Romeo and Juliet - Act 1V

S C E N E  1

Enter Friar Lawrence and Paris

Friar Lawrence. On Thursday, sir? That's so soon.

Paris. My father-in-law to be, Capulet, wants it that way. I'm not going to tell him no.

Friar Lawrence. You say you don't even know if the lady wants you or not. That's a bit iffy, isn't it? I don't like it one bit.

Paris. She's over-the-top with her grieving for Tybalt, so she's not really interested in love at the moment. People don't really fall in love when they're mourning, do they? Her father is not pleased about the way she's grieving so desperately. He thinks that getting her to marry soon will help her get over all the sadness and crying. Having someone by her side will help her tremendously. There! You know the real reason for the rushed marriage now.

Friar L. (Aside) I wish I didn't know the real reason why this marriage has to be stopped. (To Paris) Look, sir, here's the lady herself to see me.

Enter Juliet

Paris. So glad to see you, my lady and my wife.

Juliet. That may be the case, sir, but only after I'm married.

Paris. Well, there's no 'may be' about it. We're getting married on Thursday.

Juliet. What will be will be.

Friar L. Isn't that the truth.

Paris. Have you come to make a confession to Father?

Juliet. To answer that question would be like making a confession to you.

Paris. Don't tell him you don't love me.

Juliet. I will confess to you that I love him.

Paris. I hope you can say the same about me.

Juliet. If I do, it will be worth more if I say it behind your back than to your face.

Paris. Poor soul. Your face has suffered many tears.

Juliet. My face looked bad even before I started crying.

Paris. You're being unfair to your face by saying that.

Juliet. No. That's the truth.

Paris. Your face is mine, and you've said unfair things about it.

Juliet. That may be true because my face is certainly not my own. Do you have time to see me now, Father, or should I come to see you after evening mass?

Friar L. I've got time for you, my sad daughter, right now. Paris, sorry, can we have some privacy?

Paris. God forbid I should disturb your meeting. Juliet, on Thursday I'll wake you early (kisses her). Until then, goodbye and keep this holy kiss.

                                                                                                                                               Exit Paris

Juliet. Oh, shut the door. And when you've done that, come and cry with me. I'm past hope, past cure, past help.

Friar L. Oh, Juliet! I already know why you're so sad. I'm at my wits end. I hear you must marry this Count on Thursday.

Juliet. Don't remind me about that again unless you can help me solve the mess I'm in. If you're so wise and you can't help me solve this problem, at least tell me my decision to end it with this knife is a good one. (She shows him a knife). God joined my heart to Romeo's. You joined our hands. Before you use your hands which have joined Romeo and me, to join me to someone else, I will kill myself.
You have years of experience, give me some advice now about what to do, or this knife will make the decision for me. Don't hold out for too long because I'm impatient to die if you can't help me fix this.

Friar L. Hang on, daughter. I see some hope. Desperate times call for desperate measures and this plan is just that! If you would rather die than marry Count Paris, then perhaps you would be willing to try something close to death to get out of this shameful situation. If you're willing, then I have a plan.

Juliet. Anything. I'd rather jump off the highest tower than marry him. You can tell me to sit in a field of poisonous snakes or chain me up with ravishing bears, or shut me up every night in a haunted house full of dead, smelly bodies, or tell me to climb down a freshly-dug grave, or wrap me up with a dead man's shroud. I've been scared just hearing people talk about these things but I will do them at the drop of a hat if it means I can be a wife to my dear Romeo.

Friar L. Okay. Go home and be happy. Give your consent to marry Paris. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Tomorrow night, make sure that you're alone and don't let the Nurse stay with you in your room. (Shows her a vial). When you're ready to go to bed, take this vial, mix the contents with liquor and drink it. It will make you fall into a death-like sleep. Your pulse will stop. Your skin will be cold to the touch and you'll stop breathing. You will turn pale and your breathing will stop. It will look like you're dead and you won't be able to move at all. You'll remain in this state for forty-two hours, after which you will wake up  and feel as though you've had a long, pleasant sleep.

Now, when the bridegroom comes to wake you in the morning on Thursday, he'll think you're dead. As is the custom, you will be dressed in your best clothes, put in a coffin and be carried to the Capulet's family tomb. In the meantime, I'll let Romeo know about the plan. He'll come, wait for you to wake up, then take you away with him to Mantua. This fool-proof plan will release you from this shameful situation unless you chicken out like a little, scaredy woman.

Juliet. Give me the vial! Give it to me! Don't talk to me about fear.

Friar L. (Gives her the vial). Now, run along. Be strong and prosperous in this plan. I'll send a friar to Mantua right away with the letter to Romeo.

Juliet. Love will give me strength to do this. Goodbye, dear Father.

                                                                                                                           They exit separately
End of scene 1

S C E N E  I I

Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet, Nurse and two or three servants

Capulet. (Gives paper to first servant) Invite all the people on this list.

                                                                                                                   Exit first servant

(To second servant) Go and hire twenty of the best cooks.

Second servant. Sir, bad cooks can't lick their own fingers, so only those that can lick their own fingers are going to be hired. 

Capulet. Go on, now. We haven't got any spare time to mess around. 

                                                                                                                    Exit second servant

This has come at a time when we're not even prepared for it. Has my daughter gone to see Friar Lawrence?

Nurse. Yes.

Capulet. Good. It might do her some good, the spoilt brat.

Juliet enters

Nurse. There she is! She's back from confession looking happy and pleased with herself.

Capulet. Hello, my stubborn child. Where were you?

Juliet. Where I learned to repent the sin of being rude and disobedient to you and your rules. I was instructed by Friar Lawrence to fall at your feet and beg your forgiveness (falls on her knees). Please forgive me, I beg you. From now on I'll do as I'm told. 

Capulet. Send for the Count and tell him about this. I'll have this wedding done in the morning.

Juliet. I met him at the Friar's cell. I treated him with respect and love within all the right boundaries of being modest. 

Capulet. Oh, well, I'm glad to hear this. This is good. Stand up. 

Juliet stands up

This is the way it should be. I'll see the Count. Yes, fine. Go and get him. God knows, our entire city owes him a lot. 

Juliet. Nurse, will you come with me to my room to help me sort out all this stuff I need for the wedding tomorrow?

Lady Capulet. It's not until Thursday. We've got plenty of time.

Capulet. Go, Nurse. Go with her. We'll have the wedding at the church tomorrow.

                                                                                                                    Exit Juliet and Nurse

Lady Capulet. We'll be short of supplies for the wedding party. It's already nearly nightfall. 

Capulet. Don't worry about that. Everything will be fine. I'll see to it, wife. I promise. Go with Juliet and help dress her up. I'm not going to sleep tonight. I'll take the role of the housewife this once. 

                                                                                                                       Lady Capulet exits

What's going on? They're all gone? Well, I'll walk to the Count's place myself and tell him about tomorrow. My heart is so wonderfully light now that this wayward girl has learned her lesson and is to be married. 

                                                                                                                           Capulet exits


End of Scene 2

S C E N E  I I I 

Enter Juliet and Nurse

Juliet. Yes, those clothes are the best. But dear Nurse, can you please leave me alone tonight. I have to say a lot of prayers to ask for blessings and guidance on my troubled and wayward life.

Enter Lady Capulet

Lady Capulet. What's up? Are you busy? Do you need my help?

Juliet. No, madam. We've already decided on the best outfit for me to wear at the wedding. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to be left alone, please. Let the Nurse help you tonight because I'm sure you have your hands full to cater for this sudden preparation.

Lady Capulet. Good night. Get to bed and have your rest. I know you need it.

                                                                                                              Exit Lady Capulet and Nurse

Juliet. Good bye. God only knows when we will meet again. There is a cold fear flowing through my veins. It almost freezes up any warmth left in my body. Shall I call Nurse back to comfort me? What would she do to help though? In my desperate state I need to act alone. Come vial (holds out the vial) What if it doesn't work at all. If it doesn't, I'll be married in the morning. No, this will not be. This knife will take care of that (lays her life down). 

What if the friar actually mixed poison to kill me. After all, he might be worried that if he does this marriage he'll be disgraced because he's already married me to Romeo. I'm scared that it's poison. But it should be safe. He's a holy man, trusted by many. What if I wake up in the tomb before Romeo comes to get me? It'll be terrible and scary because there is no air to breathe in there. Will I be dead by the time Romeo comes to save me? 

If I live, I'll be in there surrounded by death and darkness and the terror of being in the grave with all those horrible, scary dead people. There will be bones of my ancestors, many hundred years old. Even Tybalt's body is in there, freshly buried. His corpse is still rotting. They say that at certain times in the night the spirits of the dead wake up. Oh Gosh, no! I'll wake up and smell the awful stench and hear the shrieks of the ghosts. Their screams have driven the living mad. 

Oh, if I wake up too early, won't I go insane being in the midst of all these horrible things? I might start playing with my ancestors' bones or pull Tybalt's body of of his death shroud. I might bash out my own brains with one of my ancestors' bones in my madness. I think I see my cousin's ghost. He's looking for Romeo because he died by his sword. Wait, Tybalt, wait! Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here's a drink. I drink to you. 

She drinks from the vial and falls down on the bed, hidden by the bed curtains.

End of scene 3.

S C E N E   I V

Enter Lady Capulet and Nurse

Lady Capulet. Hang on. Take these keys and get some more spices, Nurse.

Nurse. They're asking for dates and quinces in the pastry.

Enter Capulet

Capulet. Come on! Wake up! The second cockerel has crowed. The curfew bell has been rung. It's 3 o'clock. Get the baked meats, Angelica. Don't worry about the cost.

Nurse. Why don't you go to bed. You'll be sick tomorrow. You've been up all night.

Capulet. What are you on about? I've stayed up lots of times before, and for less important things. I've never been sick before.

Lady Capulet. Ah, yes. You've been a lady's man in your time. But I keep my eye on what you're getting up to these days.

                                                                                        Exit Lady Capulet and Nurse

Capulet. She's such a jealous woman!

Enter 3 or 4 servants with spits, logs and baskets

Now, guys. What have you got there?

First servant. Stuff for the cook, sir. But I don't know what they are.

Capulet. Go on, then. Hurry up.

                                                                                              Exit first servant

(To second servant) Bring drier logs. Call Peter. He'll show you where the dry ones are.

Second servant. I'm clever enough to go and look for them. I don't have to bother Peter about this.

                                                                                            Exit second servant

Capulet. Okay, then. That guy is pretty funny. He's got logs for brains though. My goodness! It's daylight already. The Count will be here with a band. He said he would. I think I hear him coming now.

Music plays offstage

Nurse! Wife! Hello! Nurse!

Enter Nurse

Go wake up Juliet and get her dressed. I'll go chat with Paris and keep him occupied. Hurry up because the bridegroom is already here. Hurry up, I say!

                                                                                                                                   They exit

End of Scene 4

S C E N E  V

Nurse. Mistress! Hey, Mistress! I bet she's fast asleep. Hey, lamb, you lazy bones. Why, love, madam, sweetheart, bride. Why won't you answer me? I bet you're taking your beauty sleep now. After all, from tonight Count Paris won't let you rest. God forgive me. Alleluia and amen. How sound asleep she is! I have to wake her up. Madam! Madam! I bet the Count could wake you up. (Opens the bed curtains) What? Are you still dressed in your clothes and sleeping again? I need to wake you. Lady! Lady! Lady! Oh no! My lady's dead. Oh, curse the day I was born. Get me a strong drink. My lord! My lady!

Enter Lady Capulet

Lady Capulet. What's all this racket about?

Nurse. Oh, sad day.

Lady Capulet. What's the matter?

Nurse. Look, look! What a sad day.

Lady Capulet. Oh my! Oh my! My child, my only reason for living. Wake up, open your eyes, or I'll die! Help! Help! Call for help!

Enter Capulet

Capulet. Come on and bring Juliet here. Her bridegroom has arrived.

Nurse. She's dead, deceased, she's dead. Curse the day!

Lady Capulet. Curse the day! She's dead, she's dead, she's dead!

Capulet. What? Let me see her. Oh no, she's cold. Her blood has stopped flowing and her joints are stiff. There's no life in her lips. She looks like a pretty, little flower, killed by too much frost.

Nurse. Oh, sad day!

Lady Capulet. So sad.

Capulet. Death has taken her away to make me cry, but now it's tied up my tongue as well and I can't speak.

Enter Friar Lawrence, Count Paris and musicians

Friar Lawrence. Is the bride ready to go to church?

Capulet. Ready to go, but never to return. (To Paris) Oh son, death has taken your wife on the night before the wedding day. There she lies. She was a flower, but death deflowered her. Death is my son-in-law. Death is my heir. Death married my daughter. I'll die and leave Death everything - life, wealth - everything belongs to him.

Paris. Have I waited so long for today just to see this?

Lady Capulet. Cursed, unhappy, wretched, hateful day. This is the most miserable day of all time. I had but one child - one poor, loving child. She was the only thing I rejoiced and had solace in. Now cruel death has stolen her from me.

Nurse. O woe! Oh woeful day! The saddest and most painful day that I've ever, ever seen. Oh day, oh day, oh day. Oh hateful day! There was never a day as black as this one.

Paris. She was tricked, divorced, wronged, spited and killed. Most detestable Death tricked her. Oh love! Oh life! My love is dead.

Capulet. Despised, distressed, hated, martyred, killed. Why does this have to happen at a time like this. Why did death have to ruin our wedding. Oh child, Oh child! You're my soul, but now you're dead. My child is dead and with her, all my joys will be buried.

Friar Lawrence. Be quiet. Stop yelling and screaming and reflect for a while. Heaven gave her to you, and now it's taken her back. She's in a good place now. You couldn't stop her from dying some day. Now heaven gives her eternal life. The highest you could hope was for her to marry a wealthy man. Your idea of heaven was that she became rich and moved up the ladder. And now you're crying because she has moved up into heaven itself? What kind of love is this that you go mad when your child is so well. A good marriage is not necessarily one where the woman has been married for a long time. A good marriage can be one where she was happy in it even though she died young. Dry up your tears and put your rosemary on this beautiful corpse. As the custom is, dress her in her best clothes and take her body to the church. It's natural to feel sad, but really, we should be feeling happy.

Capulet. All the things that we organised for the wedding will now be used for her funeral. Our happy music will now be sad. Our rejoicing hymns will be sad music. Our bridal flowers will be used to bury the corpse and everything else will now have the opposite purpose

Friar Lawrence. Sir, you go in. And madam, go with him. You too, Sir Paris. Prepare to follow this lovely corpse to her grave, everyone. The heavens must be punishing you for some sin in your past. Don't make her more angry by trying to go against her will. 

                                              Exit Capulet, Lady Capulet, Paris and Friar Lawrence

First musician. Let's just put away our pipes and go home now.

Nurse. That's right, guys. Just pack them away and go. As you know, this is a very sad situation.

First musician. I know. Things will get better.

Enter Peter

Peter. Musicians, Oh, musicians, 'Heart's Ease', 'Heart's Ease'. Please play that for me, or I'll die.

First musician. Why, 'Heart's Ease'?

Peter. Because my heart's singing, 'My Heart is Full Of Woe.' Play me some happy sad song to comfort me, please.

First musician. We're not playing sad songs. This is no time to play at all. 

Peter. You won't then?

First musician. No.

Peter. Then I'll give it to you soundly.

First musician. What will you give us?

Peter. Not a penny, for sure. But I'll tell everyone you're crooks.

First musician. At least we're not servants.

Peter. I'll hit you across the head with a servant's knife. I warn you. I'm not kidding. You hear me?

First musician. If you make us sing, you'll hear us.

Second musician. Please put your knife away and stop messing around.

Peter. Messing around? I'll mess around as much as I want and I'll put down my knife when I'm good and ready. (Sings) 

When griping grief the heart doth wound

And doleful dumps the mind oppress,

Then music with her silver sound-

(Speaks) Why does it say 'silver sound'? What does 'music with her silver sound' mean? What do you say, Simon Catling? 

First musician. Well, sir, because silver has a sweet sound.

Peter. That's rubbish! What do you say, Hugh Rebeck?

Second musician. I say, 'silver sound' because musicians play to earn silver.

Peter. That's a rubbish answer too! What do you say, James Soundpost?

Third musician. Well, I don't know what to say.

Peter. Oh, excuse me, but you're the singer. Let me tell you the answer. It says, 'music with her silver sound because musicians have no gold to make musical instruments with. 

(Sings) Then music with her silver sound

With speedy help doth lend redress.

                                                                                                                   Exit Peter

First musician. What an annoying man he is!

Second musician. Forget him. Come, we'll wait in here for the mourners and stay for dinner.

End of act 4

Act 1
Act 11
Act 111
Act V

Romeo and Juliet - Act 111

S C E N E 1

Benvolio. I'm begging you, Mercutio. Please let's stop right here and now. It's boiling hot outside and the Cauplets are roaming about. If we meet them there's no way we'll escape a fight. You know how hot-blooded people get when it's hot.


Mercutio. You know, you're like one of those guys who walks into a bar, puts his sword on the counter and says, 'I hope I don't have to use you.' And by the time he's had his second drink, he draws the sword on the barman for no reason at all.


Benvolio. Am I really like that?


Mercutio. Oh, Come on! You're as hot-headed as the next guy. Someone only has to do the smallest thing for you to fly off the handle. And when you want to fly off the handle, you'll find any reason to do it.


Benvolio. So what.


Mercutio. If there were two men like you, we'd have only one because pretty soon, one would kill the other. You would fight with a man over the fact that he had one more or one less hairs on his beard than you do. You would fight with a man for cracking nuts, simply because you have hazel eyes. Only you would find that a reason to start a fight. Your head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of yolk. I suppose that fits right up your street since your head has been beaten just like scrambled eggs because of all your fights. You have fought with a man just for coughing in the street because he woke up your dog which was lying in the sun. Didn't you fall out with your tailor for wearing his new suit before Easter? And with another for tying his new shoes with old shoe laces? And now you've got the guts to teach me about controlling myself?


Benvolio. If I was in the habit of fighting the way you are, my life insurance policy would only be good for an hour and a quarter.


Mercutio. That's stupid talk.


Enter Tybalt, Petruchio and some other Capulets


Benvolio. Now, look! Here comes the Capulets.


Mercutio. I couldn't care less.


Tybalt. (To his friends) Follow me closely. I'm going to talk to them. (To the Montagues) Good evening, gentlemen. Can I have a word with one of you?


Mercutio. You just want one word? Why not couple it with something else. Make it a word and a blow, perhaps?


Tybalt. I'm ready for that, if you give me a reason.


Mercutio. Coudn't you find a reason without me giving you one?


Tybalt. Mercutio, you hang out with Romeo.


Mercutio. Hang out? Do you think we're musicians? If we were musicians, you would hear nothing but noise. Here's my fiddle (his sword) I'll use this to make you dance, man!


Benvolio. We're out here in public where everyone can see us. Let's go somewhere private and talk about this sensibly or go away.


Enter Romeo


Tybalt. Well, peace be with you. Here comes the man I'm looking for.


Mercutio. He's not your man.


Tybalt. Romeo. There's only one name for you, a villain.


Romeo. Tybalt, I have a reason to like you. This is why I'm putting aside the rage I feel right now because of your name-calling. I'm not a villain. I see you don't know me, so goodbye.


Tybalt. This won't make all the stuff you've done to me any better. Turn around and draw your sword.


Romeo. I disagree. I've never hurt you. I like you better than you can understand, until you know the reason why. So, good Capulet, the name I love like my own, just believe me and let's leave it at that.


Mercutio. You can't submit to him like that. It's dishonourable! (Draws his sword) Tybalt, you rat catcher, you can fight with me.


Tybalt. What do you want from me?


Mercutio. Good king of cats, I'll have one of your nine lives upfront. Depending on how things go after that, I'll beat the other eight out of you. Take your sword out of its sheath or I'll beat you about the ears with mine before you have it drawn.


Tybalt. Okay. I'll fight you, if that's what you want. (Draws his sword).


Romeo. Gentle, Mercutio. put your sword away.


Mercutio. (To Tybalt) Come on! Your draw.


Mercutio and Tybalt fight


Romeo. (Draws his sword) Draw your sword, Benvolio. Let's beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, you should be ashamed. Stop this fight! Tybalt, Mercutio! The Prince has banned fighting in the streets of Verona. Stop you two!


Romeo tries to break up the fight. Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm


Petruchio. Let's get out of here, Tybalt.


                                               Exit Tybalt, Petruchio and other Capulets


Mercutio. He's hurt me. I curse you both and your families. Did he get away without a scratch?


Benvolio. What. Are you hurt?


Mercutio. It's only a scratch. Just a scratch, but it hurts like hell. Where's my page? Go, boy. Get me a doctor.


Exit Mercutio's page


Romeo. Be brave, man. It can't be that bad.


Mercutio. No? It's not as deep as a well or wide as a church door, but it's bad enough to do damage. Ask for me tomorrow and you'll find that I'm a dead man. I'm done for, man. I curse both their families. I swear, I can't believe that dog, that rat, mouse, cat has tried to stab me to death. He's a villain and fights like he's learned from a sword-fencing manual.  Why on earth did you come between us? He stabbed me from under your arm.


Romeo. I thought I was doing the right thing.


Mercutio. Take me inside a house, Benvolio, or I'll faint. Curse your houses and your families. They've turned me into food for worms.


                                                                      Exit Mercutio and Benvolio


Romeo. This gentleman, a close friend of the Prince and my best friend was mortally wounded because of me. He was only trying to defend my reputation from Tybalt's slander. Tybalt, we've been related for only an hour. Oh, sweet Juliet. Your beauty has made me soft. You've made taken apart my bravery.


Enter Benvolio


Benvolio. Oh, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead. That brave spirit has gone to heaven. But it was way too early for him to leave this earth.


Romeo. What has happened here today will negatively affect the future. Today starts the sadness and worries that will end in days to come.


Enter Tybalt


Benvolio. Here comes the furious Tybalt again.


Romeo. He's alive and truimphant and Mercutio is dead. I've had enough of peace and leniency. It's time to give vent to my anger. Now, Tybalt. Call me a 'villain' again. Mercutio's soul is only a little way above our heads. He's waiting for either you or me to accompany him to heaven.


Tybalt. You hung out with him here, and you're the one that's going to hang out with him there.


Romeo. This fight will determine that.


They fight and Tybalt falls and dies


Benvolio. Romeo, let's get out of here. People are around and Tybalt is dead. Don't stand here in a daze. The Prince will put you to death if you get caught. Get out of here, now.


Romeo. I have such bad luck.


Benvolio. Why are you still here?


                                                                                 Romeo exits


Enter citizens of the watch


Citizens. Which way did he run? The guy who fought with Tybalt. Which way?


Benvolio. Tybalt is lying over there.


Citizens. (To Tybalt) get up sir. Come with us. By the authority of the Prince, you must obey us.


Enter Prince, Montague, Caupulet, Lady Montague and others


Prince. Where are the vile men who started this fight?


Benvolio. Oh, noble Prince. I can tell you everything you need to know about this awful situation. That's Tyalt lying there. He was killed by Romeo because he killed your relative, brave Mercutio.


Lady Capulet. Tybalt, my cousin! He's my brother's son. Oh Prince, Oh nephew, Husband! Oh, my nepew is dead. Prince, if you're fair you'll kill someone from the Montague family to revenge Tybalt's killing. Oh my nephew, my nephew!


Prince. Benvolio, who started this bloody fight?


Benvolio. Tybalt did. Romeo spoke to him fairly. He told him that the fight between him and Mercutio was silly and that you would be angry because of it. All this he said in a soft, gentle voice, kneeling down to show respect. But in spite of all this, Tybalt wouldn't make peace. Tybalt and Mercutio started fighting one another. Romeo shouted at them, 'stop friends. Break it up!' Then he jumped in between them thinking they would put their swords down, but Tybalt stabbed Mercutio under his arm and ran away. After a while he came back to Romeo, who, by this time was getting really angry at the whole thing. They started fighting as quick as lightening, and before I could draw my sword to stop them, Tybalt was killed. Romeo ran away after that. This is the truth. I swear on my life.


Lady Capulet. He's a relative of the Montagues. Of course he would lie for Romeo. He's not telling the truth. I'm sure twenty of them were involved in this, and between them they could only kill this one man. I beg you for justice, Prince. Romeo killed Tybalt so he should die.


Prince. Romeo killed him. He killed Mercutio. Who should now should pay the price for Mercutio's death?


Montague. Not Romeo, Prince. He was Mercutio's friend. His crime only did what the law would've done anyway, by taking Tybalt's life.


Prince. And for that offence, Romeo is exiled from Verona from now on. I'm involved in your rivalry because Mercutio was a relative of mine, and I'm hurt that he's dead because of your stupid feud. I'll punish you so severely, that you'll regret causing me this loss. I won't listen to any of your pleas or excuses. You can't get out of trouble by praying or bribery, so don't bother. Let Romeo leave this city at once. If he's found he'll be killed instantly. Take away this body and you'd better do what I say. Showing mercy by pardoning killers only causes more murders.


                                                                                           They exit

S C E N E  1 1

Juliet. I can't wait for the sun to set so that the darkness of night could be here. It couldn't come fast enough because that's when I'll have Romeo in my arms, unseen by anyone else. The beauty of love is that lovers can see to make love in the dark. This is because love is blind. It loves the dark, so come on darkness and night!

Oh night, you widow dressed in black, come and surround me so I can surrender myself to my husband. Let me get over my innocence and shyness and learn how to satisfy my husband completely. Come, night. Come, Romeo. You're like day in night because you will lie on the wings of night, whiter than new snow on a raven's back. 

Come, gentle night. Come loving, black-browed night. Give me my Romeo. And when I die, make him become stars of a beautiful constellation so that he may make the sky look so lovely, other people will fall in love with it too, and forget about the way they worshipped the sun. Oh, I've bought a mansion of love, but haven't moved in yet. In the same way, I now belong to Romeo but he's not had me yet. This day is so long and tedious, I feel like a child on the night before a party, waiting excitedly to wear my new clothes.

Enter Nurse with the rope ladder

Oh, here comes my nurse. She brings news! When she talks about Romeo, his name sounds beautiful even on her lips. Now nurse, what's the news? Is that the ladder for Romeo?

Nurse. Yeah, yeah. It's the rope ladder.

Juliet. Oh, no, what did you hear? Why are you so upset?

Nurse. It's horrible. He's dead, he's dead. It's awful. What a terrible day. He's gone, He's been killed. he's dead.

Juliet. Can heaven be so hateful?

Nurse. Romeo is hateful, not heaven. Oh Romeo, Romeo! Who would've thought it would be Romeo?

Juliet. What kind of devil are you to torment me like this? It's like I'm being tortured in hell. Has Romeo killed himself? If you say 'yes' that one word will be more deathly to me than a poisonous snake. I won't be myself if this is what happened. Tell me if he's been killed or not. 'Yes' or 'no' will determine my fate. 

Nurse. I saw the wound. I saw it with my eyes. God bless that wound, there on his manly chest. A pitiful corpse, a bloody, pitiful corpse. Pale, pale as ashes, all soaked in blood. I fainted when I saw it.

Juliet. O, my heart is broken. I will imprison my eyes and never look at freedom again. My body will go back to this vile earth and lie there doing nothing. My body will lie with Romeo's in one sad coffin. 

Nurse. Oh, Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I've ever had. He was so courteous and honest! I wish I didn't live long enough to see him dead.

Juliet. How awful this is! Romeo has been killed and Tybalt too? My dearest cousin and my dearest husband. Trumpets, play a song of doom. Who can stay alive if those two are gone?

Nurse. Tybalt is gone and Romeo is banished. Romeo killed Tybalt so he's been banished. 

Juliet. Oh, Lord! did Romeo shed Tybalt's blood?

Nurse. Yes, he did. What a tragic day, all round.

Juliet. He's like a snake with the face of a flower. Like a dragon hiding in a beautiful cage. Beautiful tyrant. Fiendish angel. A raven with dove's feathers, a wolf dressed as a lamb. He's the opposite to what he seemed. A despised element that looked divine - like a damned saint, or an honourable villian. Oh, nature, what were you doing in hell when you put the spirit of a wicked man into someone who looked so sweet. There was never such an evil book with such a beautiful cover. I can't believe that deceit existed in such a gorgeous place.

Nurse. There is no trust, not faith, no honesty in men. They all lie. They all cheat. They're all evil. Where's my servant? I need a drink. All this trouble and grief make me feel old. Shame be on you, Romeo!

Juliet. I wish you get sores on your tongue for making such a wish. He was not born for this shame. Shame itself is ashamed to be a part of Romeo. He deserves to be honoured. I was mistaken for being so angry with him before. 

Nurse. You can't speak well of him. He killed your cousin.

Juliet. Should I speak ill of my husband? Who's going to defend his name if his own wife for three hours is talking bad about him? I just want to know why he killed my cousin. I know my cousin, the villain. Maybe he would've killed my husband instead. I shouldn't cry now with sorrow  of Tybalt's death. I should actually cry with joy because Romeo is alive. Tybalt would've killed him. The person who would've killed my husband is dead. This is comforting news. 

There's no need to cry, is there? There is worse news than the death of Tybalt. News, that makes me want to die: 'Tybalt is dead. Romeo is banished.' That one word, 'banished' is worse than the death of ten thousand Tybalts. If Tybalt's death had been all that had happened, that would've been bad enough. But sorrow likes company. If she'd said, 'Tybalt is dead,' then followed it up with 'Your mother or father or both are also dead,' I would've grieved the normal way. But after saying 'Tybalt's dead,' to follow that up with, 'Romeo is banished' is like saying your mother, father, Tybalt, Romeo, and Juliet are all dead. 'Romeo is banished' that news has no limit, no measure, no bound. No other words can express such pain.

Where's my father and mother, nurse?

Nurse. They're crying over Tybalt's corpse. Are you going to them? I'll take you there.

Juliet. Are they washing his wounds with tears? I'll cry my tears for Romeo's banishment when their tears are dry. Pick up the rope ladder. It's no use now, just like me. Both me and the rope ladder are in exile like Romeo. This rope ladder was made as a highway to my bed, but I'll now die a virgin widow. Let's go, rope ladder. Nurse, I'll lie down in my wedding bed. Let death, not Romeo, take my virginity.

Nurse. Go to your bedroom. I'll find Romeo to comfort you. I know where he is. Mark my words, Romeo will be here tonight. I'll go to him. He's hiding at Friar Lawrence's cell.

Juliet. (Gives the nurse a ring) Oh, find him and give him this ring, my true knight. Tell him to come and say his last goodbye to me. 

                                                                                               Exit

S C E N E  1 1 1

Enter Friar Lawrence

Friar Lawrence. Romeo, come out, come out. You poor soul, you're attracted to trouble and calamity.

Enter Romeo

Romeo. Father, what's the news? What did the Prince say my punishment is going to be? What trouble is in store for me that I don't yet know about?

Friar Lawrence. You've had too much trouble lately. I'm sorry, but I've now got the news about the Prince's punishment.

Romeo. Is it any less than total destruction?

Friar Lawrence. He was gentler than that. He doesn't want you dead, just banished.

Romeo. Ha, banishment! Be kind to me and say he wants me dead. Exile is much worse than death. Please don't say I'm banished.

Friar Lawrence. You're only banished from Verona. There are lots of other places in this big, wide world.

Romeo. There is no world for me outside the walls of Verona. Only torture and hell is out there. So being banished from Verona is like being banished from the entire world. Being exiled from the world is death. Banishment is just another form of being put to death. It's like cutting my head off with an axe made of gold and smiling while I'm being killed.

Friar Lawrence. You rude and ungrateful boy. You should be put to death for what you did. The Prince was very kind to you, and actually took your side by offering to banish you instead. He showed you mercy. How can you not see that?

Romeo. It's torture, not mercy. Heaven is here because it's where Juliet lives. Every cat and dog and even little mice and other lowly animals can see her, but I won't be able to. Even the flies will have a better love life and honour than me. At least they can land on her hand and steal immortal blessings from her lips by kissing her. She's so pure that she blushes when her own lips touch one another in kiss. But Romeo cannot. He's banished. Flies can touch her hand, but I have to leave. Flies are free but I am banished. And still you say being exiled is not death? Haven't you got any poison, or sharp knife you could use to kill me quickly? Nothing is as disgraceful as being banished. The damned use the word 'banished' when they're in hell. It's a disgusting word. Yet, you, a holy man who absolves sins and professes to be my friend don't mind putting me together with that word, banishment?

Friar Lawrence. Are you crazy? Listen to me.

Romeo. Why, so that you can tell me again about banishment?

Friar Lawrence.  I'll give you something to protect you against that word. When you're in trouble philosophy is always comforting. Philosophy will comfort you even though you're banished.

Romeo. You're still on about 'banished'! Forget philosophy. Unless philosophy can make a Juliet, move a town to another place, and reverse the Prince's verdict, it doesn't help me one bit. Stop talking now.

Friar Lawrence. Oh, so madmen like you have no ears.

Romeo. How could they, when wise men have no eyes?

Friar Lawrence. Let me talk to you about your situation.

Romeo. You can't talk about something you've never experienced. If you were as young as me and Juliet was in love with you and you'd been married just an hour in which time Tybalt was murdered. If you were love sick like me, and banished, then you could speak. Then you would tear your hair out and fall on the ground like I do now (Romeo falls to the ground) to measure your grave that hasn't been dug yet.

Knocking from off stage

Friar Lawerence. Get up. Someone's knocking. Hide yourself, good Romeo.

Romeo. I won't hide unless the mist from my sick heart comes out and covers me like fog.

Knocking

Friar Lawrence. Come on! They're still knocking. (To the person at the door) Who's there? (To Romeo) Get up, Romeo. They'll arrest you. (To the person at the door) Coming in a minute. (To Romeo) Stand up.

Knocking

Run and hide in my study... Just a minute...For the love of God! Why're you being so stupid.... Coming!

Knocking

Why're you knocking so hard? Where do you come from? what do you want?

Nurse. Let me come in and I'll tell you why. Lady Juliet sent me.

Friar Lawrence. (Opens the door) Welcome then.

Enter Nurse

Nurse. Oh, holy Friar, Oh tell me holy Friar, where's my lady's husband? Where's Romeo?

Friar Lawrence. There on the ground getting drunk by his own tears.

Nurse. Oh, he's acting just like my mistress. What a pitiful situation. She's blubbering and weeping too. (To Romeo) Stand up, stand up and be a man for Juliet's sake. Rise and stand.

Romeo. Nurse!

Nurse. Ah, sir. Death will come for everybody.

Romeo. Were you talking about Juliet? How is she? Does she think I'm just a cruel murderer because I've spoilt our joy so soon by killing her relative? Where is she? What does my secret wife say about our ruined love?

Nurse. Oh, she says nothing, sir. She only weeps and weeps. Then she falls on her bed. Then she sits up and calls out, Tybalt, then Romeo. Then she cries and falls down again.

Romeo. She's calling out my name like it was a bullet that killed her. It's as if it was was cursed and murdered her relative. Tell me Oh, Friar, in what part of my body is my name carved? Tell me so I can cut it out of me.

(He draws his dagger)

Friar Lawrence. Hang on. Don't act so desperate. You're a man, or at least you look like one. You cry like a woman, and your wild actions resemble a beast. You're a shameless woman who looks like a man or a misformed beast who's half-man. You've surprised me. I swear, I thought you were better than this. You've killed Tybalt. Will you now kill yourself and cause agony to the lady who is now a part of your life? Why do you complain so much about the heaven and earth? Birth and heaven and earth all three meet in you at the same time. Which one do you want to give up if they're all the same? You should be ashamed of yourself. You have so much talent, yet you want to abandon your love, your wit and your body because you don't put them to their proper use. It's like someone who hoards lots of money but never puts it to use by spending any.

Your body is just a wax figure without the good things and values that make up a man. The love you swore was a hollow lie. You're killing the love you vowed to cherish. Your mind is the very thing that should make your body and your love valuable, but it has mishandled both of them. You're behaving like an idiot soldier who sets off his own gunpowder because he has no sense to handle it properly. The very thing that's supposed to protect you is going to kill you.  Get up, man! Your Juliet is alive. It was because of her you were almost killed earlier. You should be happy. Tybalt would've killed you but you killed him instead. Be happy about this. The law that was supposed to put you to death has given you exile instead. Be happy about that. You have lots of blessings in your life. Instead of enjoying the happiness life gives to you, you're pouting about bad luck and love like a spoilt little girl. 

Listen, listen people who act like that die miserable. Go get your love as was decided at your wedding. Climb up to her bedroom and comfort her. But get out before the night watchman arrives for work. After that, escape to the city of Mantua where you'll live until we can find the right time to publicise your marriage, make peace with your friends and beg the Prince's pardon.  We will welcome you back with twenty thousand times more joy than you'll have when you leave. Go ahead, Nurse. Give my regards to your lady and tell her to hurry everyone in the house to bed. I'm sure they'll want to do so because of the sadness they feel right now. Romeo will follow.

Nurse. Oh, lord. I could've stayed here all night to hear your good advice. Education is so wonderful! 

Romeo, I'll tell Juliet you're coming.

Romeo. Do so, and tell her to be ready to tell me off.

Nurse. Here sir, this is a ring she wanted me to give you. (gives Romeo the ring). Hurry up, it's getting late.

                                                                                                                                              Exit nurse.

Romeo. This makes me feel so much better.

Friar Lawrence. Now, go. Good night. This is what you need to do. Either go before the night watchman comes or leave at the break of day in disguise. Stay in Mantua. I'll find your servant and he'll give you the news from time to time about everything that's happening here with your case. Let me shake your hand. It's late. Farewell. Goodnight.

Romeo. I'm off to enjoy the best joy there is. I'm sorry for leaving you so abruptly. Bye.

                                                                                                                                                                                     They exit.

S C E N E 1 V

Enter Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Paris

Capulet. Things have been really bad lately, sir. We haven't been able to convince our daughter to marry you. You see, she really loved her cousin Tybalt, and so did I. We're all born to die, I suppose. It's getting very late. She won't be coming down tonight. Believe me, if it wasn't for you being here, I would've gone to bed an hour ago.

Paris. These times of grief aren't good times for thinking about love and courting. Madam, good night. Give my regards to your daughter.

Lady Capulet. I will. And I'll find out what she thinks early in the morning. Tonight she's too tired with grief.

Capulet. Sir, Paris, I'll try my best to convince my daughter you're right for her. I think she'll do whatever I say, perhaps even more. I have no doubt about that. Wife, check on her before you go to bed. Talk to her about Paris's love for her, and tell her that I'll talk to her on Wednesday - wait, what day is it today?

Paris. Monday, my lord.

Capulet. Monday! Ha, ha. Well, Wednesday is too soon. It'll have to be Thursday. Tell her that on Thursday she'll be married to this noble Earl. Will you be ready? Do you think it's okay for us to rush this? We won't have a big celebration, just a few friends. You know, because Tybalt was just killed recently, people may think we didn't like him very much if we celebrate too much. So we'll just have about half a dozen friends and that's it. Is Thursday any good for you?

Paris. My lord, I wish Thursday was tomorrow.

Capulet. Well, go on home now. Thursday it is then. (To Lady Capulet) Look in on Juliet when you go up to bed. Get her ready for her wedding day. (To Paris) Farewell, my lord. Now I'm off to bed. Dear me! It's so late that we may as well call it early. Good night.

                                                                                               All exit

S C E N E V

Enter Romeo and Juliet above the stage

Juliet. Are you going now? It's not even daybreak yet. Don't worry, the bird you heard was not the morning lark, it was the evening nightingale. Every night that nightingale sings on the pomegranate tree over there. Trust me, it was the nightingale.

Romeo. It was the lark, the bird that sings in the morning, not the nightingale. Look, love what are those streaks of light in the clouds over there in the east. Night is finished and day is coming. If I want to live, I have to leave. If I stay I'll die.

Juliet. That light is not daylight. I'm sure of it. It's some meteor from the sun to light your way to Mantua. Please stay. You don't need to go yet.

Romeo. Let me be captured and put to death. I'm happy to do it if that's what you want. I'll say that the light over there is not the break of day. It's just the reflection of the moon. I'll say that the bird I heard is not the lark. I want to stay much more than I want to go. Come, death and welcome! Juliet wants it to be that way. So, let's talk my love. It's not daylight.

Juliet. It is. It is! Get out of here. It's the lark that sings so out of tune, making such a racket. You know, some people say the lark signifies the sweet division between day and night. This is not so, because she's dividing us. Some say the lark has exchanged her eyes with the toad. Oh, how I wish they'd change voices too because it's that voice that pulls us out of each other's arms. Now men will be hunting you. Oh, go now. it's getting lighter and lighter.

Romeo. The lighter it gets, more sadness there is for us.

Enter Nurse

Nurse. Madam

Juliet. Nurse?

Nurse. Your lady mother is coming to your room. Day has broken. Be careful and watch out.

                                                                                        Exit Nurse

Juliet. The window lets day in and my life out.

Romeo. Farewell, farewell. One more kiss and I'll go down.

They kiss. Romeo goes down the ladder.

Juliet. Are you gone like that my love, my lord? My husband and friend, I must hear from you every day.

Romeo. Farewell! I won't miss any opportunity to send my love to you.

Juliet. Oh, do you think we'll ever see each other again?

Romeo. I don't doubt that we will. All these troubles will give us stories to talk about later.

Juliet. Oh God, I have a soul which thinks of evil things. You look like someone dead in the bottom of a tomb. Either my eyesight is failing me or you look very pale.

Romeo. Trust me love, you look like that to me too. Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Bye, bye.

                                                                                          Exit Romeo

Juliet. Oh, luck, luck. Everyone says you're fickle. If you're fickle, what are you going to do with Romeo who's so loyal. Change your mind, luck. Send him back to me soon.

Lady Capulet. (Offstage) Daughter, Are you awake?

Juliet. Who's that? Is that my mother? Is she still up so late, or did she wake up early? What strange reason could she have for coming here?

Enter Lady Capulet

Lady Capulet. What's up, Juliet?

Juliet. Madam, I'm not well.

Lady Capulet. Still crying for your cousin Tybalt? What, do you want to wash him from his grave with your tears? Even if you did that, you couldn't bring him back to life. So, stop crying how. Grieving shows that you loved him, but too much grief makes you look a bit silly.

Juliet. Let me cry for my loss.

Lady Capulet. You'll feel the loss, but the person you lost won't feel anything.

Juliet. With the loss I feel right now, I can't help but cry for him forever.

Lady Capulet. Well, girl, I'm sure you're crying not so much for the fact that he's dead, but because the villain who killed him is still alive.

Juliet. What villain, madam?

Lady Capulet. That villain, Romeo.

Juliet. (Aside) He's a long way from being a villain. (To Lady Capulet) God pardon him. I do, with all my heart. And yet, no man can make my heart grieve like he does.

Lady Capulet. That's because that murderer is still alive.

Juliet. Yes, madam. I can't reach him with my hands, and I wish that no one but me could avenge my cousin's death.

Lady Capulet. We'll have revenge for it, don't you worry. Stop crying. I'll send someone to Mantua where Romeo lives. This person will poison him so soon he'll be joining Tybalt. I hope this will satisfy you.

Juliet. I will never be satisfied with Romeo until I see him - dead. Dead is how my heart feels for my cousin. Madam, if you could find a man to give him the poison, I'll mix it so that Romeo will sleep quietly soon after he's taken it. Oh, how my heart hates to hear that name when I can't go after him. I want to use the love I had for my cousin, to take my anger out on the body of the man who killed him.

Lady Capulet. Find out the way and I'll find the right man. But now I have good news for you, girl.

Juliet. And joy comes at such a right time. What's the news? Please tell me.

Lady Capulet. Well, you have a very good father, child. He's arranged for you to be taken out of your sadness. He's sorted something out for you that you didn't even expect or even ask for.

Juliet. Madam, tell me quickly. What is it?

Lady Capulet. Okay, my child. Early next Thursday morning, the brave, young, noble gentleman, Count Paris, at Saint Peter's Church, will make you a joyful bride.

Juliet. Now, I swear by Saint Peter's Church and by Saint Peter too. He will not make me a joyful bride. I wonder why he's in such a hurry that I must marry him before he's had a chance to court me. Please tell my lord and father, madam, I will not marry yet. And if I did, I swear I'd rather marry Romeo, whom you know I hate, than Paris. Now, that's really news!

Lady Capulet. Here comes your father. Tell him so yourself and see how he takes this news.

Enter Capulet and Nurse

Capulet. When the sun sets the air drizzles dew. But for the end of my nephew, there's a downpour. What's up, girl? Are you a fountain? Why're you still crying? In one little body you seem to be a ship, the sea and the wind. Your eyes flow with water like the sea. Your body is like a ship which is sailing in a flood of salt tears. The wind is your sighs. If you don't stop crying, tears and sighs will sink your ship. So wife, how're things? Have you told her about the plans yet?

Lady Capulet. Yes, sir, but she's having none of it. She says thanks, but no thanks. I wish the fool were dead and married to her grave.

Capulet. Calm down. Let me understand this, wife. How come she refuses? Isn't she thankful? Isn't she proud of this? Doesn't she count her blessings? Doesn't she realise she's unworthy of this man who wants to marry her?

Juliet. I'm not proud of what you've done, but I'm thankful. I cannot be proud of something I hate, but I can be thankful for it because it was meant in love.

Capulet. How is this so? This doesn't make sense. What is this? You're saying, 'proud' and 'I thank you' and 'I no thank you' and 'not proud.' You rotten little girl. I have no time for no thank yous or pride or no pride. Get yourself ready for Thursday to go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church, or I will drag you there myself. Out, you awful girl. You pale face!

Lady Capulet. Shame on you! Are you mad?

Juliet. Good father, I'm begging you on my knees. Please just let me say one thing.

Capulet. Forget it, you disobedient girl! I tell you what to do. Get to church on Thursday, or never look at me in the face again. Don't say a word. Don't answer me back. My fingers itch to slap you. Wife, we thought ourselves blessed that God lent us this one child, but now I see this one is too much and she's actually a curse. She repulses me.

Nurse. God in heaven, bless her. My lord, you're wrong to say those things to her.

Capulet. And why, my Lady Wisdom? You shut up and go about with your little gossiping friends.

Nurse. I said nothing wrong.

Capulet. Oh, for God's sake.

Nurse. Can't anyone speak?

Capulet. Be quiet, you mumbling fool. Say your serious thoughts with your own gossiping friends. We don't need to hear them here.

Lady Capulet. You're too worked up.

Capulet. I'm mad! Day, night, hour after hour, when I've been at work or at play, alone or in company, my plan has been to find her a husband. Now I've found someone of noble parentage, good looking, youthful, and well educated. He's got everything one would want in a man. And then to have this wretched fool, like a whining puppet, look at this good fortune and say, I won't get married. I cannot love, I'm too young, Please excuse me. Well, if you won't get married, I'll excuse you. Eat and stay where you like, but you will not live in this house with me. Think about it, I'm not joking here. Thursday is near. I swear, act like my daughter and I'll marry you to my friend. If not, you can beg, starve or die in the streets and I'll never acknowledge you. I'll never do anything for you or give you anything. Trust me, I won't go back on my word.

                                                                                         Exit Capulet

Juliet. Is there no pity in the world that can see my grief? Oh, my sweet mother, don't cast me away. Delay this marriage for a month or a week. If you don't, make my bridal bed in the coffin where Tybalt is.

Lady Capulet. Don't talk to me because I won't say anything. Do as you please. I'm done with you.

                                                                                 Exit Lady Capulet

Juliet. Oh, God, Oh, Nurse, how can this be stopped? My husband is alive and well on earth. My marriage vows were made in heaven. How can I break those vows on earth unless my husband dies and goes to heaven and breaks it from there. Tell me, please give me comfort. How can heaven play such terrible tricks on someone as weak as me? Say something. Haven't you got anything good to say to me, Nurse?

Nurse. Romeo has been banished so he can't dare to come back here to make you keep your vows. Even if he does come back, he has to do so undercover. Since things are the way they are, I think you should marry the count. He's a lovely gentleman. Romeo is a dishcloth when compared to him. The count's eyes are greener and quicker and better than an eagle's. I hate to say it, but I think you would be happier in this second marriage because it's much better than your first. Even if it isn't better, your first one is just as good as dead. Even if Romeo is as good as Paris, at least he doesn't live here now, so he's of no use to you.

Juliet. Are you serious?

Nurse. Of course I am.

Juliet. Amen!

Nurse. What?

Juliet. Well, you've given me great comfort. Go in and tell my mother I've gone to Friar Lawrence's cell to make a confession and be absolved from my sins for displeasing my father.

Nurse. Okay. I will. It's a good idea to do that.

                                                                                           Exit Nurse

Juliet. That damned old lady. What a wicked witch she is. I don't know which is worse; her wanting me to break my vows, or saying bad things about my husband after she praised him so many thousands of times before. Away with her. From now on, I'm not telling her anything I think in my heart. I'm going to the friar to know what to do about this. If all else fails, at least I have the power to take my own life.

                                                                                          Exit Juliet.

End of act 3


Act 1
Act 11
Act 1V
Act V