1. Nathaniel Umsted
Romeo & Juliet Theme Test
Definition | the central idea of a work of literature, a life lesson learned from a story
Theme | “Good intentions can result in bad consequences.”

2. Summary | Romeo attempts to knock away Mercutio’s and Tybalt’s swords to prevent them from being punished by the Prince for fighting in a public place, but in doing so, causes Tybalt to accidentally stab Mercutio in the torso, which soon kills him.
Direct Quote | “Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame! Forebear this outrage! Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath Forbid this bandying in Verona streets. Hold Tybalt! Good Mercutio!” Lines
Explanation/Connection | Romeo had only good intentions in mind when he interfered in the duel, meaning to spare Mercutio and Tybalt the wrath of the Prince. But when Romeo grabs Tybalt’s arm, Tybalt’s sword stabs through Mercutio. Romeo had never intended for Mercutio to be hurt, but his interference caused this to happen. This kind of thing happens a lot in the world, when you attempt to save people, but some die in the process by accident, which happens in gaming, literature, and real life.

3. Summary | The Prince demands that the Friar explain what happened in the crypt and why it happened. The Friar explains the events of Acts II through V, and explains how his good intentions were never able to be put to proper usage.
Direct Quote | “Then comes she to me And with wild looks bid me devise some mean To rid her from this second marriage, Or in my cell there would she kill herself. Then gave I her (so tutored by my art) A sleeping potion; which so took effect As I intended, for it wrought on her The form of death. Meantime I writ to Romeo That he should hither come as this dire night To help to take her from her borrowed grave, Being the time the potion’s force should cease. But he which bore my letter, Friar John, Was stayed by accident, and yesternight Returned my letter back. Then all alone At the prefixèd hour of her waking Came I to take her from her kindred’s vault, Meaning to keep her closely at my cell Till I conveniently could send to Romeo. But when I came, some minute ere the time Of her awakening, here untimely lay The noble Paris and true Romeo dead. She wakes; and I entreated her come forth And bear this work of heaven with patience; But then a noise did scare me from the tomb, And she, too desperate, would not go with me, But, as it seems, did violence on herself. All this I know, and to the marriage Her nurse is privy; and if aught in this Miscarried by my fault, let my old life Be sacrificed some hour before his time Unto the rigor of severest law.” Lines
Explanation/Connection | The Friar’s main purpose in the play was to help Romeo & Juliet and to help end the feud between the Montague and Capulet families. But, whenever he tried to help out with a plan, something bad resulted from it. The Friar married Romeo & Juliet, and when Romeo speaks to Tybalt in Act III, Tybalt believes Romeo is being sarcastic in his “friendly” remarks and becomes easily aggravated by Mercutio. The Friar never intended to cause fights and deaths. Also, when the Friar sends a letter to Romeo about their plan, it doesn’t get there in time and Romeo goes to Juliet’s crypt, kills Paris, and then himself. The friar never knew that his good intentions would cause so much harm, and he therefore feels himself responsible for the entire problem. It is common for helpful plans to bring up more complications, for example, a city has a dam built to prevent flooding, but then an endangered species of salmon cannot get to their breeding grounds and therefore face extinction. A new river is made to the spawning grounds, but the river passes through a fishing hotspot by accident and the salmon are caught by the tens and in greater danger. These kind of situations are too common in the modern world.

4. Summary | Paris notices Romeo arriving at Juliet’s crypt, and he believes that Romeo intends to “commit a villainous shame” upon the dead bodies. He attempts to apprehend Romeo with the “good” intention of protecting Juliet’s body, but he doesn’t realize Romeo’s true reason for being there. Romeo eventually is provoked by Paris’s insistence upon turning him in to the Prince and Romeo fights and kills Paris.
This is that banished haughty Montague That murd’red my love’s cousin—with which grief It is supposed the fair creature died—And here is come to do some villainous shame To the dead bodies. I will apprehend him. Stop thy unhallowèd toil, vile Montague! Can vengeance be pursued further than death? Condemnèd villain, I do apprehend thee. Obey, and go with me; for thou must die.
Romeo.
I must indeed; and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desp’rate man. Fly hence and leave me. Think upon these gone; Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth, Put not another sin upon my head By urging me to fury. O, be gone! By heaven, I love thee better than myself, For I come hither armed against myself. Stay not, be gone. Live, and hereafter say A madman’s mercy bid thee run away.
Paris.
I do defy thy conjurations And apprehend thee for a felon here.
Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!
Explanation/Connection | Paris had intended to protect Juliet’s body from “unhallowѐd toil,” but he was unaware of what the audience of the play already knew, that Romeo was Juliet’s husband, and that Romeo came to kill himself. Paris intended to protect Juliet, but in attempting to do so, he provoked the already desperate Romeo into murdering him, because Paris was keeping him from seeing Juliet in the crypt. Love triangles tend to be awkward and always tend to bite people in the back at some point, and just the slightest amount of miscommunication can bring destruction to anyone in it.