Romeo and Juliet Act 3, Scene 5

Romeo and Juliet enter in her bed chamber. They say their last goodbyes. Juliet argues that she hears the nightingale, the bird of the night, and that it is not time yet for Romeo to leave. He argues that it is the lark, the bird of the morning, and that he must leave, so he will not be put to death. Juliet asks if they will ever meet again. She says that she has an image of Romeo dead: "Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low,/ As one dead in the bottom of a tomb." Act 3, Scene 5, lines 55-6 They say goodbye and Romeo leaves.

Topic Tracking: Fate 7

Juliet's mother enters her bed chamber. They talk about their grief over the dead Tybalt. Her mother tells Juliet of her father's plans to make her feel better - to have her marry Paris on Thursday. Juliet refuses this idea. Her father enters her bed chamber and says that he feels unappreciated by Juliet. He threatens to disown her if she does not obey his wishes to have her marry Paris on Thursday. Juliet pleads with him, but he is very angry. Nurse tries to stick up for Juliet, but Capulet silences her. Juliet is anguished by all of this.

"Is there no pity sitting in the clouds
That sees into the bottom of my grief?
O sweet my mother, cast me not away!
Delay this marriage for a month, a week,
Or if you do not, make the bridal bed
In that dim monument where Tybalt lies." Act 3, Scene 5, lines 198- 203

Topic Tracking: Misery 7

Capulet and his wife leave, and Juliet turns to her Nurse for comfort. She suggests that Juliet marry Paris, as he is a good and noble man. Juliet tells Nurse to tell her mother that she is going to Friar Laurence's cell to confess her sins and be absolved. Nurse leaves. Juliet is determined to seek help from the friar, and if he cannot help her, she says she will die. She exits.