Romeo & Juliet - Act 4 Scene 2
Hall in Capulet's house.
Enter CAPULET, LADY CAPULET, Nurse, and two Servingmen
Capulet has forgotten Juliet's disobedience, or else he is willfully ignoring it. Either way, this scene starts out bright and comic, in stark opposition to the previous one.
CAPULET
So many guests invite as here are writ.
Exit First Servant
Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.
Second Servant
You shall have none ill, sir, for I'll try if
they can lick their fingers.
CAPULET
How canst thou try them so?
The preparations for the wedding here echo the preparations for the party in 1.5: bustle, activity, and comically incompetent servants.
Second Servant
Marry, sir, 'tis an ill cook that cannot lick his
own fingers: therefore he that cannot lick his
fingers goes not with me.
CAPULET
Go, be gone.
Exit Second Servant
We shall be much unfurnished for this time.
What, is my daughter gone to Friar Laurence?
Nurse
Ay, forsooth.
CAPULET
Well, he may chance to do some good on her;
A peevish self-willed harlotry it is.
Nurse
See where she comes from shrift with merry look.
Enter JULIET
Again, Juliet seems skilled at concealing her true feelings. The knowledge that she is about to leave her family forever may make this moment easier for her, or it may add an element of grief and pathos.
CAPULET
How now, my headstrong! Where have you been gadding?
JULIET
Where I have learned me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
To you and your behests, and am enjoined
By holy Laurence to fall prostrate here,
And beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you!
Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.
CAPULET
Send for the County; go tell him of this.
I'll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning.
JULIET
I met the youthful lord at Laurence' cell;
And gave him what becomèd love I might,
Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty.
Capulet's praise of Friar Laurence is, for the audience, filled with irony, given our knowledge of the Friar's actual plan; it becomes that much more ironic if we're aware of the play's conclusion.
CAPULET
Why, I am glad on't; this is well: stand up.
This is as't should be. Let me see the county;
Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.
Now, afore God! this reverend holy friar,
Our whole city is much bound to him.
JULIET
Nurse, will you go with me into my closet,
To help me sort such needful ornaments
As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?
LADY CAPULET
No, not till Thursday; there is time enough.
CAPULET
Go, nurse, go with her; we'll to church tomorrow.
Exeunt JULIET and Nurse
LADY CAPULET
We shall be short in our provision;
'Tis now near night.
This scene ends with the manic energy of a romantic comedy: the wedding is imminent, Lord Capulet is off to meet with the groom, Lady Capulet is making preparations, servants have been sent out on various errands. The audience, knowing all the details, is left with a sense of dread which contrasts the lightness of the scene.
CAPULET
Tush, I will stir about,
And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife.
Go thou to Juliet, help to deck up her;
I'll not to bed tonight; let me alone;
I'll play the housewife for this once. What, ho!
They are all forth. Well, I will walk myself
To County Paris, to prepare him up
Against tomorrow. My heart is wondrous light,
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed.
Exeunt