1 Answer

In scene 4.1, the county Paris approaches Friar Laurence to ask to marry Juliet the next day (Thursday). The Friar is hesitant to agree, as he is well aware of Juliet's prior marriage to Romeo, but Paris insists that a hasty marriage will help end Juliet's sorrow over Tybalt's death. Juliet enters, and basically gives Paris a very cold reception. She speaks with much cynicism, and brushes Paris off by asking to speak with the Friar. Paris exits at the request of Friar Laurence, and Juliet finally lets all her sorrow and fear out. She pleads with the Friar to help her solve her dilemma, for she would rather die than marry Paris. The Friar gives Juliet a special potion which she is instructed to drink that night before she sleeps. The next morning, she will appear to be dead: "No warmth, no breath shall testify thou livest", and will be placed in the Capulet vault. Meanwhile, while Juliet is in her coma, Friar Laurence plans to send for Romeo to bid him to return for his wife. Juliet, desperate, agrees to the plan, and bids the Friar farewell.

ANALYSIS:
The action in 4.1 is driven forward by personal desire of all kinds. Paris desires only to marry his love and end her suffering so that she may be happy. Juliet desires to stay faithful to her true husband and avoid marriage to Paris at all costs. The Friar desires to do what is honorable and bring peace to Verona. He also sees that Juliet should not be doubly married, and knows that Paris does not deserve to be involved in a marriage where he is ignorant of the true circumstances. Therefore, these "triggers" lead to the Friar's taking control of the situation and offering to assist Juliet. The audience is left with an enticing forward at the conclusion of the scene, in which the uncertainty of Juliet's scheme is of paramount interest.