In William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Juliet expresses several fears before she takes the poison. These fears stem from her deep sense of desperation and the weight of her circumstances. Here are three particular fears she articulates:
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Fear of dying too soon: Juliet worries that the potion might not work as intended, which may leave her alive but still wed to Paris. She fears that she might wake up too early in the tomb, surrounded by the bodies of her ancestors, which could drive her to madness. This is evident when she says:
"What if it be a poison, which the friar / Subtly hath minister'd to have me dead, / Lest in this marriage he should be dishonored / Because he married me before to Romeo?" (Act 4, Scene 1)
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Fear of the tomb: She is terrified of being entombed alone among the dead, fearing the horrific sight of her ancestors' graves. This anxiety highlights her sense of claustrophobia and dread of being buried alive. She expresses this fear:
"…and, being dead, / I have a fear that I will awake / And find my Romeo with his body laid / And staring at me in that dreadful place." (Act 4, Scene 3)
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Fear of insanity: Juliet is also concerned that she might lose her sanity from the terror of being in the tomb or from the trauma of being in such a dark place. She fears that the sight and smell of the decaying bodies might make her go mad. She reflects:
"…and I will fright / The very rats out of their holes, / …I’ll make it a fearful place." (Act 4, Scene 3)
These fears illustrate the extreme desperation and emotional turmoil Juliet faces in her attempt to escape her impending marriage to Paris and reunite with Romeo. They heighten the tension and tragedy of the moment, emphasizing her bravery and the stakes of her decision.