Act IV begins with Friar Lawrence devising a plan to help Juliet avoid marrying Paris by faking her death. Juliet agrees to take a potion that will make her appear dead. However, news of the plan does not reach Romeo in time. When Paris finds Juliet's lifeless body, the Capulets are thrown into mourning, believing their daughter is truly dead. Friar Lawrence's risky plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet has gone horribly wrong due to a lack of communication.