Romeo and Juliet: Novel Summary: Act III, Scene 4-Act III, Scene 5

Act III, Scene 4: Paris tries to discuss his proposal of marriage with the Capulets.  They feel that Tybalt's death makes the timing difficult.  Capulet changes his mind suddenly and tells his wife to tell Juliet of the proposal.  He says he will do his best to convince her to marry, believing she will be obedient.  Paris and Capulet set the wedding date, which Paris eagerly anticipates.
Act III, Scene 5: Romeo and Juliet are in her bedroom, having shared their wedding night together.  The Friar had previously instructed Romeo to leave by dawn so as to avoid being spotted.  The lovers do not want to believe the time has come and attempt to deny that fact.  When Juliet realizes her husband will die if he doesn't go, she urges him to do so.  The Nurse arrives to warn Juliet that the Lady Capulet is on her way.  Romeo escapes down the rope ladder and says that they will be together again.  Juliet fears that it will be only in death.  She begins to weep and her mother enters.  Lady Capulet believes her daughter is still weeping for the death of Tybalt and proposes a plan to have Romeo poisoned.  Juliet tries to answer as she should without giving away her true feelings.  She says that her heart will be dead until she sees Romeo but her mother takes her statement to mean she wishes to see Romeo dead.  Lady Capulet then tries to cheer her up by telling her of the planned marriage with Paris.  Juliet says that she will not marry Paris, as he has not courted her.  She tells her mother that she would rather marry Romeo (whom her mother thinks she hates).  Capulet enters to share in the celebration of the news and is informed that Juliet will not comply.  He flies into a rage and threatens to disown her if she will not follow his orders.  His wife and the Nurse try to calm him down a bit but he is completely enraged.  He storms away.  Lady Capulet will not comfort her daughter and leaves as well.  The Nurse advises Juliet to forget Romeo now that he is banished and to marry Paris.  The Nurse is a Capulet servant and must support their wishes.  She believes that everything will be fine if Juliet simply follows her parents' directive.  Juliet pretends to agree (though she feels betrayed) and tells her to inform her parents that she has gone to Friar Lawrence's cell for confession.  She really plans to ask him for his help.  If he cannot or will not help her, she plans to kill herself.