Romeo and Juliet Themes Analysis

Questions and Answers

Why is Friar Laurence reluctant to marry Paris and Juliet?

He knows that Juliet is already married. It is a sin to a priest to have someone be married twice.

How does Paris explain the sudden haste of the marriage plans?

Paris wants to make the wedding a day earlier to stop Juliet from crying.

What is ironic about the conversation between Juliet and Paris?

Juliet and Paris talk about love, but Juliet actually confesses her love to Romeo, which Paris is unaware of.

If Friar Laurence cannot help Juliet, what does Juliet threaten to do?

Kill herself. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Friar Lawrence think Juliet will accept his plan?

If Juliet is willing to kill herself, she will be willing to do something like death. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Friar's plan for Juliet.

Juliet will agree to marry Paris and drink a potion that will make her seem dead. She will then be put in a coffin and Romeo will be informed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Friar Laurence's Reluctance

Friar Laurence hesitates to marry Paris and Juliet as he is aware that Juliet is already wed to Romeo.
Performing a second marriage for Juliet would contradict his priestly duties and be considered a sin.

Paris's Marriage Plans

Paris explains his urgency to advance the wedding date in an attempt to alleviate Juliet's grief over Tybalt's death.
He believes that a quick marriage will help Juliet overcome her sadness.

Irony in Juliet's Confession

The conversation between Juliet and Paris is marked by dramatic irony; Juliet discusses love, while Paris is oblivious to her true feelings for Romeo.
Juliet’s apparent confession of love for Paris lacks sincerity as her heart belongs to Romeo.

Juliet's Desperation

Faced with the prospect of an unwanted marriage, Juliet threatens to end her life if Friar Laurence cannot devise a solution.
Her willingness to consider suicide underscores her desperation and intensity of feelings for Romeo.

Friar Laurence's Hope

Friar Laurence believes that Juliet’s threat of suicide indicates her readiness to embrace drastic measures, making her a likely candidate for his risky plan.
He assumes that if she desires death over marriage to Paris, she might accept an alternative course that simulates death.

The Friar's Plan

Friar Laurence devises a strategy where Juliet will feign her death by consuming a potion, leading others to believe she has died.
After being placed in a coffin, Romeo will be informed of the ruse, allowing him to rescue Juliet and take her to Mantua.

Description

This quiz explores the pivotal themes surrounding Friar Laurence, Paris, and Juliet in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'. It delves into the complexities of love, duty, and desperation as Juliet confronts her unwelcome marriage to Paris while her heart belongs to Romeo. Test your understanding of these dramatic elements and their implications.