Summary Act 3




Scene 1

Scene 1 takes place in a public place. Mercutio, Benvolio enter with a page and several servants. Benvolio is complaining about the heat of the day and Mercutio teases him for it. As they talk Tybalt followed by a couple of servants enters the scene. He asks Benvolio and Mercutio if they have seen Romeo. As Benvolio and Mercutio tease Tybalt, Romeo enters the scene.

Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, but Rome refuses because Tybalt is now his family Mercutio takes Romeo's refusal as a sign of cowardice and challenges Tybalt in Romeo's stead. Tybalt and Mercutio start to fight. Romeo tries to stop the fight, then as he steps between the two Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm dealing him a mortal blow and then runs away.

Romeo attempts to comfort Mercutio who dispatches his page to find a doctor. Romeo tries to encourage Mercutio but it is obvious he will die. Eventually Benvolio helps Mercution off the street and the two exit the scene. Romeo is by himself for a short time while he speaks about being angry with Tybalt, then Benvolio enters the scene again to let Romeo know Mercutio is dead. Tybalt comes back into the scene and Romeo challenges him to a fight. The two fight and Romeo kills Tybalt.

Benvolio tells Romeo to run away as several citizens have seen the fight and are upset. Romeo exits the scene. A short time later the Prince, both Lord Montague and Lord Capulet, and several citizens enter the scene. Benvolio tells the prince what happens. The Prince, instead of sentencing Romeo to death, instead decided to banish him and fine both families. Everyone exits the scene.

Scene 2

Scene 4 takes place in Capulet's Orchard. Juliet enters the scene worrying about the fact that Romeo has yet to arrive. The Nurse enters the scene and tells Juliet of Tybalt's death. Juliet fears this means that Romeo is dead. The Nurse informs Juliet that Romeo is not dead but banished and is currently hiding in the fryers cell. Juliet asks the Nurse to go to Romeo and have him give her a farewell visit that night. Everyone exits the scene.

Scene 3

Scene 3 takes place in Friar Laurnce's cell. Friar Laurence enters the scene bidding Romeo to come out of hiding. Romeo comes out and the Friar tells him that Romeo is banished. Romeo bemoans his fate because being banished is like a living death. There is a knock at the door and it is Juliet's Nurse. The Nurse enters the scene and informs Rome and the Friar that Juliet is very distraught over the news of Romeo's banishment. Romeo tries to kill himself but is stopped by the Friar and the Nurse. The Friar tells Romeo to go and visit Juliet that night and leave for Mantua in the morning. He also tells Romeo that while Romeo is in Mantua, the Friar will find a way to make Romeo and Juliet's marriage public and gain Romeo a pardon.

Scene 4

Scene 4 takes place in a room on the Capulet's house. Capulet, the Lady Capulet, and Paris enter the scene discussing Juliet's sorrow at the death of Tybalt. Paris complains that her mourning is stopping him from courting her. Capulet tells Paris that he will command Juliet to marry him. Paris is happy with this. Capulet tells his wife to inform Juliet of her betrothal.

Scene 5

Scene 5 takes place in Capulet's Orchard. Romeo and Juliet enter wishing that the morning was not upon them. For a brief minute they try to pretend that it is evening and not morning, but eventually they face the reality of Romeo's banishment and Romeo exits the scene.

After Romeo exits, Juliet begins to cry and her mother, Lady Capulet, enters the scene. She mistakes Juliet's sorrow to be caused by the death of Tybalt and tells her that she plans to have Romeo poisoned. Then Lady Capulet tells Juliet that her father has arranged for her to marry Paris. Juliet of course refuses to marry Paris and argues with her mother until Lord Capulet arrives.

Juliet argues her marriage with Paris to her father. Eventually he grows tired of her arguing with him and tells Juliet that she will obey his command then leaves the scene. Lady Capulet tells her daughter not to speak to her for a while and leaves. Alone with her Nurse Juliet decides to go speak with Friar Laurence for advice.



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