Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Act 3 Scene 4 PDF

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Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare line by line analysis of Act 3 Scene 4 Summary of the entire chapter broken down into sectors to ensure greater understanding. An analysis of the summary is provided to ensure complete depth of understanding of the scene as a whole...

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Romeo and Juliet Act 3 Scene 4

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Capulet “Things have fall’n out sir, so unluckily… I would have been abed an hour ago.” -

Direct translation: Sir, things have turned out so unluckily that we haven’t had the time to persuade Juliet to marry you. Understand that she loved her cousin Tybalt dearly, as did I. Well, we all must die. It’s very late, she won’t come down tonight. I can tell you that if it weren’t for your company, I would have gone to bed an hour ago.

Paris “These times of woe afford no time to woo Madam, good night; commend me to your daughter.” -

Direct translation: These sad times don’t give much opportunity for wooing. Madam, good night. Give my respects to your daughter.

Lady Capulet “I will, and know her mind early tomorrow; tonight she is mewed (confined) up to her heaviness (sorrow)” -

Direct translation: I will, and I’ll ask her what she thinks tomorrow. Tonight, she’s shut up in her sorrow.

Lady Capulet “… tonight she is mewed (confined) up to her heaviness (sorrow)” -

Lady Capulet is being unintentionally ironic in her choice of metaphor.

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She says that Juliet is “mewed up”, confined to her room, due to her sorrow.

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The term “mewed up” comes from falconry.

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Note: Falconry is the keeping and training of falcons or other birds of prey

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During the moulting process when the falcon is shedding its old feathers and growing new ones, it can’t fly and is therefore defenceless.

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The owner cages up the falcon in a protective cage to protect it from predators.

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Here Juliet is mewed up by her parents where Paris cannot get to her.

Capulet “Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender (uncertain offer)… But, soft (wait), what day is this?”

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Direct translation: Count Paris, I will venture so far as to offer you my daughter’s love. I think that she will be governed in this respect by me. No, I have no doubt that she will be. Dear wife, before you go to bed, inform her of the love of Paris, my future son-in-law, and ask her--note this--on next Wednesday--wait, what day is it?

Capulet “ Will you be ready? Do you like this haste?... And there an end. But what say you to Thursday.” -

Direct translation: [To Paris] Will you be ready by then? Do you approve of this speed? We won’t have a big affair, just a friend or two. With Tybalt being so recently killed, a big ceremony and party might make it look like we aren’t properly mourning his death. So, we’ll have a half dozen friends or so and that’s it. But what do you say to Thursday?

Capulet “Afore (before) me – it is so very very late… Good night” -

Direct translation: Farewell, my lord. Bring some light to my chamber! Bring it in ahead of me. It is so very, very late that in a short time we could say it’s early morning. Good night!

Summary and Notes ✓ At the Capulet manor, Capulet laments to Paris that in the midst of all the chaos surrounding Tybalt’s death, there has been no time to “move” Juliet to happy thoughts of marrying Paris. ✓ Paris assures Capulet and Lady Capulet that he understands. ✓ Lady Capulet promises Paris that, in the morning, she’ll talk to Juliet about the marriage. ✓ Capulet insists Juliet will listen to her parents—today is Monday, and he promises Paris that the two of them will be married by Thursday—the earliest their family could possibly be excused for abandoning their grief over Tybalt and enjoying the festivities of a wedding. ✓ Paris says he wishes that tomorrow was Thursday. ✓ Capulet tells his wife to go visit Juliet on her way up to bed and get her ready for a wedding—it will take place as soon as possible.

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In this brief scene, the Capulets scheme behind their daughter’s back to marry Juliet off to Paris.

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Paris is somewhat unfortunate—he does really seem to like Juliet and earnestly want to marry her.

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He is seemingly unaware of the Capulets’ corrupt instincts and desire for their own social advancement, believing only that they are supportive of his and Juliet’s burgeoning love....