Act+4

. **Act IV. Scene I. -** Verona. Friar Laurence's Cell. Friar Laurence: "I do spy a kind of hope...." **Paris reveals that his wedding has been moved forward to Thursday, earlier than expected. Juliet is cold to Paris. Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a potion simulating death, allowing Romeo to take her away unopposed to Mantua since everyone will think she is dead at the Capulet's ancient vault or burial ground.** Within Friar's cell, Friar Laurence and Paris are speaking. Friar Laurence learns that the wedding between Paris and Juliet will occur earlier than planned, on Thursday (Lines 1-4). Paris explains that Juliet is very upset, presuming that this sadness is the result of Tybalt's death. The audience of course knows better; Juliet is mourning the imminent loss of her Romeo. Juliet enters and Paris greets her warmly and enthusiastically. He believes Juliet has come to the Friar to confess her love for him (Line 23). Juliet cannot and her speech to him is hostile (Lines 22-32). Paris assumes Juliet is merely still upset by the loss of Tybalt and does not take her reluctance to be wedded nor her hostility towards him very seriously. Paris now leaves the Friar and Juliet to talk amongst themselves (Line 40). Juliet despairs of her situation to Friar Laurence, thinking like Romeo of suicide (Lines 50-67). Friar Laurence suggests an alternative, "Hold daughter; I do spy a kind of hope, / Which craves as desperate an execution / As that is desperate which we would prevent" (I have a cunning plan as desperate as the terrible situation you wish to avoid), (Line 68). Friar Laurence suggests that if Juliet is willing to die to avoid marriage, then she should have little objection to drinking a solution of the Friar's which will simulate death (Lines 70-88). The Friar tells Juliet to no longer resist the marriage to Paris; tomorrow on Wednesday night, Juliet is to sleep alone and not with her maid as usual (Lines 90-93). Juliet will drink a substance provided by the Friar which will make Juliet drowsy and put her to sleep, a sleep so convincing that Juliet shall "appear like death;" (Line 103). Then once declared dead, Juliet according to custom will be buried in the same ancient vault in which all the dead Capulet lie. By this time, Juliet will be awake, and Romeo, who will be informed of this plan by letter, will watch Juliet awake and then "Shall Romeo bear thee hence to Mantua" (take Juliet to Mantua), (Line 117) Sc2