Lesson 5.2E: Act V
Think back to the Prologue. Shakespeare revealed the basic plot of Romeo and Juliet, and he emphasized very clearly that everything would be governed by fate, and the ending would be tragic. All things have conspired against Romeo and Juliet.
But wait, there's more than this. The prologue also clearly stated that the hatred between the Montague and Capulet households would also end. Romeo and Juliet falling in love, despite being enemies, is part of this, but that only accounts for two characters. Others are still caught up in this all, like Lady Capulet, who clearly wants Romeo to die as justice for murdering Tybalt.
Two big questions remain:
- How do these two “star-cross'd” lovers take their life”?
- How will the deaths of Romeo and Juliet end the “ancient grudge”?
Act V will tie together any loose threads. Shakespeare will bring all to a fitting conclusion.
Act V
 Watch the fifth Act of Romeo and Juliet (scenes 16 - 18 on the DVD “Scene Selection” menu). When you have finished watching the movie, complete your “How to View a Movie” template! You'll need it in the next section.
 Here's a quick summary of Act V:
- In Mantua, Romeo learns of Juliet's death from Balthasar, and decides to risk his own life by returning to Verona at once to see Juliet one last time.
- Romeo also buys some poison from a local Apothecary.
- Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that the letter informing Romeo that Juliet is not dead, did not reach Romeo. Friar Laurence tries again to inform Romeo of his plan and heads off to the Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will soon awaken.
- Paris mourns his bride that never was.
- Romeo arrives, opening Juliet's coffin to look at his love one last time.
- Paris fights Romeo, whom he believes is desecrating Juliet's grave. Paris dies and Romeo places him beside Juliet.
- Romeo takes his poison, kisses Juliet and dies.
- Friar Laurence arrives too late.
- Juliet now awakens, asking for her Romeo.
- Friar Laurence becomes frightened, fearing he'll be caught, and leaves.
- Juliet is alone. Juliet kisses Romeo and stabs herself, dying.
- The Prince, Capulets, and Montagues arrive. Balthasar and Friar Laurence explain it all.
- Escalus scolds the two families who have finally ended their feud.
- The play ends with the Prince summarizing this tragic love story.
"I dreamt my lady came and found me dead"
Read Act V.i and Act V.ii.
|
The focus of the final two scenes is the role coincidence or fate plays in the plot of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare reveals coincidence to us by having characters express their premonitions - foreboding hints of doom. Both Romeo and Juliet have had these premonitions, and Romeo has mentioned evil dreams.
Moral Dilemmas
Shakespeare presents to us characters with moral dilemmas in the first scene of Act V.
The first moral dilemma involves Romeo. Romeo must decide on his course of action, and that is to defy the edict of the Prince and return to Verona with his death wish. Remember, the Prince clearly said Romeo would die if he returned to Verona.
The second moral dilemma involves the Apothecary. The Apothecary faces the moral dilemma of whether or not to sell Romeo the poison he's asking for. Remember, we find out it is illegal for the Apothecary to sell - or even have - the poison Romeo wants to buy.
Think as well to Juliet in Act IV.iii and in earlier scenes. She is faced not only with the decision to marry Paris or defy her father, but also to take the potion given to her by the Friar.
Consider these two points:
- Romeo bribes the Apothecary to break the law and sell him poison. Not only is selling this poison punishable by death, but the religion of the time said that both murder and suicide were mortal sins and that those who committed them were condemned to hell.
- The Apothecary is assisting Romeo's suicide not for any moral reasons, but for money. Nonetheless, the Apothecary is assisting in a suicide.
 Death Mark’d Love
Romeo and Juliet comes to its violent and bloody end as foretold in the Prologue. The instances of foreshadowing and premonition have all pointed to this tragic conclusion. Chance, coincidence and misfortune all conspire to keep Romeo and Juliet apart in life but together forever in death. But as the Prologue stated, the hatred and strife between Capulet and Montague would end only once Romeo and Juliet died; and so it does, but at what a terrible price.
Read Act V.iii.
|
Pay close attention to the character of Friar Laurence in this scene. Where once he was strong and bold and full of optimistic hope that the marriage of Romeo and Juliet would end the feud, he has now resorted to desperate measures to save his own skin. He actually comes across as rather weak and ineffectual as the play concludes. How do you account for this change in his character?
| Discussion Prompt |
| Plays often end with some kind of resolution. In Romeo and Juliet, there may be a sense that order has been restored and civil peace re-established. |
Guidelines for contribution:
How do you interpret the ending of Romeo and Juliet? Explain your point of view on the ending, giving reasons and making reference to the play. Respond to the post of one other student, and explain if you have a similar or different understanding of the ending of the play.
Click here to create your post to the forum. |
Summary
Completing this lesson has helped you to:
- understand how the play comes to a fitting conclusion
- make informed judgments based on what you've viewed and heard
- take written text and present it in a more visual way to convey context, audience, and purpose
- understand Act V of Romeo and Juliet
Section Summary
In this section, you viewed the DVD of Romeo and Juliet, as well as read key scenes from the play from your textbook. You've learned about plot, character, imagery, and themes embedded within the play.
Review the following list to ensure you have completed all assignments for this section.
- Section Assignment 5.2A: Visual Motif
- Section Assignment 5.2B: Comprehending It All
- Section Assignment 5.2C: Talk of These Sad Things
- Section Assignment 5.2D: Journal Entries
|
