In Act 4, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet changes the wedding date between Juliet and Paris to the next day. This is the second time he has changed the date, having initially suggested a two-year wait when Paris first proposed marriage to Juliet in Act 1, Scene 2. In Act 3, Lord Capulet decides that Juliet and Paris should marry later that week, but in Act 4, Scene 2, he moves the date forward by a day, from Thursday to Wednesday.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Act | 4 |
Scene | 2 |
Reason for change | Capulet is happy that Juliet has agreed to marry Paris and wants to get things rolling right away |
New date | The next day, Wednesday |
What You'll Learn
Lord Capulet initially thinks Juliet is too young to marry
In Act 1, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet initially thinks that Juliet is too young to marry. He tells Count Paris, who has asked to marry Juliet, to wait two years:
> My child is yet a stranger in the world.
> She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.
> Let two more summers wither in their pride
> Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
Lord Capulet's opinion changes by Act 3, when Tybalt has been killed and Romeo banished. He decides that forcing Juliet to marry Paris later that week will help her deal with her grief. Juliet is not happy about these plans, but Lord Capulet refuses to budge on the marriage. In Act 4, Scene 2, Juliet apologises for her earlier behaviour and agrees to marry Paris. Delighted, Lord Capulet moves the wedding date to the very next day.
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Tybalt's death changes Lord Capulet's mind
In William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", Tybalt is Juliet's short-tempered first cousin and Romeo's rival. After Tybalt's death, there is much mourning in the Capulet household. Paris comes to speak of marriage, and Lord Capulet decides that the best way to cheer up his grieving daughter is to hasten her marriage to Paris.
Initially, Lord Capulet was not in favour of the marriage due to Juliet's young age. In Act 1, Scene 2, he tells Paris:
> My child is yet a stranger in the world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years. Let two more summers wither in their pride ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.
However, after Tybalt's death, Lord Capulet changes his mind and decides that a hastened marriage will cure his melancholy daughter. In Act 3, Scene 4, he pleads:
> Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender of my child's love. I think she will be ruled in all respects by me; nay, I doubt it not.
Lord Capulet, blind to his daughter's true feelings, believes until the end that Juliet will follow his will. He decides that Paris and Juliet will marry later that week. Juliet is not happy about the plans, but her father is unyielding.
In Act 4, Scene 2, Juliet pretends to be obedient and apologises for her earlier behaviour. She even goes so far as to say that she is willing to marry Paris. Overjoyed, Lord Capulet moves the wedding date to the very next day. However, Juliet has no intention of going through with the wedding, as she is already married to Romeo.
The change in wedding date creates a pressure-cooker effect in the play. Juliet has to take drastic action that night, trusting only Friar Lawrence with her plan.
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Juliet is sad about Tybalt and Romeo's banishment
In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", Juliet is initially grief-stricken upon hearing the news of her cousin Tybalt's death and her husband Romeo's banishment. She verbally attacks Romeo, but soon renounces these feelings and devotes herself to grieving for Romeo's banishment. She is sad about Romeo's banishment because she loves him and does not want to be separated from him. She is also aware that their separation puts their relationship in danger, as her father is forcing her to marry Count Paris.
Juliet's father, Lord Capulet, decides that getting married will help Juliet deal with her grief over Tybalt's death. He arranges for Juliet and Paris to marry later that week. Juliet is not happy about this decision and refuses to marry Paris, leading to a huge argument. However, in Act 4, Scene 2, Juliet apologizes for her behaviour and agrees to marry Paris. Pleased by her change of heart, Lord Capulet moves the wedding date up to the very next day.
Juliet's sadness about Romeo's banishment is genuine, and she is forced to seek help from Friar Lawrence to avoid the marriage to Paris. She threatens to kill herself if Friar Lawrence cannot find a solution, and he gives her a potion that will make her appear dead so that she can be with Romeo.
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Juliet apologises to Lord Capulet
In Act 3, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, Juliet's father, Lord Capulet, tells her that she will marry Paris later that week. However, Juliet is not happy and refuses to marry Paris, leading to a heated argument between the two.
In Act 4, Scene 2, Juliet apologises to Lord Capulet for her previous behaviour and even goes as far as to say that she is willing to marry Paris. Lord Capulet is overjoyed by Juliet's change of heart and decides to move the wedding to the following day.
Juliet: Father, I come before you with a heavy heart and a deep sense of remorse. I wish to apologise for my behaviour towards you and for disobeying your wishes. I understand that my actions have brought you dishonour and pain, and for that, I am truly sorry.
In my youth and ignorance, I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgement and lead me astray. I refused to see the wisdom in your decisions and the depth of your love and concern for me. I was selfish and rebellious, thinking only of my own desires and failing to recognise the responsibilities that come with being a Capulet.
Now, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and offer my willingness to right my wrongs. I shall marry Paris as you have instructed, and I pray that this will restore the honour and respect that I have taken from our family.
Lord Capulet: My dear child, your words touch my heart, and I gladly offer you my forgiveness. Your maturity and humility in this moment fill me with pride and joy. It is a father's greatest wish to see his daughter happy and obedient, and I believe that this marriage will bring you the peace and stability you deserve.
Let us put the past behind us and look forward to a brighter future. The wedding shall take place tomorrow, and I trust that you will approach this new chapter with the grace and dignity befitting a Capulet.
Juliet: Thank you, Father. I promise to uphold the values and traditions of our family and to bring honour to our name. I am grateful for your guidance and support, and I will forever cherish the bond we share.
The Impact of Juliet's Apology
Juliet's apology to Lord Capulet is a pivotal moment in the play, as it not only leads to the advancement of the wedding date but also highlights the power dynamics and expectations within their relationship. Juliet's submissive and respectful tone reflects the societal norms of the time, where a father's authority was absolute and disobedience was met with severe consequences.
By apologising and agreeing to the marriage, Juliet is not only seeking her father's forgiveness but also ensuring her place within the family and society. However, unbeknownst to Lord Capulet, Juliet has no intention of going through with the wedding, as she has secretly devised a plan with Friar Lawrence to be with her true love, Romeo.
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Lord Capulet moves the wedding to the next day
In Act 4, Scene 2 of Romeo and Juliet, Lord Capulet makes a significant alteration to the wedding plans by moving the date up to the very next day. This decision is made during the scene's action, as Capulet is energetically directing the preparations for the wedding. The original plan was for the wedding to take place on Thursday, but Capulet's sudden change moves it to Wednesday.
This change occurs after Juliet returns from meeting with Friar Lawrence and pretends to have learned obedience. Her father, Lord Capulet, is overjoyed by this apparent change of heart and decides to accelerate the wedding plans. He says, "Send for the County; go tell him of this: / I'll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning" (Act 4, Scene 2).
The impact of this decision is profound. It puts immense pressure on Juliet, who now has no time to think or try to reach out to Romeo herself. She is entirely dependent on Friar Lawrence's plan. Additionally, it leaves little time for wedding preparations, with Capulet himself acknowledging that they will be "much unfurnished" for the occasion. Despite this, he is determined to go ahead, even taking it upon himself to deliver the message to Count Paris.
Lord Capulet's decision to move the wedding to the next day is a pivotal moment in the play. It heightens the tension and adds to the sense of urgency surrounding the events. This unexpected twist showcases Capulet's power and determination to have his way, regardless of the potential consequences.
It is worth noting that Juliet's true intention is to avoid the marriage altogether. She has secretly taken a potion given to her by Friar Lawrence, which will make her appear dead, allowing her to escape the forced marriage. However, Capulet's decision to move the wedding forward leaves less time for this plan to unfold, further increasing the pressure on all involved parties.
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Frequently asked questions
Act 4, Scene 2.
Thursday.
Wednesday.
Capulet is pleased that Juliet has agreed to marry Paris and wants to get things rolling right away.