In the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, there is a pivotal moment when Paris, a nobleman and suitor of Juliet, encounters Romeo at the tomb of the Capulet family. This encounter is fraught with tension, as Paris mistakenly believes that Romeo has come to desecrate the tomb and dishonor the deceased.
Paris, being unaware of Romeo and Juliet’s secret marriage and the events that have transpired leading up to this moment, assumes that Romeo is an enemy from the rival Montague family. The longstanding feud between the Capulets and the Montagues fuels Paris’s suspicion and animosity towards Romeo. In his eyes, Romeo’s presence at the tomb can only be interpreted as an act of disrespect and a deliberate attempt to defile the sacred resting place of Juliet and her deceased relatives.
Furthermore, Paris’s belief that Romeo has come to desecrate the tomb is reinforced by Romeo’s appearance. Balthasar, Romeo’s loyal friend, describes Romeo’s wild and distraught demeanor to Paris, causing him to be even more cautious and suspicious. Paris interprets Romeo’s disheveled appearance as a sign of malicious intent, further solidifying his conviction that Romeo is there to cause harm.
However, what Paris fails to understand is the true reason behind Romeo’s presence at the tomb. Unbeknownst to him, Romeo has learned of Juliet’s apparent death and has come to bid his final farewell to his beloved. Romeo’s intentions are pure and driven by his overwhelming love for Juliet. He hopes to see her one last time before taking his own life, unable to bear the thought of living without her.
It is important to note that Romeo’s deep affection for Juliet is evident when he first sees her in the tomb. Rather than assuming she is dead, he marvels at her beauty and questions why she appears so radiant, as if death has not yet touched her. This momentary pause, in which Romeo expresses his confusion over Juliet’s appearance, indicates that he had not expected to find her lifeless body in the tomb. This realization adds to the tragedy of the situation, as Romeo’s love for Juliet remains steadfast even in the face of death.
Paris’s misconception about Romeo’s intentions at the tomb stems from his ignorance of the true nature of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. His assumption that Romeo is there to defile the resting place of the Capulets is fueled by the longstanding feud between their families. Romeo’s appearance and his initial reaction to seeing Juliet’s seemingly lifeless body only serve to reinforce Paris’s belief. However, the truth behind Romeo’s presence is a testament to the depth of his love for Juliet, as he seeks to bid her a final farewell before tragically taking his own life.
Why Does Paris Think That Romeo Has Come To The Tomb What Does Romeo Say That Paris Should Have Listened To?
Paris thinks that Romeo has come to the tomb because he believes that Romeo, being from the rival family, intends to desecrate the tomb of Juliet. As a member of the Capulet family, Juliet’s death would be deeply significant to Paris, and he would naturally assume that someone from the Montague family, such as Romeo, might have ill intentions towards the tomb.
When Romeo discovers Juliet’s lifeless body in the tomb, he makes a comment that Paris should have listened to. Romeo remarks, “Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe / That unsubstantial death is amorous, / And that the lean abhorred monster keeps / Thee here in dark to be his paramour?” (Act 5, Scene 3). In other words, Romeo notices that Juliet still looks beautiful and alive, without the pallor of death upon her. This observation should have led Paris to realize that Juliet may not be dead after all. However, Paris is unaware of Romeo’s relationship with Juliet and only sees him as a rival from the Montague family, hence he fails to interpret Romeo’s words correctly.
What Happens When Paris Sees Romeo At The Tomb?
When Paris sees Romeo at the tomb, he initially believes that Romeo has come to desecrate the bodies inside. He confronts Romeo, unaware of the true reason for his presence. Romeo, on the other hand, is apprehensive and fearful, as he has just taken a potion that will make him appear dead. His disheveled appearance also adds to Paris’ suspicion.
Romeo tries to warn Paris to stay away, as he does not want to cause any harm. However, Paris misinterprets Romeo’s warning as a challenge and refuses to back down. The two men engage in a fight, their swords clashing in a desperate struggle.
Unfortunately, Paris is no match for Romeo’s skill, and he ends up being wounded in the fight. As a result of his injuries, Paris dies at the scene. This unexpected turn of events adds to the tragic atmosphere surrounding the tomb, where Romeo’s beloved Juliet lies supposedly lifeless.
When Paris sees Romeo at the tomb, he confronts him under the mistaken belief that Romeo intends to desecrate the bodies inside. This leads to a fight between the two men, resulting in Paris being fatally wounded and dying on the spot.
When Paris Confronts Romeo In The Tomb How Does Romeo React?
When Paris confronts Romeo in the tomb, Romeo reacts with a mixture of anger and sadness. He is already distraught over the death of his beloved Juliet and is in a highly emotional state. Romeo is not interested in engaging in a fight with Paris, but Paris insists on challenging him.
Romeo tries to reason with Paris, explaining that he is already dead inside because of Juliet’s death and has no reason to live. However, Paris insists on fighting, believing that Romeo is there to desecrate Juliet’s tomb. Despite Romeo’s attempts to avoid the confrontation, Paris draws his sword and attacks.
In the ensuing duel, Romeo manages to overpower Paris and eventually kills him. Despite his victory, Romeo feels no sense of triumph. Instead, his grief is only intensified by the violence he has had to resort to. He is devastated by the loss of both Juliet and Paris, two people who meant something to him.
Romeo then enters the tomb where Juliet lies. He is overcome by her lifeless appearance and is filled with sorrow. He delivers a long, sad speech, expressing his love for her and his despair over their tragic love story. Romeo kisses Juliet one final time, as a symbol of his undying love for her.
Feeling that he cannot go on without Juliet, Romeo decides to take his own life. He has brought a vial of poison with him for this purpose. Romeo drinks the poison, believing that death is the only way to reunite with Juliet in the afterlife. With his last breath, Romeo dies beside his beloved Juliet, completing their tragic love story.
When Paris confronts Romeo in the tomb, Romeo initially tries to avoid a fight, but is ultimately forced to defend himself. After defeating Paris, he mourns both Juliet and Paris and enters the tomb, where he delivers a heartfelt speech, kisses Juliet, and ultimately chooses to end his own life by drinking poison.
Conclusion
Romeo’s visit to the tomb of Juliet is driven by his intense love and grief for her. Paris, mistaking Romeo’s intentions, confronts him outside the tomb, which leads to a duel resulting in Paris’s death. Upon entering the tomb, Romeo is struck by the sight of Juliet’s seemingly lifeless body, yet her beauty remains intact. This contradiction confuses Romeo, who questions why death’s pale sign is not present on her. Romeo’s deep emotions and inability to comprehend Juliet’s true state ultimately drive him to take his own life. This tragic sequence of events highlights the power of love, loss, and misunderstanding, ultimately leading to the devastating conclusion of Shakespeare’s play, “Romeo and Juliet.”
