No Response from Romeo

Act 5, scene 2
While I was in my chamber, I heard Friar John call my name. As he called me, I expected to hear a joyous and exuberant response from Romeo saying he is coming soon. Friar John then told me news that gave me a pit in my stomach. He told me that he went to get another friar who was visiting the sick to accompany to Mantua. But as he found the other friar, the town officials accused them of being members of the family that had been hit with the plague. The officials quarantined the house and sealed the doors and windows, refusing to let them out. He then handed me the note I wrote to Romeo and said he was never able to deliver it. As Friar John said this I could feel my stomach drop. I felt sick. I began thinking about Juliet waking up in the tomb with all of her dead relatives, expecting Romeo to be there and then realizing he's not and that she is alone in her family tomb. I told him how important it was; I explained to him that it was more than just a friendly greeting, but it was a letter with important information in it that must be delivered to Romeo. I then told him to go fetch me a crowbar. I have no other option but to go to the tomb myself.

I cannot believe this situation. In about three hours, Juliet will wake up and realize that Romeo has not come and she will be infuriated with me. I am not particularly worried about Juliet being angry with me, but I feel guilty for getting her hopes up so much and then having her wake up and realize none of it has come true. I then decided that I would go get Juliet myself, explain what happened with Friar John trying to deliver the letter to Romeo, and keep her hidden in my cell until Romeo is able to come take her to Mantua. Hopefully this new plan will be end any future adversities for these lovers.

Exiled a.k.a. the End of the World

Act 3, scene 3
I came into my cell this morning and Romeo was there, awaiting to hear his punishment for killing Tybalt. Scared, he asked me what punishment the Prince had sentenced him. I told him that he is to be exiled forever and if he is ever found inside the walls of Verona again, he is to be killed. I thought he would be happy about this punishment because, normally, he would immediately be put to death, but he instead began to cry. He told me that he being put to death would be more merciful than to banish him from Verona. He claims he would rather die than be separated from Juliet. I should have slapped him; he was not thinking straight because he did not realize the mercy he had received. He believes that he cannot live without this girl and so he begins to torture himself with horrible thoughts such as

"Then 'banishéd'
Is death mistermed. Calling death 'banishéd'
Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden ax
And smilest upon the stroke that murders me." (3.3.21-24).

He did not even consider the fact that his family, friends, and even Juliet can come visit him; being exiled is better than being killed. I told him how philosophy could protect him from the word "banished" but he continued to be stubborn and only look at the negatives of this punishment. He then told me that because I am not young or married an hour ago and kill my wife's cousin and get banished, I can neither understand nor give advice about his situation.

Then nurse knocked on the door and came inside looking for Romeo. She told Romeo how Juliet, too, weeps because of Tybalt's death and because of Romeo's exile. Hearing this, Romeo pulls out a dagger and was about to stab himself in front of me and the Nurse. I told him how weak he was acting; he was acting out of desperation. He was about to kill himself because he is being exiled out of mercy. He might as well have been put to death because he is acting so ungrateful for the Prince's mercy. He was complaining about his birth, the heavens and the earth. He was only thinking about himself; he did not consider how devastated Juliet would be if he committed suicide after being relieved from the death penalty. He was almost killed by Tybalt earlier for her and he survived but then decides to kill himself instead of being grateful for being alive. I told him to stop whining about his problems because those that whine and complain die miserably. I told him to go to Juliet's room to comfort her and then to escape the town of Mauntua until his marriage can be made public. I remembered that the whole reason I married these two children was to make peace between these feuding families. I refuse to give up on this idea because I know it could work if it is announced at the right time. If I tell their parents, it could make things much worse because I do not trust their parents' decisions and I think this situation will be safer and calmer in my hands. Being closer to God, I just feel like I can handle this better than their parents would. After all, everything is safer in God's hands.