Act 3 Scene 3

At the opening of the scene Friar Lawrence delivers news to Romeo that the Prince has decreed that for killing Tybalt, Romeo is to be banished. Romeo views banishment as a fate worse than death, remarking that death would be more merciful, “for exile hath more terror in his look.” To Romeo, banishment prevents him from seeing Juliet, and he regards this denial of love as a fate worse than death; he will stop at nothing to make sure they are reunited, even if this does not occur whilst they are still alive. Being united in death, in Romeo’s eyes, is better than being separated forever in life.