Saturday, May 27, 2017

In Romeo and Juliet, how does Paris explain the hasty marriage plans?

In the beginning of Act IV of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Count Paris is explaining to Friar Lawrence the new marriage plans of Lord Capulet. Capulet has given Paris permission to marry Juliet. When the friar notes that the "time is very short," Paris claims that Capulet wants Juliet married as soon as possible so she doesn't continue to mourn the death of Tybalt:


Now, sir, her father counts it dangerousThat she do...

In the beginning of Act IV of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Count Paris is explaining to Friar Lawrence the new marriage plans of Lord Capulet. Capulet has given Paris permission to marry Juliet. When the friar notes that the "time is very short," Paris claims that Capulet wants Juliet married as soon as possible so she doesn't continue to mourn the death of Tybalt:



Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous
That she do give her sorrow so much sway,
And in his wisdom hastes our marriage
To stop the inundation of her tears



Capulet and Paris have no idea what is going on with Juliet, yet the audience is well-aware of the situation. Capulet and Paris do not realize Juliet's tears are caused by Romeo's banishment, not Tybalt's death. Moreover, she cannot marry Paris because she is already married to Romeo. When Juliet enters the scene to speak to the friar, she basically avoids much conversation with Paris, who is quite eager to marry her. The marriage plans with Paris ultimately act as the catalyst for the tragic events at the end of the play.

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