Skip to main content

Why does Paris think Romeo has come to the tomb?

Paris thinks Romeo has come to the Capulet's family crypt in order to vandalize it or to desecrate the dead bodies of the Capulets (namely, Juliet and Tybalt) that lay within. This is perhaps an odd or surprising sentiment for a reader to encounter, but we must contextualize it by recalling that Romeo and Juliet's love affair and marriage have been keep a secret from most of the major players in this narrative; Paris does...

Paris thinks Romeo has come to the Capulet's family crypt in order to vandalize it or to desecrate the dead bodies of the Capulets (namely, Juliet and Tybalt) that lay within. This is perhaps an odd or surprising sentiment for a reader to encounter, but we must contextualize it by recalling that Romeo and Juliet's love affair and marriage have been keep a secret from most of the major players in this narrative; Paris does not know that Juliet--the woman to which he is betrothed--has actually already been wed to another man. We can see this confusion in the small speech Paris makes when he spots Romeo approaching the tomb:



This is that banish'd haughty Montague,


That murder'd 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.



Paris wants this "condemned villain" to suffer the vengeance that he deserves: that is to say, death. In his state of grief, that of "a desperate man," Romeo does not even attempt to correct Paris or justify his actions. Instead, they duel, and Paris is slain.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more