Act 4 Romeo and Juliet questions
Scene 1
1. Briefly state the Friar’s solution and plan.
2. Analyze the Friar’s motivations. Why is he willing to become involved in solving Romeo and
Juliet’s marriage problems?
3. When Juliet tells Paris, “That may be, [happily met] sir, when I may be a wife,” how would Paris
and the audience have interpreted her meaning differently?
4. Explain the dramatic irony in the following exchange between the Friar and Paris:
Friar: My lord, we must entreat the time alone.
Paris: God shield I should disturb devotion! Juliet, on
Thursday early will I rouse ye.
5. Identify the imagery in Scene 1. What purpose does it serve?
Scenes 2 and 3
1.
2.
3.
4.
What causes Capulet to say “My heart is wondrous light?”
How does fate again create problems for the lovers in Scene II?
Quote a line from Juliet’s soliloquy that foreshadows her death.
Compare Juliet’s isolation with Romeo’s.
Scenes 4 and 5
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What kind of mood do the actions of Scene 4 create? How does this contrast with the mood in
scene 3?
Why do you think Shakespeare arranged scenes 3, 4, and 5 as he did?
In Scene 5, Capulet says, “Ha! Let me see her. Out alas! She’s cold.” How does this statement
reveal how the Friar’s plan is working?
Look back at Paris’ and Lord Capulet’s expressions of grief in Scene 5. Would you describe them
as sincere or artificial? Explain.
The last part of Scene 5 is a dialogue between the wedding musicians, who banter back and
forth about what song to play. What purpose does this scene, which seems quite out of place,
serve?