanation:
- The Friar, worried about Romeo’s well-being, asks how long he has been inside the tomb.
- This shows his growing fear that something is wrong.
- Analysis:
- Urgency: The Friar is rushing to understand the situation.
- Suspense: The audience wonders why this detail matters—what could have happened in that time?
BALTHASAR:
“Full half an hour.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar says that Romeo has been inside for about 30 minutes.
- This detail is important because we, as the audience, know that Romeo has had time to take poison.
- Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows Romeo is inside with Juliet’s seemingly dead body.
- Building suspense: Half an hour is long enough for something irreversible to have happened.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“Go with me to the vault.”
- Explanation:
- The Friar, now extremely worried, asks Balthasar to come with him into the tomb.
- He likely wants to act quickly to stop Romeo from doing anything rash.
- Analysis:
- Desperation: He now senses a tragic outcome and wants help.
BALTHASAR:
“I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar refuses, explaining that Romeo threatened him with death if he stayed.
- Romeo clearly wanted to be alone, which hints that he planned something serious.
- Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: Romeo’s warning suggests he might be doing something irreversible.
- Loyalty vs. fear: Balthasar is a faithful servant but is too scared to disobey Romeo.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
O, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.”
- Explanation:
- The Friar tells Balthasar to stay back while he goes inside alone.
- He admits that fear is overwhelming him.
- He suspects that something terrible (“ill unthrifty thing”) has happened.
- Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: The Friar’s growing fear signals that tragedy is near.
- Suspense: He expects disaster, making the audience even more anxious.
BALTHASAR:
“As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.”
- Explanation:
- Balthasar describes a dream he had while sleeping under a yew tree (a symbol of death).
- In the dream, Romeo fought someone and killed him.
- This dream is actually true—Romeo has fought and killed Paris inside the tomb.
- Analysis:
- Prophecy/Dream motif: His dream eerily predicts what actually happened.
- Dramatic irony: The audience already knows that Romeo has killed Paris.
FRIAR LAWRENCE (moving toward the tomb):
“Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this which stains
The stony entrance of this sepulcher?”
- Explanation:
- The Friar calls out to Romeo.
- He then notices blood at the entrance of the tomb, increasing his fear.
- Analysis:
- Visual imagery: The blood on the stone entrance makes the scene more tragic.
- Foreshadowing: The blood suggests that multiple people may have died.
FRIAR LAWRENCE:
“What mean these masterless and gory swords?”
- Explanation:
- He sees bloody swords lying on the ground, with no owners in sight.
- Analysis:
- Symbolism: The “masterless” swords represent death, as their owners are gone.
- Eerie tone: The abandoned weapons add to the mystery and horror of the scene.
Friar Lawrence:
“Saint Francis be my speed! How oft tonight
Have my old feet stumbled at graves!—Who’s there?”
Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence calls on Saint Francis (the patron saint of the poor) for help.
- He comments on how often he has stumbled near graves, which suggests an ominous or foreboding feeling.
- He hears someone and asks who is there.
Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: His stumbling represents the tragic events that are about to unfold.
- Religious imagery: Calling on Saint Francis emphasizes the role of fate and divine intervention.
Balthasar:
“Here’s one, a friend, and one that knows you well.”
Explanation:
- Balthasar reassures the friar that it is him and that they are familiar with each other.
Analysis:
- Loyalty: Balthasar remains loyal to Romeo, even after being threatened.
- Tension-building: The audience knows Balthasar has seen something tragic but has not yet revealed it.
Friar Lawrence:
“Bliss be upon you. Tell me, good my friend,
What torch is yond that vainly lends his light
To grubs and eyeless skulls? As I discern,
It burneth in the Capels’ monument.”
Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence blesses Balthasar and asks about the torch burning in the tomb.
- He comments that the light is useless, as it shines on the dead (“grubs and eyeless skulls”).
Analysis:
- Imagery: The description of worms and skulls reminds us of death and decay.
- Personification: The torch is “vain” because it provides light where no living people can see.
Balthasar:
“It doth so, holy sir, and there’s my master,
One that you love.”
Explanation:
- Balthasar confirms the torch is in the Capulet tomb.
- He also tells the Friar that Romeo is inside, whom the Friar cares for.
Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows Romeo is dead, but the Friar does not yet.
Friar Lawrence:
“Who is it?”
Explanation:
- He asks who is in the tomb.
Balthasar:
“Romeo.”
Explanation:
- He simply states Romeo’s name, which adds to the suspense.
Friar Lawrence:
“How long hath he been there?”
Explanation:
- He asks how long Romeo has been inside.
Balthasar:
“Full half an hour.”
Explanation:
- Balthasar says Romeo has been in the tomb for 30 minutes.
Analysis:
- Tension-building: Time is running out, as Juliet will soon awaken.
Friar Lawrence:
“Go with me to the vault.”
Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence tells Balthasar to accompany him inside.
Balthasar:
“I dare not, sir.
My master knows not but I am gone hence,
And fearfully did menace me with death
If I did stay to look on his intents.”
Explanation:
- Balthasar refuses to go inside because Romeo threatened to kill him if he stayed.
Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: Romeo’s warning suggests something tragic has happened.
- Dramatic irony: The audience already suspects that Romeo has died.
Friar Lawrence:
“Stay, then. I’ll go alone. Fear comes upon me.
O, much I fear some ill unthrifty thing.”
Explanation:
- The Friar decides to go alone.
- He expresses his fear that something terrible has happened.
Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: His fear signals that disaster is about to be revealed.
- Dramatic tension: The audience anticipates what he will find inside.
Balthasar:
“As I did sleep under this yew tree here,
I dreamt my master and another fought,
And that my master slew him.”
Explanation:
- Balthasar had a dream that Romeo fought someone and killed them.
Analysis:
- Symbolism: Dreams in Shakespeare often reflect reality—this foreshadows the truth of Paris’s death.
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows Balthasar’s dream is true.
Friar Lawrence (moving toward the tomb):
“Romeo!—
Alack, alack, what blood is this which stains
The stony entrance of this sepulcher?
What mean these masterless and gory swords
To lie discolored by this place of peace?”
Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence calls out to Romeo but sees blood at the entrance of the tomb.
- He notices the bloody swords and asks why they are here.
Analysis:
- Contrast: A tomb is supposed to be peaceful, yet it is filled with violence.
- Imagery: Blood and weapons emphasize the tragedy.
Friar Lawrence:
“Romeo! O, pale! Who else? What, Paris too?
And steeped in blood? Ah, what an unkind hour
Is guilty of this lamentable chance!
The lady stirs.”
Explanation:
- The Friar sees both Romeo and Paris dead.
- He blames fate (“unkind hour”) for this tragedy.
- Juliet begins to wake up.
Analysis:
- Theme of fate: He believes destiny has caused these deaths.
- Dramatic tension: Juliet wakes up too late.
Juliet:
“O comfortable friar, where is my lord?
I do remember well where I should be,
And there I am. Where is my Romeo?”
Explanation:
- Juliet wakes up and asks where Romeo is.
Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: The audience knows Romeo is dead, but she does not.
Friar Lawrence:
“I hear some noise.—Lady, come from that nest
Of death, contagion, and unnatural sleep.
A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents.”
Explanation:
- Friar Lawrence hears someone approaching and urges Juliet to leave.
- He says fate (“a greater power”) has ruined their plans.
Analysis:
- Theme of fate: Their love was doomed from the start.
- Personification: Fate is described as an unstoppable force.
Juliet:
“Go, get thee hence, for I will not away.”
Explanation:
- Juliet refuses to leave.
Analysis:
- Foreshadowing: She intends to stay and die with Romeo.
Juliet (seeing Romeo’s body):
“What’s here? A cup closed in my true love’s hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.—
O churl, drunk all, and left no friendly drop
To help me after!”
Explanation:
- She sees the poison in Romeo’s hand and realizes he is dead.
- She laments that he drank all of it, leaving none for her.
Analysis:
- Personification: The poison is described as an active force of fate.
- Tragic irony: Had she woken up earlier, she could have stopped him.
Juliet:
“I will kiss thy lips.
Haply some poison yet doth hang on them,
To make me die with a restorative.”
Explanation:
- She kisses Romeo, hoping to absorb some poison and die.
- She notices his lips are still warm.
Analysis:
- Dramatic irony: Romeo died only moments ago, increasing the tragedy.
- Theme of love and death: Her love leads to her death.
FIRST WATCH:
“Lead, boy. Which way?”
- The First Watchman orders Paris’s Page to lead them to the site of the disturbance.
- This line sets the stage for the discovery of the tragic scene.
JULIET:
“Yea, noise? Then I’ll be brief.”
- Juliet hears noise (the approaching Watchmen) and realizes she has little time left.
- The urgency in her words shows her desperation and determination.
Literary Device: Foreshadowing – She acknowledges the little time she has left, hinting at her immediate decision.
“O, happy dagger,”
- Juliet refers to the dagger as happy because it will reunite her with Romeo in death.
- This is ironic because a weapon of death is being called happy.
Literary Device: Personification – The dagger is given human-like emotions.
“This is thy sheath. There rust, and let me die.”
- She metaphorically calls her body the sheath (cover) for the dagger, implying that it will now rest inside her permanently.
- The word rust suggests permanence—once she stabs herself, the dagger will stay there forever, just like her undying love for Romeo.
Literary Devices:
- Metaphor – Her body is compared to a sheath for the dagger.
- Symbolism – The dagger represents both death and her devotion to Romeo.
(She takes Romeo’s dagger, stabs herself, and dies.)
- Juliet takes control of her fate, choosing to die rather than live without Romeo.
- This moment completes the tragic cycle and fulfills the fate described in the prologue (“a pair of star-crossed lovers take their life”).
Theme: Fate and Free Will – Although fate played a role, Juliet makes an independent choice to die.
The Watchmen Discover the Tragedy
PAGE:
“This is the place, there where the torch doth burn.”
- Paris’s Page confirms the location where Paris, Romeo, and Juliet lie dead.
- The torch is a symbol of illumination and truth—it reveals the tragic events that have taken place.
FIRST WATCH:
“The ground is bloody.—Search about the churchyard.”
- The Watchman notices blood on the ground and orders his men to investigate.
- Blood here symbolizes violence, tragedy, and the consequences of hatred between the Capulets and Montagues.
“Go, some of you; whoe’er you find, attach.”
- He tells the Watchmen to arrest anyone they find near the scene.
Literary Device: Imperative command – Shows his authority and the seriousness of the situation.
The Tragic Discovery
FIRST WATCH:
“Pitiful sight! Here lies the County slain,
And Juliet bleeding, warm, and newly dead,
Who here hath lain this two days burièd.”
- The Watchman expresses shock at the sight of Paris’s dead body and Juliet, who is still warm, indicating her recent death.
- His mention of “two days buried” shows the confusion—Juliet was thought to be dead, but she had only been in a deep sleep due to the potion.
Theme: Appearance vs. Reality – Juliet was not truly dead when she was buried, which led to tragic misunderstandings.
“Go, tell the Prince. Run to the Capulets.
Raise up the Montagues. Some others search.”
- The Watchman orders messengers to inform the Prince and the feuding families.
- This moment leads to the final resolution of the play, where the truth about Romeo and Juliet is revealed.
“We see the ground whereon these woes do lie,
But the true ground of all these piteous woes
We cannot without circumstance descry.”
- The Watchman says they can see the tragic deaths but do not yet understand the full reason behind them.
- “True ground” means the real cause of the tragedy.
Theme: Miscommunication and Tragedy – The cause of Romeo and Juliet’s death is a mix of fate, miscommunication, and the feud between their families.
The Arrival of Balthasar and Friar Lawrence
SECOND WATCH:
“Here’s Romeo’s man. We found him in the churchyard.”
- The Second Watchman presents Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, as a potential suspect.
- Balthasar, though innocent, was at the scene and might have answers.
FIRST WATCH:
“Hold him in safety till the Prince come hither.”
- The Watchman orders Balthasar to be detained until the Prince arrives.
- This shows that the authorities are searching for an explanation before jumping to conclusions.
Theme: Justice and Consequences – The authorities are now involved in investigating the deaths.
Enter Friar Lawrence and another Watchman.
- Friar Lawrence, who knows the full story, arrives at the scene.
- His presence foreshadows the moment when the truth about Romeo and Juliet will be revealed.
Theme: Fate vs. Human Action – Friar Lawrence’s plans went horribly wrong, leading to unintended consequences.
THIRD WATCH
“Here is a friar that trembles, sighs, and weeps.”
- The watchmen have caught Friar Lawrence, who is visibly distressed—trembling, sighing, and crying.
- Analysis: His reaction suggests guilt or fear, making him look suspicious.
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will—Despite his good intentions, fate has turned against him.
“We took this mattock and this spade from him as he was coming from this churchyard’s side.”
- The watchmen found digging tools with the Friar, suggesting he may have tampered with the graves.
- Analysis: These tools create suspicion that he was involved in something sinister.
- Theme: Misunderstanding—The Friar’s actions can easily be misinterpreted.
FIRST WATCH
“A great suspicion. Stay the Friar too.”
- The watchmen decide to detain the Friar, as he is now a suspect.
- Analysis: This shows how quickly people can jump to conclusions without knowing the full truth.
PRINCE
“What misadventure is so early up that calls our person from our morning rest?”
- The Prince is woken early and demands to know what tragedy has occurred.
- Language Device: Rhetorical question—It emphasizes the unexpected and unfortunate nature of the event.
- Theme: Tragic Fate—Even the highest authority is at the mercy of fate.
Enter Capulet and Lady Capulet
CAPULET
“What should it be that is so shrieked abroad?”
- Capulet hears loud cries in the streets and wonders what has happened.
- Analysis: The chaos in the city reflects the depth of the tragedy.
LADY CAPULET
“O, the people in the street cry ‘Romeo,’ some ‘Juliet,’ and some ‘Paris,’ and all run with open outcry toward our monument.”
- People in the streets are shouting the names of Romeo, Juliet, and Paris, rushing to the tomb.
- Analysis: The tragedy has become public, showing how deeply it affects not just the families but the entire city.
- Theme: Public vs. Private Suffering—The families’ private sorrow is now a city-wide disaster.
PRINCE
“What fear is this which startles in our ears?”
- The Prince asks what terrible event is causing such alarm.
- Language Device: Personification—Fear is described as something that “startles,” making it feel more urgent.
FIRST WATCH
“Sovereign, here lies the County Paris slain, and Romeo dead, and Juliet, dead before, warm and new killed.”
- The watchman informs the Prince that Paris, Romeo, and Juliet are all dead. Juliet’s body is still warm, meaning she died only moments ago.
- Analysis: The moment is devastating because the audience knows that Juliet’s death could have been prevented.
- Theme: Miscommunication—If the truth had been revealed earlier, this could have been avoided.
PRINCE
“Search, seek, and know how this foul murder comes.”
- The Prince orders an investigation into how these deaths happened.
- Theme: Justice—The Prince wants to uncover the truth and hold someone accountable.
FIRST WATCH
“Here is a friar, and slaughtered Romeo’s man, with instruments upon them fit to open these dead men’s tombs.”
- The watchmen present Friar Lawrence and Balthasar as suspects, as they had tools that could open graves.
- Analysis: This adds to the misunderstanding. The Friar is innocent but appears guilty.
- Theme: Fate and Coincidence—Circumstances make the Friar look responsible even though he tried to prevent tragedy.
CAPULET
“O heavens! O wife, look how our daughter bleeds!”
- Capulet sees Juliet’s wound and calls out to his wife in shock.
- Language Device: Exclamation—His grief is intense and dramatic.
- Theme: Family Tragedy—A father grieving his daughter’s death.
“This dagger hath mista’en, for, lo, his house is empty on the back of Montague, and it mis-sheathed in my daughter’s bosom.”
- Capulet points out that Romeo’s dagger, which should be with him, is instead in Juliet’s chest.
- Analysis: This symbolically shows that Juliet died by Romeo’s weapon, reinforcing their tragic connection.
- Theme: Love and Death—Their love led to their demise.
LADY CAPULET
“O me, this sight of death is as a bell that warns my old age to a sepulcher.”
- Lady Capulet says the sight of her dead daughter is like a funeral bell calling her to her own grave.
- Language Device: Simile—She compares the tragedy to a death knell, emphasizing her grief.
- Theme: Parental Loss—The pain of losing a child is unbearable.
Enter Montague
PRINCE
“Come, Montague, for thou art early up to see thy son and heir now early down.”
- The Prince tells Montague that although he has risen early, it is only to see his son dead.
- Language Device: Contrast—”Early up” vs. “early down” contrasts life and death.
- Theme: The Cost of Feud—Montague’s son has died because of the family rivalry.
MONTAGUE
“Alas, my liege, my wife is dead tonight.”
- Montague reveals that his wife has died from grief.
- Theme: The Power of Grief—The loss of Romeo has literally broken Lady Montague’s heart.
MONTAGUE
“Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.”
- Montague explains that his wife, Lady Montague, has died from the sorrow of Romeo’s banishment.
- Analysis: This shows how grief can have physical consequences, leading to death.
- Theme: Love and Loss—The loss of a child causes unbearable grief.
“What further woe conspires against mine age?”
- Montague wonders what more suffering is left for him to endure in his old age.
- Language Device: Personification—”Woe conspires” makes grief seem like a conscious force working against him.
- Theme: Fate—Tragedy follows Montague despite his wishes.
PRINCE
“Look, and thou shalt see.”
- The Prince does not explain; he simply tells Montague to see for himself.
- Analysis: This forces Montague to witness the tragedy firsthand, making it more impactful.
MONTAGUE (seeing Romeo dead)
“O thou untaught! What manners is in this, to press before thy father to a grave?”
- Montague scolds his dead son, saying it is unnatural for a child to die before his father.
- Language Device: Rhetorical question—Expresses his pain and disbelief.
- Theme: Family Duty—A father expects to die before his child, not the other way around.
PRINCE
“Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while, till we can clear these ambiguities and know their spring, their head, their true descent,”
- The Prince asks everyone to remain silent until they can uncover the truth about what happened.
- Language Device: Metaphor—”Seal up the mouth of outrage” compares anger to something that needs to be shut.
- Theme: Justice—The Prince wants to find the cause of this tragedy before reacting.
“And then will I be general of your woes and lead you even to death.”
- The Prince says he will guide them through their grief, just as a general leads soldiers into battle.
- Language Device: Metaphor—He compares himself to a general leading an army, but instead of war, he is leading them through sorrow.
- Theme: Leadership—The Prince takes charge of the situation.
“Meantime forbear, and let mischance be slave to patience.—Bring forth the parties of suspicion.”
- He urges patience, saying that bad luck should be controlled by careful judgment.
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will—People must respond to tragedy with reason, not emotion.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
“I am the greatest, able to do least, yet most suspected, as the time and place doth make against me, of this direful murder.”
- The Friar claims that, although he is a respected figure, he has no power now. The situation makes him look guilty.
- Analysis: He acknowledges that appearances are against him, even though he meant no harm.
- Theme: Misinterpretation—People assume the worst based on limited evidence.
“And here I stand, both to impeach and purge myself condemnèd and myself excused.”
- The Friar is ready to accuse himself but also clear his name.
- Language Device: Paradox—He is both guilty and innocent.
- Theme: Moral Responsibility—He takes accountability for his role in the events.
PRINCE
“Then say at once what thou dost know in this.”
- The Prince commands the Friar to reveal what he knows immediately.
- Theme: Justice—The truth must come to light.
FRIAR LAWRENCE
“I will be brief, for my short date of breath is not so long as is a tedious tale.”
- The Friar says he will keep it short because he doesn’t have much time left to speak.
- Language Device: Irony—He actually goes on to explain in detail.
- Theme: Urgency—The truth must be revealed quickly.
“Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet, and she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.”
- He reveals that Romeo and Juliet were secretly married.
- Theme: Secret Love—Their love was hidden from their families.
“I married them, and their stol’n marriage day was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death banished the new-made bridegroom from this city,”
- He explains that the same day Romeo and Juliet got married, Tybalt was killed, leading to Romeo’s banishment.
- Theme: Fate—Every happy moment is followed by tragedy.
“For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.”
- He says Juliet was grieving not for Tybalt, but for Romeo.
- Theme: Misunderstanding—Her family thought she mourned Tybalt, not Romeo.
“You, to remove that siege of grief from her, betrothed and would have married her perforce to County Paris.”
- He accuses Juliet’s parents of forcing her into a marriage with Paris, thinking it would end her sorrow.
- Theme: Parental Control vs. Individual Choice—Juliet was pressured into a marriage she didn’t want.
“Then comes she to me, and with wild looks bid me devise some mean—”
- Juliet, desperate and wild-eyed, begged the Friar for a solution.
- Theme: Desperation—Juliet felt trapped, with no other options.
Montague’s Grief (Lines 1-6)
“Grief of my son’s exile hath stopped her breath.”
- Montague says that the sorrow of Romeo’s banishment has caused his wife (Lady Montague) to die.
- Theme: The destructive power of grief.
- Analysis: This highlights how deeply personal loss affects people. Lady Montague’s death foreshadows the ongoing tragedy.
“What further woe conspires against mine age?”
- Montague asks what other misfortunes are planned against him in his old age.
- Theme: Fate and suffering.
- Language device: Personification—woe (sorrow) is described as if it is actively plotting against him.
PRINCE: “Look, and thou shalt see.”
- The Prince simply tells Montague to look around him to understand the extent of the tragedy.
MONTAGUE, seeing Romeo dead: “O thou untaught! What manners is in this, To press before thy father to a grave?”
- Montague is heartbroken to see his son dead. He calls Romeo “untaught,” meaning he lacks wisdom or understanding.
- Theme: The unnatural order of death—children should not die before their parents.
- Language device: Rhetorical question—expressing his disbelief and sorrow.
The Prince’s Authority (Lines 7-12)
PRINCE: “Seal up the mouth of outrage for awhile, Till we can clear these ambiguities”
- The Prince tells everyone to stay calm and stop shouting until they understand what has happened.
- Theme: Justice and truth.
- Language device: Metaphor—”seal up the mouth” suggests shutting down emotions.
“And know their spring, their head, their true descent,”
- The Prince wants to uncover the source (spring), cause (head), and progression (descent) of these tragic events.
- Language device: Metaphor—comparing the cause of events to a flowing river.
“And then will I be general of your woes, And lead you even to death.”
- The Prince says he will guide them through their grief like a general leading his soldiers.
- Language device: Metaphor—he compares himself to a general, showing leadership in their time of mourning.
“Meantime forbear, And let mischance be slave to patience.—Bring forth the parties of suspicion.”
- He urges patience instead of rash decisions. He then calls for the people suspected in this tragedy.
- Theme: Law and order.
Friar Lawrence’s Confession (Lines 13-26)
FRIAR LAWRENCE: “I am the greatest, able to do least,”
- He is the most important witness but has little power to prove his innocence.
- Theme: Guilt and responsibility.
“Yet most suspected, as the time and place Doth make against me, of this direful murder.”
- He admits that because of the situation, it looks like he is guilty.
“And here I stand, both to impeach and purge Myself condemnèd and myself excused.”
- He will both accuse himself and prove his innocence.
- Language device: Antithesis—contrasting “condemned” (guilty) and “excused” (innocent).
PRINCE: “Then say at once what thou dost know in this.”
- The Prince demands the Friar to explain everything.
FRIAR LAWRENCE: “I will be brief, for my short date of breath Is not so long as is a tedious tale.”
- The Friar says he will be quick because he feels his life may be short now.
- Language device: Foreshadowing—he fears punishment, possibly death.
“Romeo, there dead, was husband to that Juliet, And she, there dead, that Romeo’s faithful wife.”
- He reveals the secret: Romeo and Juliet were married.
- Theme: Secrets and fate.
“I married them, and their stol’n marriage day Was Tybalt’s doomsday, whose untimely death Banished the new-made bridegroom from this city,”
- The Friar explains that he married Romeo and Juliet, but on the same day, Tybalt was killed, leading to Romeo’s banishment.
- Theme: Fate and tragedy—one happy event led to a chain of disasters.
“For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined.”
- Juliet was not grieving Tybalt, but Romeo’s exile.
“You, to remove that siege of grief from her, Betrothed and would have married her perforce To County Paris.”
- Juliet’s father forced her to marry Paris, thinking it would cure her sadness.
- Theme: Parental control vs. personal choice.
“Then comes she to me, And with wild looks bid me devise some mean—”
- Juliet, desperate, begged Friar Lawrence to find a solution.
- Theme: Desperation and fate.
“To rid her from this second marriage, Or in my cell there would she kill herself.”
Friar Lawrence explains that Juliet was so desperate to avoid marrying Paris that she was willing to take her own life if no alternative was provided. This highlights her lack of control over her own fate, as she is trapped by societal expectations. The Friar, fearing for her life, had to find a solution quickly.
- Theme: Love and desperation—Juliet’s love for Romeo is so strong that she sees death as preferable to marrying another.
- Language Device: Foreshadowing—Her willingness to die hints at the tragic fate that awaits her.
“Then gave I her (so tutored by my art) A sleeping potion, which so took effect”
Friar Lawrence, using his knowledge of herbal medicine, created a potion to make Juliet appear dead. He carefully planned this deception to help her escape.
- Theme: Fate vs. Free Will—The Friar’s actions seem to be a solution, but fate has other plans.
- Language Device: Dramatic irony—The audience already knows the potion will lead to tragic misunderstandings.
“As I intended, for it wrought on her The form of death.”
The potion worked exactly as he planned, making Juliet appear lifeless. However, while his plan was meant to save her, it would ultimately contribute to the chain of tragic events.
- Theme: Appearance vs. Reality—Juliet only seems dead, but others believe she truly is.
- Language Device: Imagery—The phrase “form of death” paints a vivid picture of her lifeless body.
“Meantime I writ to Romeo That he should hither come as this dire night”
While Juliet was unconscious, the Friar sent a letter to Romeo, instructing him to return to Verona at night to retrieve Juliet when she woke up. This was meant to ensure their reunion.
- Theme: Miscommunication—The failure of this letter causes the ultimate tragedy.
- Language Device: Foreshadowing—The phrase “this dire night” suggests something terrible will happen.
“To help to take her from her borrowed grave, Being the time the potion’s force should cease.”
The plan was for Romeo to take Juliet from the tomb when the potion wore off. The phrase “borrowed grave” emphasizes that her death was not real—she was only temporarily placed in the tomb.
- Theme: Death and Rebirth—Juliet’s “death” was meant to lead to a new life with Romeo.
- Language Device: Metaphor—”Borrowed grave” suggests she was never truly meant to stay dead.
“But he which bore my letter, Friar John, Was stayed by accident, and yesternight Returned my letter back.”
The letter never reached Romeo because Friar John was delayed by an unexpected event. This single moment of bad luck seals the fate of Romeo and Juliet.
- Theme: Fate—A minor mishap leads to major consequences.
- Language Device: Situational irony—The audience knows how important this letter is, but the delay makes Romeo act on false information.
“Then all alone At the prefixèd hour of her waking Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault,”
Since Romeo never arrived, Friar Lawrence went alone to retrieve Juliet at the expected time of her awakening. This line conveys a sense of responsibility—he still tries to fix the situation, even though his plan is falling apart.
- Theme: Isolation—Juliet and Romeo are ultimately left alone in their struggles.
- Language Device: Tension—The audience wonders what will happen when Juliet wakes up.
“Meaning to keep her closely at my cell Till I conveniently could send to Romeo.”
Friar Lawrence planned to hide Juliet in his cell until he could find another way to contact Romeo. This was his last attempt to reunite them.
- Theme: Secrecy—The entire story revolves around secret plans that go wrong.
- Language Device: Irony—He is trying to keep her safe, but instead, she is about to face her greatest tragedy.
“But when I came, some minute ere the time Of her awakening, here untimely lay The noble Paris and true Romeo dead.”
Moments before Juliet woke up, the Friar discovered the bodies of Paris and Romeo in the tomb. The word “untimely” emphasizes the tragic nature of their deaths—Romeo died too soon, just before Juliet woke up.
- Theme: Tragic Timing—A few minutes could have changed everything.
- Language Device: Dramatic irony—The audience knows Juliet will wake up just after Romeo dies.
“She wakes, and I entreated her come forth And bear this work of heaven with patience.”
Juliet wakes up, and the Friar urges her to leave the tomb and accept the situation with patience. His words suggest that he sees this as fate’s will, though he is also trying to protect her.
- Theme: Faith vs. Despair—The Friar wants Juliet to trust that things will be okay, but she is already broken.
- Language Device: Religious imagery—Calling it “the work of heaven” suggests divine intervention, even in tragedy.
“But then a noise did scare me from the tomb, And she, too desperate, would not go with me”
Hearing a noise, the Friar panicked and ran, fearing discovery. Juliet, however, refused to leave, overcome with grief.
- Theme: Abandonment—The Friar leaves Juliet alone at her most vulnerable moment.
- Language Device: Tension—The sudden noise adds urgency and panic to the scene.
“But, as it seems, did violence on herself.”
Juliet, in despair, took her own life. The phrase “did violence on herself” is a formal way of saying she committed suicide.
- Theme: Love and Death—Juliet chooses death rather than life without Romeo.
- Language Device: Euphemism—“Did violence on herself” softens the harsh reality of suicide.
“All this I know, and to the marriage Her nurse is privy.”
The Friar states that Juliet’s nurse knew about the secret marriage, adding another person who could confirm the truth.
- Theme: Secrets and Lies—Even those close to Juliet were involved in keeping secrets.
“And if aught in this Miscarried by my fault, let my old life Be sacrificed some hour before his time Unto the rigor of severest law.”
The Friar offers to take full responsibility. He acknowledges that if his actions contributed to the tragedy, he is willing to accept any punishment.
- Theme: Guilt and Responsibility—The Friar realizes his well-intended plan led to disaster.
- Language Device: Foreshadowing—The word “sacrificed” suggests that lives have already been lost due to misfortune.
“We still have known thee for a holy man.— Where’s Romeo’s man? What can he say to this?”
The Prince reassures Friar Lawrence, acknowledging his reputation as a good man. He then calls on Romeo’s servant, Balthasar, to share his version of events.
- Theme: Justice—The truth is slowly being revealed, but it won’t undo the tragedy.
“I brought my master news of Juliet’s death, And then in post he came from Mantua To this same place, to this same monument.”
Balthasar explains that he delivered the false news of Juliet’s death to Romeo in Mantua. Upon hearing this, Romeo immediately rushed back to Verona and arrived at the tomb.
- Theme: Fate and Miscommunication—A tragic mistake leads to irreversible actions.
- Language Device: Irony—The audience knows Juliet was alive, but Romeo believed otherwise.
“This letter he early bid me give his father”
Explanation: Balthasar explains that Romeo gave him a letter and asked him to deliver it to his father (Montague) early in the morning.
Analysis: This letter is important evidence, as it confirms what happened before Romeo died. It also serves as proof of his love for Juliet and his intentions.
Themes: Fate, love, miscommunication.
Language Devices: The phrase “early bid” suggests urgency, showing Romeo’s desperation.
“And threatened me with death, going in the vault, If I departed not and left him there.”
Explanation: Romeo told Balthasar to leave and even threatened to kill him if he disobeyed.
Analysis: This highlights Romeo’s determination to die with Juliet. His threats also show his desperation and unstable mental state.
Themes: Love, death, desperation, fate.
Language Devices: “Threatened me with death” emphasizes the severity of Romeo’s emotions and foreshadows his tragic end.
“Give me the letter. I will look on it.— (He takes Romeo’s letter.)”
Explanation: The Prince asks for the letter to examine its contents.
Analysis: The letter is a key piece of evidence. It will confirm the truth of Friar Laurence’s story and prove that the deaths resulted from tragic miscommunication.
Themes: Justice, fate, truth.
Language Devices: The simple, direct command “Give me the letter” shows the Prince’s authority and determination to uncover the truth.
“Where is the County’s page, that raised the watch?—Sirrah, what made your master in this place?”
Explanation: The Prince calls for Paris’s page, the one who alerted the guards. He asks why Paris was at Juliet’s tomb.
Analysis: This shows the Prince’s commitment to understanding the full picture before making judgments. It also highlights the chaos that led to multiple deaths.
Themes: Justice, order, tragedy.
Language Devices: The use of “Sirrah” (a term for addressing a servant) shows the Prince’s authority.
“He came with flowers to strew his lady’s grave And bid me stand aloof, and so I did.”
Explanation: The Page explains that Paris came to lay flowers on Juliet’s tomb and told him to stay away.
Analysis: Paris’s visit is an act of devotion, showing his genuine love for Juliet.
Themes: Love, devotion, loss.
Language Devices: The phrase “strew his lady’s grave” is poetic and gentle, emphasizing Paris’s tenderness.
“Anon comes one with light to ope the tomb, And by and by my master drew on him, And then I ran away to call the watch.”
Explanation: The Page describes how Paris saw Romeo arrive with a torch to open Juliet’s tomb. Paris then drew his sword, and the Page ran to get the guards.
Analysis: This explains how the fight between Romeo and Paris started and why the guards arrived too late.
Themes: Fate, conflict, miscommunication.
Language Devices: “Drew on him” is dramatic and highlights the violent turn of events.
“This letter doth make good the Friar’s words, Their course of love, the tidings of her death;”
Explanation: The Prince confirms that the letter proves Friar Laurence’s story is true.
Analysis: The letter serves as proof that Romeo and Juliet’s love was real and that their deaths were not intentional murder but a tragic accident.
Themes: Truth, fate, miscommunication.
Language Devices: “This letter doth make good” uses formal, legal-sounding language, emphasizing justice.
“And here he writes that he did buy a poison Of a poor ’pothecary, and therewithal Came to this vault to die and lie with Juliet.”
Explanation: The Prince reads that Romeo bought poison from a poor apothecary and came to die next to Juliet.
Analysis: This confirms that Romeo’s death was a suicide and not a crime.
Themes: Fate, love, tragedy.
Language Devices: “Poor ’pothecary” highlights how desperation led both Romeo and the apothecary to their choices.
“Where be these enemies?—Capulet, Montague, See what a scourge is laid upon your hate,”
Explanation: The Prince calls on the feuding families and tells them that their hatred has caused this tragedy.
Analysis: He blames the Montagues and Capulets for the deaths, reinforcing the idea that their conflict led to the loss of their children.
Themes: Family conflict, fate, justice.
Language Devices: “Scourge” (meaning punishment) gives a biblical tone, as if divine justice has struck them.
“That heaven finds means to kill your joys with love,”
Explanation: The Prince states that divine fate has punished them by turning their children’s love into their downfall.
Analysis: This highlights the irony that love, which should bring happiness, has led to their suffering.
Themes: Fate, love, divine justice.
Language Devices: The contrast between “kill” and “love” creates irony.
“And I, for winking at your discords too, Have lost a brace of kinsmen. All are punished.”
Explanation: The Prince admits that he also played a role in this tragedy by not stopping the feud earlier. He has lost two relatives as a result.
Analysis: This moment of self-reflection shows that the Prince recognizes his own failure in maintaining peace.
Themes: Justice, fate, responsibility.
Language Devices: “Brace of kinsmen” (meaning two relatives) emphasizes his personal loss.
“O brother Montague, give me thy hand. This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more Can I demand.”
Explanation: Capulet calls Montague “brother” and offers his hand in peace. He says Juliet’s love is all that remains.
Analysis: This marks the reconciliation between the feuding families, but it comes at the cost of their children’s lives.
Themes: Reconciliation, loss, love.
Language Devices: “Brother Montague” is a symbol of unity and peace.
“But I can give thee more, For I will ray her statue in pure gold,”
Explanation: Montague says he will honor Juliet by building a golden statue of her.
Analysis: This gesture represents the love and sorrow both families now share.
Themes: Honor, loss, remembrance.
Language Devices: “Ray her statue” (meaning decorate or adorn) gives an image of Juliet being immortalized.
“That whiles Verona by that name is known, There shall no figure at such rate be set As that of true and faithful Juliet.”
Explanation: Montague promises that as long as Verona exists, no statue will be as valuable as Juliet’s.
Analysis: This final act honors Juliet’s loyalty and love, ensuring her legacy.
Themes: Love, remembrance, fate.
Language Devices: “True and faithful Juliet” is a tribute to her devotion.
“As rich shall Romeo’s by his lady’s lie, Poor sacrifices of our enmity.” (Capulet)
Explanation: Capulet declares that Romeo will also have a statue as grand as Juliet’s, lying beside her in death. He acknowledges that both Romeo and Juliet were tragic victims of their families’ feud.
Analysis: Capulet’s words show that he finally sees the consequences of their enmity. The use of “poor sacrifices” suggests that Romeo and Juliet were unwillingly caught in the crossfire of their families’ hatred.
Themes: Tragedy, reconciliation, loss.
Language Devices:
- Contrast: “Rich” (statue) vs. “poor” (sacrifices) highlights the irony that their wealth and status couldn’t save them.
- Symbolism: The statues serve as lasting memorials of love and loss.
“A glooming peace this morning with it brings.” (Prince)
Explanation: The Prince acknowledges that this morning brings a sorrowful kind of peace—though the feud has ended, it came at a terrible cost.
Analysis: The phrase “glooming peace” is an oxymoron, showing that while there is an end to the conflict, it is overshadowed by grief.
Themes: Fate, justice, sorrow.
Language Devices:
- Oxymoron: “Glooming peace” emphasizes the bittersweet resolution.
“The sun for sorrow will not show his head.” (Prince)
Explanation: The Prince personifies the sun, saying it refuses to shine because of the sorrowful events.
Analysis: This reinforces the somber mood and suggests that even nature mourns for Romeo and Juliet.
Themes: Fate, sorrow, nature reflecting human emotions.
Language Devices:
- Personification: The sun is given human emotions, making the tragedy feel even grander.
“Go hence to have more talk of these sad things. Some shall be pardoned, and some punishèd.” (Prince)
Explanation: The Prince tells everyone to leave, as they will discuss the consequences later. Some people will be forgiven, while others will be punished.
Analysis: This suggests that justice will still be served, even though the biggest loss has already occurred.
Themes: Justice, accountability, fate.
Language Devices:
- Juxtaposition: “Pardoned” vs. “punished” highlights the complexity of justice.
“For never was a story of more woe Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” (Prince)
Explanation: The Prince declares that no story has ever been more tragic than that of Romeo and Juliet.
Analysis: This line serves as the final word on their story, cementing it as a timeless tragedy. The inversion of “Juliet and her Romeo” (instead of “Romeo and Juliet”) subtly emphasizes Juliet’s central role.
Themes: Love, fate, tragedy.
Language Devices:
- Superlative: “Never was a story of more woe” makes the tragedy feel ultimate and unmatched.
- Reversal: “Juliet and her Romeo” gives Juliet prominence in the story’s ending.
“All exit.”
Explanation: The play concludes with everyone leaving, symbolizing the end of the conflict.
Analysis: The tragedy is complete, and the audience is left to reflect on the consequences of hatred, fate, and love.
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