# Scene IV explained — Romeo and Juliet

> Chapter companion for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Capulet, Lady Capulet, and Paris discuss the recent death of Tybalt and the difficulty of wooing Juliet in such times of woe. Capulet decides that Juliet will marry Paris on Thursday, and instructs his wife to inform Juliet of the arrangement.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Feud and Conflict

Tybalt's death, a result of the feud, directly influences Capulet's decision to hasten Juliet's marriage to Paris.

### Fate and Free Will

Capulet's insistence on controlling Juliet's future contrasts with the unfolding tragic fate of the lovers.

## Character check-ins

### Capulet

Arranges Juliet's marriage to Paris for Thursday, insisting she will be ruled by him.

### Lady Capulet

Tasked by Capulet to inform Juliet of the planned wedding to Paris.

### Paris

Agrees to the Thursday wedding, expressing eagerness to marry Juliet.

## Key lines

> Things have fall’n out, sir, so unluckily, That we have had no time to move our daughter: Look you, she loved her kinsman Tybalt dearly, And so did I:—Well, we were born to die.

Things have turned out so unfortunately that we haven't had a chance to persuade our daughter. You see, she loved her cousin Tybalt deeply, and so did I—but we are all born to die.

_Capulet explains to Paris that Tybalt's death has delayed their plans to arrange Juliet's marriage._

> Sir Paris, I will make a desperate tender Of my child’s love: I think she will be ruled In all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not.

Sir Paris, I will make a bold offer of my daughter's love. I believe she will be guided by me in everything; in fact, I have no doubt about it.

_Capulet asserts his authority over Juliet, confident she will obey his decision to marry Paris._

> O’ Thursday let it be: o’ Thursday, tell her, She shall be married to this noble earl.

Let it be on Thursday: on Thursday, tell her that she will be married to this noble earl.

_Capulet sets the wedding date for Thursday, instructing his wife to inform Juliet._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters