Discussion Questions On Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Alyssa Englert
English I
May 5, 2023
Act IV Comprehension Questions for Romeo and Juliet
Scene One
Friar Lawrence seems so uneasy about Paris requesting to marry Juliet because the Friar knows Romeo and Juliet are already married. This is dramatic irony because the audience knows that Friar knows Romeo and Juliet are married, but Paris and many other characters do not.
Paris explains the haste because since Tybalt has died, everyone is mourning, so the family is in need of a happy moment. Tybalt also says that Lord Capulet is worried that Juliet will get too depressed over Tybalt's death (Shakespeare IV.1.2-15).
Juliet insults Paris without him knowing by avoiding Paris’ talk of marriage and saying that she loves him by making her words confusing

If Juliet takes the potion, she will appear dead, in all ways, she will appear not to breathe, her body will be cold. She will also not move and she will appear this way for 42 hours(Shakespeare IV.1.89-105).
Friar Lawrence plans include Juliet agreeing to marry Paris, then Juliet will take the potion Wednesday night before the wedding. Someone will find her “dead” when they come to wake her for the wedding. The family will go through with preparing for her funeral and she will go to the tomb of her ancestors. Romeo will then return from Mantua and be there when Juliet wakes up and take her with him back to Mantua where they can be together(Shakespeare IV.1.103-120)
Scene Two
Juliet tells her father that she has been confessing her behavior to Friar Lawrence(Shakespeare IV.2.16-21)
The plans for Juliet and Paris’ wedding change in scene two by moving the wedding to Wednesday, they do this because Capulet believes Juliet is willing to get married to Paris that there is no need to wait any longer since there is enough time to get ready for the wedding(Shakespeare