Romeo & Juliet: Act V Study Questions

Romeo has been prompted to return to Verona.

S1-What actions does Balthasar's news prompt Romeo to do?

This statement refers to fate. He is going to "tempt fate" by returning to Verona where he has been banished from. His goal is to be with Juliet and he is willing to risk being captured and killed before arriving at her tomb.

S1-What does Romeo mean when he says, "Then I defy you, stars!"?

Balthasar arrives in Mantua and tells Romeo that Juliet is dead.

S1-What news does Balthasar bring Romeo?

After hearing the news from Friar John, Friar Lawrence intends to go to the tomb and wait for Juliet to wake up. After she wakes up, he will hide her in his cell (room) until Romeo arrives for her.

S2-After hearing this news from Friar John, what does Friar Laurence intend to do?

Friar John tells Friar Lawrence that he was unable to deliver the message to Romeo. According to Friar John, there was a suspected outbreak of plague and he was prevented from entering the city because he was quarantined. (Friar John was visiting the home of a sick person suspected of plague.)

S2-What does Friar John tell Friar Laurence?

Both Capulet and Montague agree to honor the memories of their children. Montague will raise a statue of gold in the likeness of Juliet and Capulet will make a statue of Romeo to lie beside her.

S3-How do Montague and Capulet plan to honor the memories of their children?

Friar Lawrence recounts the entire story of Romeo and Juliet being married, Tybalt's death occurring on the same day, banishment, and eventually the poisoning. The Friar also states that he came up with this plan in answer to Juliet's request to get out of the marriage to Paris.

S3-Relate the events that lead to Romeo and Juliet's death as they are told by Friar Laurence near the play's end.

Romeo tells Balthasar that he is going into the tomb to look at Juliet and to remove from "her dead finger a precious ring."

S3-Romeo gives Balthasar two reasons for entering the Capulet's tomb. What are those two reasons?

Romeo's letter confirms the Friar's story. In addition to retelling what the Friar had told the Prince, Romeo added the part about buying the poison from a poor pharmacist and intending to take his life to be with Juliet.

S3-What information does Romeo's letter give?

Romeo should have noticed that she still had "crimson in thine lips and in thy cheeks." When a person dies, they would appear gray and ashen in color.

S3-What is it about Juliet that should have told Romeo that she was not dead?

Juliet kisses Romeo hoping that she will be able to get the remaining poison from his lips.

S3-Why does Juliet kiss, Romeo, after he is dead?

Paris suspects that Romeo has arrived at the tomb to defile the bodies of Juliet and Tybalt.

S3-Why does Paris think that Romeo has come to the tomb?

Friar Lawrence stays in the tomb after Juliet awakens to comfort her when she realizes that Romeo is dead. He intends to escort her out of the tomb and place her in the convent for her own safety.

S3-Why doesn't Friar Laurence stay in the tomb with Juliet after she awakens?

Paris is at Juliet's grave to mourn her loss. He is placing flowers at the entrance of the tomb.

S3-Why is Paris at Juliet's tomb?