Romeo and Juliet · Chapter
Scene VI explained
Romeo and Juliet meet at Friar Laurence's cell to be secretly married.
What happens
Romeo and Juliet meet at Friar Laurence's cell to be secretly married. Romeo expresses that no sorrow can outweigh the joy of being with Juliet, while Friar Laurence warns of the dangers of violent passions. Juliet arrives, and they exchange vows of love before the Friar leads them to be wed.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Impulse
Romeo and Juliet's hasty marriage reflects the impulsive, all-consuming nature of their love, ignoring Friar Laurence's caution.
Fate and Free Will
Romeo's defiance of 'love-devouring death' and Friar Laurence's warning about violent ends highlight the tension between their choices and the tragic fate looming over them.
Characters to notice
- Romeo
Eager to marry Juliet, dismisses potential sorrow as insignificant compared to his joy.
- Juliet
Arrives at the cell, expresses her love is too vast to be counted.
- Friar Laurence
Performs the secret wedding, warns Romeo that violent delights have violent ends.
Key passages
“These violent delights have violent ends”
Intense pleasures often lead to intense destruction.
Friar Laurence warns Romeo that their passionate love may end in tragedy.
“I cannot sum up sum of half my wealth”
I cannot even count half of my happiness.
Juliet says her love is so immense it cannot be measured.