(Act 3, Scene V; Act 4, Scenes IV, V; Act 5, Scenes I, III) A Pact with Death - Chapter 6 Lady Capulet found Juliet in tears. “Are you still weeping for your cousin’s death?” she asked. “But too much sorrow shows some lack of sense, unless you weep because Tybalt’s murderer is still alive.” She informed Juliet that Lord Capulet had suddenly decided to give her a day of joy and to fix the marriage date with Paris. “I do not understand his haste . Pray mother, tell him I will not get married yet.” replied Juliet. Of course Juliet wanted to avoid the marriage and when her father arrived she produced inconsistent and silly excuses that provoked Lord Capulet’s anger, “How, now! How now, what is this? ‘I am proud,’ – and ‘I thank you,’ – and ‘I will not get married,’ – ‘I cannot love,’ – ‘I am too young,’ – ‘I pray you, pardon me.’ – Look, I do not like joking. I promised, and I will give you to my friend, Paris; or else I will throw you into the street and disinherit you.” With this threat Lord Capulet marched out of the room, leaving Juliet in despair. Fortunately there was a friend, Friar Laurence; he was wise and good and was always ready to give advice and help. Juliet hurried to the monastery and the saintly man suggested to her to take a potion on the night before her wedding, “After you drink this potion, you will become gradually cold, lose colour and show no pulse . This state of apparent death will continue for twentyfour* hours and then you will awake as from a pleasant sleep.” 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 : pain : unexpectedly. : hurry. : foolish. : take away the right to inherit. : intimidation. : able to make sensible decisions and give good advice. : counsels, suggestions. : heartbeat. 1. sorrow 2. suddenly 3. haste 4. silly 5. disinherit 6. threat 7. wise 8. advice 9. pulse
