Dina Amin
G10
Act 3 scene 3 summary
Paragraph summary:
Romeo hides at Friar Lawrence’s cell. Friar Lawrence tells Romeo that the prince has banished him from Verona for murdering Tybalt. Romeo views banishment as a punishment much worse than death. The nurse then arrives at the cell. Romeo assumes that Juliet thinks he is a murderer and threatens to kill himself. Friar Lawrence stops him and tells him to act like a man. Friar Lawrence comes up with a plan for Romeo, which is for Romeo to go visit Juliet that night and leave Verona together before morning. They will escape to Mantua, until news of their marriage can be spread. The nurse gives Romeo the ring sent from Juliet. Romeo’s spirits rise up. He must prepare for to visit Juliet and escape from Verona.
Theme:
In this specific scene, we realize a significant theme, which is haste and folly of youth. This theme plays an important part not only in scene three but also through the whole tragedy. An important example for folly or in other words foolishness is when Friar Lawrence and the nurse prevent Romeo from committing suicide. In this part of the scene there are two examples of foolishness which is Romeo’s desire to stab himself with his sword and Friar Lawrence stating that Romeo's emotions are unmanly. An example for haste of youth is the quick decisions Romeo and Juliet take without thinking carefully about the consequences they might cause. In this scene there are two examples of haste of youth, which are Romeo trying to kill himself without thinking of another way to solve his problem and the decision Romeo and Juliet take, which is escaping from Verona. Both actions were rushed by the characters.
Two significant quotes:
1) Thou canst not speak of that thou dost not feel…….Taking the measure of an unmade grave. (3.3.65-71)
Significance: When Romeo learns from Friar Lawrence that he has been banished from Verona, he accuses Friar Lawrence of being too old to understand this