ACT III

Scene i
This is the play’s pivotal scene. The audience (and Romeo, of course!) will be on an emotional high after the wedding, but it all comes crashing down in this scene. It is only one hour after the marriage. Benvolio and Mercutio talk in Verona’s streets. Benvolio is trying to persuade Mercutio to go indoors as it is very hot and he fears a brawl if they come across the Capulets. Typically, Mercutio rejects this idea and teases Benvolio. Tybalt enters; he and Mercutio have a heated discussion. Romeo enters. Tybalt hands out insults to Romeo, who does not take the bait. Instead, Mercutio fights Tybalt, and is killed; Tybalt strikes the fatal blow as Romeo moves between them. Grief-stricken, feeling guilty and seeking revenge, Romeo kills Tybalt. He runs away, and the Prince, in Romeo’s absence, banishes him from Verona.

Scene ii
Juliet has no idea what has gone on and sits at home looking forward to her wedding night with Romeo. The Nurse enters, crying, shouting Romeo’s name and that someone has died. Juliet assumes it is Romeo but soon discovers it is Tybalt – and that Romeo killed him. At first she criticizes Romeo; then, she defends him to the Nurse. The Nurse agrees to find Romeo, telling him to come and bid farewell to Juliet.

Scene iii
We return to Friar Laurence’s cell, where Romeo is understandably distraught by events. Laurence tries to make him see sense, but Romeo won’t hear it. The Nurse enters and tells Romeo that Juliet is constantly crying. Romeo takes a knife and offers to stab himself to remove his name. Friar Laurence stops him, and becomes angry. Laurence tells Romeo to visit Juliet as previously arranged but warns him to make sure he leaves Verona before dawn and go to nearby Mantua.

Scene iv
It is late on Monday evening, and Paris has visited Capulet to repeat his request to marry Juliet. Capulet changes his mind, as he thinks it will cheer her up following the death of her cousin, and sets Thursday as the wedding day.

Scene v
It is now very early on Tuesday morning, in Juliet’s bedroom. Romeo and Juliet have spent the night together, and neither wants to part, although they realize Romeo must go or risk death if he is captured. Romeo leaves. Lady Capulet enters and tells Juliet that she will be married to Paris on Thursday. Juliet refuses. Lord Capulet becomes very angry and threatens her. Juliet turns to the Nurse, but her advice is to marry Paris. Juliet, realizing she has nowhere else to turn, plans to visit Friar Laurence for help.