# Scene III explained — Romeo and Juliet > Chapter companion for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. ## What happens Juliet, alone in her chamber, prepares to drink the potion given by Friar Laurence. She dismisses her Nurse and mother, then wrestles with fears that the potion might fail, be poison, or cause her to wake prematurely in the tomb surrounded by the dead, including Tybalt. Ultimately, she drinks to Romeo. ## Themes in this chapter ### Fate and Free Will Juliet's soliloquy reveals her desperate gamble to control her destiny, yet she is haunted by the possibility that fate may thwart her plans. ### Death and Tragedy Juliet's vivid imaginings of the tomb, the corpse of Tybalt, and her own potential death underscore the tragic stakes of her choice. ## Character check-ins ### Juliet Alone in her chamber, Juliet struggles with fear and resolve as she prepares to take the potion. ### Nurse Helps Juliet prepare for bed and is dismissed by Juliet. ### Lady Capulet Bids Juliet goodnight and leaves her alone. ## Key lines > I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins, That almost freezes up the heat of life A cold fear runs through my veins, nearly stopping my life's warmth. _Juliet expresses her physical and emotional terror before drinking the potion._ > What if this mixture do not work at all? Shall I be married then to-morrow morning? No, no: this shall forbid it: lie thou there. What if the potion doesn't work? Will I have to marry Paris tomorrow? No—this dagger will prevent that. _Juliet considers the possibility of the potion failing and resolves to use her dagger instead._ > Romeo, I come! this do I drink to thee. Romeo, I am coming to you! I drink this for you. _Juliet drinks the potion as a toast to Romeo, committing herself to the plan._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters