1 In Act 4 Scene 4, the Capulets are preparing for Juliet’s wedding; however, as readers of the play, we know that Juliet has taken Friar Lawrence’s potion and is “dead.” What type of irony is this?

Question

2 How do the Nurse and Lady Capulet react when they discover Juliet “dead” in her bed?

3 How does Lord Capulet react to Juliet’s apparent death? What does this reveal about his character?

4 How does Paris react to Juliet’s death? What does this suggest about his feelings for her?

5 How does Friar Lawrence attempt to comfort the Capulet family after Juliet’s “death”? What motivations might Friar Lawrence have for his words and actions in this scene?

Answer 1

1. The type of irony present in this situation is known as dramatic irony. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows more about a situation than the characters in the play. In this case, the audience knows that Juliet is not actually dead, but the Capulet family believes she is, which creates tension and a sense of tragic foreboding as events unfold.

2. When the Nurse and Lady Capulet discover Juliet "dead" in her bed, they react with shock and despair. The Nurse is particularly distraught, calling out for Juliet and initially expressing disbelief at the sight of her lifeless body. Lady Capulet is overcome with grief, lamenting her daughter's death and expressing profound sorrow. Their reactions underscore the deep love and affection they have for Juliet.

3. Lord Capulet's reaction to Juliet’s apparent death is one of devastation. He is initially in shock, unable to comprehend the loss of his daughter. His reaction reveals that despite his strong-willed and often authoritarian nature, he is capable of profound grief and emotion. This moment indicates the depth of his love for Juliet and the impact her loss has on him.

4. Paris reacts to Juliet’s death with anguish and sorrow. He feels a deep sense of loss, indicating that he genuinely cared for Juliet. His reaction suggests that his feelings for her were sincere and that he lamented not only the death of a potential wife but also the life and future they could have shared together.

5. Friar Lawrence attempts to comfort the Capulet family by reminding them that Juliet is in a better place and that death is a natural part of life. He emphasizes the peace she has found in death, trying to help them navigate their grief. His motivations in this scene may include a desire to mitigate their sorrow, as well as a sense of guilt for his role in the situation, knowing that his plan to help Juliet avoided a disastrous outcome has contributed to this tragic misunderstanding. Additionally, he may wish to protect Juliet’s secret and alleviate the blame that could fall on him or the events surrounding her situation.