Act 4, Scene 1

Paris is busy making plans with Friar Laurence for his upcoming wedding with Juliet. Juliet enters, and, sensing she’s there for confession, Paris makes his exit. A despairing Juliet begs Friar Laurence’s help in averting a marriage to Paris. If he can’t help her, she has resolved to commit suicide. Friar Laurence has a solution: she should go along with her father’s plan, but when it’s time to marry Paris, Juliet will take a potion that mimics death. She’ll be placed in the Capulet tomb, where the Friar will bring Romeo to wait for her to wake up. Juliet consents to the plan, takes the vial, and leaves.