Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 4 summary
Act 1, Scene 4 of 26 · 5 min to read the scene
In Act 1, Scene 4, Romeo approaches a masked ball with Mercutio and Benvolio but resists dancing and questions whether they should attend. Mercutio dismisses dreams through his account of Queen Mab, while Romeo voices a fear of early death before choosing to proceed.
What happens
- Benvolio rejects a formal entrance speech and urges the group to dance briefly.
- Romeo asks to carry a torch instead of dancing, while Mercutio mocks his heavy sorrow over love.
- Romeo questions their plan because of a dream, prompting Mercutio to describe Queen Mab and the dreams she brings.
- Romeo interrupts Mercutio, who calls dreams products of empty imagination.
- Benvolio urges haste, and Romeo fears a fatal disaster beginning that night but leads the group onward.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Romeo and Juliet, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Empieza 90 días gratisNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
In this scene
What to notice
Romeo gives dreams authority that Mercutio denies them. This disagreement frames Romeo’s closing fear that the evening begins a fatal course.
Quick check
What does Romeo prefer to do instead of dancing?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Romeo and Juliet, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Empieza 90 días gratisNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
