The act opens with Romeo and Juliet's secret marriage, which is a source of great joy for the two lovers. However, their happiness is short-lived, as Romeo is soon banished from Verona for killing Tybalt in a fight. This news is devastating for Juliet, who cannot imagine life without her husband.
Juliet's despair is further compounded when her father, Lord Capulet, arranges for her to marry Paris, a wealthy and powerful nobleman. Juliet is horrified by the prospect of marrying someone she does not love, and she begs her father to let her stay with Romeo. However, her father is unmoved, and Juliet is forced to agree to the marriage.
As Juliet's wedding day approaches, her sense of foreboding grows stronger. She feels that her life is spiraling out of control, and she is convinced that she will never see Romeo again. In a moment of desperation, Juliet decides to drink a sleeping potion that will make her appear dead. She hopes that Romeo will find her and rescue her before she is buried alive.
However, Juliet's plan does not go as expected. Romeo arrives in Verona too late, and he finds Juliet lying lifeless in the tomb. Believing that Juliet is dead, Romeo drinks a vial of poison and dies. When Juliet wakes up, she is devastated to find Romeo dead by her side. She stabs herself with Romeo's dagger and dies.
The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are the culmination of the tragic events that have unfolded in Act IV. Their deaths are a reminder of the power of fate and the fragility of love. The subtext of Act IV is a warning that even the most beautiful love stories can end in tragedy.