It's been a while since I sat down and read any Shakespeare, so I'm really happy that this book club has been revived. So far, I'm enjoying Romeo and Juliet way more than I did in college. This week's reading really added a lot of drama and conflict to the story. There were parts where I was genuinely frustrated at the impulsive decisions the characters made.

The questions will be in the comments.

For next week, we will be reading from Act IV (4), Scene II (2) to the end of the play.

Silly sidenote - I know that Paris is a titled Count, hence the name, but every time the characters call him 'County Paris' I genuinely can't stop seeing Post Malone. Idk why. I'm not a Post Malone fan even. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Summary:

Act III:

This Act begins with Mercutio, Benvolio and Romeo meeting up the next morning on the street. Despite Romeo trying to keep the peace, the group get into a fight with Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. Tybalt gives Mercutio a fatal wound, which kills Mercutio shortly after. Upon hearing of Mercutio’s death, Romeo attacks and kills Tybalt. Due to this all going down on a public street, it doesn’t take long until other people, including the Prince and Lord and Lady Capulet, notice. Romeo flees the scene. Benvolio remains and tells a truthful account of what just happened, leading to Romeo being banished from Verona (as opposed to being executed for murder).

Later, the Nurse comes to Juliet and tries to tell her that Tybalt is dead. At first, it comes out sounding like Romeo is dead. After a series of misunderstandings, the Nurse finally makes her message clear. Juliet is distraught but turns from mourning her cousin to being upset that Romeo has been banished. It should be noted here at Juliet is way more upset about Romeo's banishment than her cousin's death.

Meanwhile, Romeo and Frair Laurence come up with a plan of action: Romeo will go to Mantua and wait to reunite with Juliet until the news of their marriage has spread. Romeo and Juliet spend the night together to say goodbye.

The act ends with Lord and Lady Capulet talking to Juliet’s suitor, Paris. They decide that Juliet and Paris will be married in a couple of day. They try to package the wedding as a way for Juliet to get over mourning period for Tybalt. Lady Capulet goes and tells Juliet about the engagement. Juliet is not happy and tries to defy her parents. Her father threatens to disinherit her. Juliet tries to get help from both her mother and the Nurse. Her mother refuses, while Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris because he is the better match. Juliet pretends to agree and decides to visit Friar Laurence.

Act IV Scene I:

Friar Laurence talks to Paris about the upcoming wedding. Despite being the person who married Juliet to Romeo in secret, the friar agrees to preside over the new wedding. He does not appear to be concerning about the moral or legal repercussions for this. Juliet interrupts them and ends up getting to speak to the friar in private. In a stroke of (potential) genius, Friar Laurence comes up with a plan for Juliet to fake her own death and run away with Romeo.

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