This summary provides an overview of key events in Act 3, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet: Juliet tries to convince Romeo that it is still night and he has time before he must leave, as their secret marriage could mean death if discovered. Lady Capulet tells Juliet she must marry Paris, but Juliet refuses and says she will only marry Romeo. When Lord Capulet hears this, he is angry at her defiance and threatens to disown her. He tells Juliet she has no choice and must marry Paris. Seeing no other option, Juliet decides to go to Friar Lawrence for help escaping the marriage to Paris, or she will kill herself.

1. Romeo and Juliet
Act 3, Scene 5
STUDY GUIDE ANSWERS

2. 1. Juliet tries to convince Romeo he hears a
nightingale not a lark so it must still be night.
Romeo knows he will be put to death if he is
caught and must leave before the early morning
light. Juliet says it is a meteor not the sun.
Romeo stays awhile longer.

3. 2. Juliet appears to
speak ill of Romeo so
that her marriage stays
secret. You can read
her words two ways.
“Indeed I shall never be satisfied
With Romeo till I behold him --dead--
Is my poor heart so for a kinsmen vexed.”
Lines 97-99

4. 3. Lady Capulet
tells Juliet she is to
marry Paris but
Juliet says she’d
rather marry the
villain Romeo.
I will not marry yet. And when I do, I swear.
It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,
Rather than Paris. Lines 125-127

5. “
”
4. When Juliet refuses to marry Lord
Capulet sees her as unworthy and
ungrateful. He’s found her “so worthy a
gentleman to be her bridegroom” (line 149) and
she is questioning his authority.

6. “
”
5. During this time period women didn’t make many
decisions, the men were in control.

7. “
”
Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither.
Line 159
Or never after look me in the face.
Line 167
6. He will call her a traitor and never see her
again. (Foreshadowing)

8. 7. The Nurse is
told to hold her
tongue when she
tries to speak up
for Juliet.

9. 8. Lord Capulet
says he owns Juliet
and he will disown
her if she doesn’t
marry Paris. Juliet
will inherit nothing.
And you be not, hang, beg,
starve, die in the streets.
For, by my soul, I’ll never
acknowledge thee,
Lines 202-203

10. “
”
9. Juliet asks the wedding be
postponed or she’ll kill herself
“Or if you do not, make the bridal bed
In the dim monument where Tybalt lies” and
Lady Capulet refuses to talk about it
anymore.
Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word.
Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee. (Lines 210-213)

11. 10. The Nurse tells Juliet to forget
Romeo and marry Paris. The Nurse is
practical and she thinks a man is a
man and perhaps Paris is better than
Romeo.
I think it best you married you married with the County.
O, he’s a lovely gentleman.
Romeo’s a dishclout to him. An eagle, madame, (lines 228-230)

12. “
”
11. Juliet and the Nurse are foils and
contrast each other.
The Nurse believes in courtly love,
which looks good in public, and is
polite.
Juliet believes in true love that needs
no explanation, and is passionate..

13. 12. After hearing
the Nurse’s
opinion Juliet
decides she
cannot depend on
her for advise or
help.
So many thousand times? Go,
counsellor!
Thou and my bosom henceforth
shall be twain.
Lines 250-251

14. 13. Juliet is going to
Friar Lawrence to see
if he can get her out
of marrying Paris and
if he can’t then Juliet
is going to kill herself.

15. Created by M. Riddell – April 2017