Which scene in Romeo and Juliet is Juliet's willingness to deceive her family and fake her death occurs? Give evidence from the text and in text reference.
The scene in which Juliet's willingness to deceive her family and fake her death occurs is Act IV, Scene 3. Juliet has just learned that she is to be married to Paris and plans to take a potion that will make her appear dead in order to avoid the marriage. She tells Friar Lawrence:
"Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins
That almost freezes up the heat of life.
I'll call them back again to comfort me.
Nurse!- What should she do here?
My dismal scene I needs must act alone.-
Come, vial.
What if this mixture do not work at all?
Shall I be married then tomorrow morning?
No, no! This shall forbid it. Lie thou there."
(IV.iii.14-22)
Juliet's willingness to go to such lengths to avoid the marriage and be with Romeo shows her strong love and commitment to him.
The scene in Romeo and Juliet where Juliet shows her willingness to deceive her family and fake her death occurs in Act IV, Scene iii. In this scene, Juliet is in her chamber alone with the Nurse and Friar Lawrence, discussing her desperate situation.
One piece of evidence from the text that showcases Juliet's determination to deceive her family is when she declares her intention to take the potion given to her by Friar Lawrence to simulate death. Juliet says, "Give me, give me! O, tell not me of fear!" (Romeo and Juliet, Act IV, Scene iii). Here, Juliet dismisses any fear or hesitancy that may arise from the plan's risks, emphasizing her resolve to go forward with it.
Another example of Juliet's eagerness to deceive her family is when she reveals her willingness to disown her family and change her name in order to be with Romeo. She states, "And I will do it without fear or doubt, / To live an unstained wife to my sweet love" (Romeo and Juliet, Act IV, Scene iii). Juliet's determination is evident in her readiness to abandon her family and societal expectations to be with Romeo, even if it means faking her own death.
Overall, Act IV, Scene iii of Romeo and Juliet showcases Juliet's willingness to deceive her family and fake her death in her relentless pursuit of love with Romeo.