Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

geo444
geo444
Teacher
Community / Jr. College

During Act 4, what information does the audience have that various characters do not have?

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Posted by geo444 on Sunday March 22, 2009 at 1:05 PM and tagged with act 4, dramatic irony, romeo and juliet, shakespeare.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    The situational irony that exists in Act IV is first of all, that Juliet cannot morally or legally marry Paris since she is already married to Romeo.  To seek a solution to her personal dilemma, Juliet lies to her parents, telling them that she must go to confession at the cell of Friar Laurence. While there, she relates her woes to Friar Laurence, begging him to help her.  Friar Laurence devises a plan to stall:  He will give Juliet a potion which will make her appear dead.  Then, the Capulets will have to "entomb" her, an action which will stall for time,  Also, they will be so grief-stricken at their loss and elated when she is returned to them, that they will forgive Juliet for having married Romeo.  This all is another example of situational irony as the viewers/readers are fully aware that Juliet does not actually die. 

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo/act-iv

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    Posted by mwestwood on Sunday March 22, 2009 at 1:36 PM