Questions and Answers
How does Juliet deceive Lady Capulet and the Nurse at the beginning of the scene?
She says that she has to pray (and be alone) and the Nurse should help her stressed mom.
Why does Juliet deceive the Nurse and Lady Capulet?
So she can be alone to drink the potion.
What fears does Juliet talk about in her soliloquy?
The potion won't work, it's poison, she will have to wait for Romeo, she will suffocate, she will go crazy and beat herself with someone's bone.
What does Juliet do at the end of the scene?
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Why does Juliet drink the potion?
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Study Notes
Juliet's Deception
- Juliet pretends she needs solitude to pray, allowing her to deceive Lady Capulet and the Nurse.
- The request for privacy is a strategic move so that she can take the potion without being interrupted.
Motivations for Deception
- Juliet's primary motivation for deceiving the Nurse and Lady Capulet is to gain the opportunity to drink a potion that will help her escape the impending marriage to Paris.
Fears Expressed by Juliet
- In her soliloquy, Juliet articulates several deep fears:
- The possibility that the potion may not be effective.
- Concerns that the potion might actually be poison.
- Worries about waiting too long for Romeo, fearing he may not come.
- Anxiety about the sensation of suffocation and descent into madness.
- Imagines scenarios of violence, such as beating herself with bones if things go wrong.
Actions at Scene's Conclusion
- By the end of the scene, Juliet resolves her fears by drinking the potion, fully committing to her plan.
Purpose Behind Taking the Potion
- Juliet's decision to drink the potion is driven by her desperation to avoid marrying Paris and her hope to reunite with Romeo.
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Description
Test your understanding of Act 4, Scene 3 of 'Romeo and Juliet'. This quiz explores Juliet's deception and her fears as she prepares to take the potion. Dive into the themes and character motivations present in this pivotal moment of the play.
