Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet Act 3, Scene 4 Summary

  • Paris is still hanging around hoping he can marry Juliet. Unfortunately, he hasn't had much of a chance to impress her – she's been too busy mourning for her cousin (and for her husband). "These times of woe afford no time to woo," Paris says.
  • Juliet's grief for Tybalt seemed so extreme to her father that he's changed his mind about waiting a few years before she is married. What better way to alleviate her grief than to force her into a marriage with a man she's just not that into?
  • Feeling that there's no way Juliet could not be in love with a great guy like Paris, Lord Capulet decides to go forward full speed ahead. He asks Paris if he would be willing to marry Juliet later that week. Paris agrees.
  • Neither of them knows, of course, that Juliet is already married. The stage is set for a disastrous confrontation.

Act 3, Scene 5
Act 3, Scene 3