LINES 127-244

It's obvious that Juliet doesn't want to marry Paris. But, instead of trying to find out why and counsel her, her parents angrily disown her.

When her father and her Nurse arrive at her bedroom, her father asks Lady Capulet if she's given Juliet the news. She answers with another bit of foreshadowing:

Ay sir; but she will none, she gives you thanks. I would the fool were married to her grave! (III, v, 139-41)

Lord Capulet explodes with anger that Juliet should cross him this way. Lady Capulet tries to bring him to his senses, telling him he's acting crazy; but in the end, only the Nurse stands up for Juliet.

Still nothing calms her father down. He yells that his whole life has been devoted to finding Juliet a worthy match; and now that he's found the best one possible, she refuses, whining like a fool. He lays down a final ultimatum: if she doesn't marry Paris on Thursday, she can

Hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. (III, v, 194-95)

Juliet turns to her mother one last time: "O sweet my mother, cast me not away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week." But it's no use. Her mother says, "Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee."

Deserted by her parents, Juliet turns to her faithful Nurse for advice. The Nurse's advice is simple-forget Romeo and marry Paris. Paris is so fine, she says, that Romeo's a dishcloth in comparison.

Juliet is shocked. "Speakest thou from your heart?" she asks. Juliet has a serious problem. Legally, morally, and in her heart she is already married. Instead of offering a solution for her problem, the Nurse suggests that she ignore it, pretend it hadn't happened, and start again.

This is the worst betrayal of all. Juliet still hides her feelings, and tells the Nurse that she has comforted her "marvellous much." But she cuts the final cord to her childhood. Alone, Juliet says of her Nurse, "Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain."

The girl has only one hope left-Friar Lawrence. She resolves to go to church to confess displeasing her father. At this point, Juliet has taken responsibility for her own fate. "If all else fail, myself have power to die," she pledges.

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