An Analysis of
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ACT IV SCENE V
An Analysis of Chapter 20
Tone
Tragic, Mournful, With Moments Of Black Comedy (Especially In The Musicians' Scene)
Basic Stats
| Intensity | Clarity | Conflict | Resolution | Pacing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart-pounding - (5) | Clear - (4) | Hostile - (4) | A little - (2) | Quick - (4) |
Basically...
The Capulet household discovers Juliet apparently dead on her wedding day, resulting in a scene of emotional devastation, mourning, and black irony.
In more detail...
In Juliet's chamber, the Nurse arrives to wake her for her wedding to Paris, only to find her motionless and unresponsive. She desperately tries to rouse Juliet, calling for help. Lady Capulet and Lord Capulet rush in, and all three are overcome with grief when they believe Juliet is dead. Their plans for a celebration instantly turn into preparations for a funeral. Paris, arriving with Friar Lawrence for the wedding, is devastated by the loss of his bride. Friar Lawrence, knowing the truth about Juliet's feigned death, tries to offer comfort and rationalize her passing, encouraging the family to proceed with the funeral rites. The Capulets, Paris, and Friar Lawrence exit with Juliet's body. A brief, darkly comic exchange then follows between the musicians and Peter, providing a jarring contrast to the preceding tragedy and highlighting the complexities of grief and social duty.
Characters
- Juliet
- About - Appears apparently dead after taking the Friar's potion; she is the focal point of the mourning.
- Personality Traits - Brave, determined, resourceful, deeply in love.
- Physical Characteristics - Young woman, beautiful, lies pale and motionless on her bed.
- Character Connections
- Nurse - Her caretaker and confidante, discovers her 'dead'.
- Lady Capulet - Her mother, devastated by her presumed death.
- Capulet - Her father, grieves deeply for her.
- Paris - Her would-be fiancé, mourns the loss of his bride.
- Friar Lawrence - The orchestrator of her feigned death.
- Nurse
- About - Discovers Juliet's lifeless body, becomes hysterical, and calls for help.
- Personality Traits - Emotional, loyal, deeply caring for Juliet, prone to panic.
- Physical Characteristics - Middle-aged or older woman, typical nurse/serving maid attire.
- Character Connections
- Juliet - Deeply bonded; surrogate mother figure.
- Lady Capulet - Serves as Lady Capulet's attendant.
- Capulet - Servant in the Capulet house.
- Lady Capulet
- About - Rushes in, laments Juliet's death with deep emotional distress.
- Personality Traits - Grieving, dramatic, emotionally expressive, somewhat dependent on others in crisis.
- Physical Characteristics - Noblewoman, Juliet's mother, likely formally dressed for the planned wedding.
- Character Connections
- Juliet - Her daughter; the center of her love and grief.
- Capulet - Her husband; shares sorrow in their shared loss.
- Capulet
- About - Arrives to find Juliet 'dead,' expresses profound grief, and orders the shift from wedding to funeral.
- Personality Traits - Authoritative, deeply affected by loss, expressive in his sorrow, responsible for household.
- Physical Characteristics - Elderly nobleman, Juliet's father, likely dressed for the wedding festivities.
- Character Connections
- Juliet - Her father; his grief is overwhelming.
- Lady Capulet - His wife; they unite in mourning.
- Nurse - Relies on her in the household.
- Friar Lawrence
- About - Arrives with Paris, tries to contain the mourning and redirect the family's grief to acceptance; only he knows Juliet is not truly dead.
- Personality Traits - Calm, rational, compassionate, quick-thinking, conflicted.
- Physical Characteristics - Older friar, robed, wise, compassionate.
- Character Connections
- Juliet - Advisor, orchestrator of her feigned death.
- Capulet - Tries to guide him through grief.
- Paris - Encourages him to accept Juliet's 'fate.'
- Paris
- About - Arrives to marry Juliet, is devastated to find her dead.
- Personality Traits - Courteous, grieving, earnest, unfulfilled.
- Physical Characteristics - Young nobleman, dressed for wedding.
- Character Connections
- Juliet - Her suitor, hopes to marry her.
- Capulet and Lady Capulet - Would-be in-laws; united in grief.
- Peter
- About - Comic servant, provides comic relief through verbally sparring with the musicians.
- Personality Traits - Playful, cheeky, irreverent, comic.
- Physical Characteristics - Young servant, lower class, lively demeanor.
- Character Connections
- Nurse - Fellow servant in the Capulet household.
- Musicians - Bickers with them.
- First, Second, and Third Musicians
- About - Expected to play at the wedding, provide comic relief after being asked to play at the now somber event.
- Personality Traits - Practical, comedic, employ humor to cope.
- Physical Characteristics - Working men with musical instruments.
- Character Connections
- Peter - Exchange puns and jokes.
- Capulet household - There to perform at wedding.