Name______________________
PLEASE WRITE YOUR ANSWERS ON YOUR OWN SHEET OF PAPER
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet: Act V Study Questions
Scene 1
1.
Where is this scene taking place?
2.
Romeo is happy and is reminiscing about a dream he had. What part of that dream foreshadows the tragic events to come? (ll. 1-9)
3.
Who comes to tell Romeo the news of Juliet’s death?
4.
What does Romeo mean in line 34?
a.
Does he thoughtfully consider his options or does he plunge immediately into action?
5.
What is an apothecary?
6.
What is the punishment for selling poison in Mantua? (ll.66-67)
7.
How does Romeo convince the apothecary to sell him the poison? (ll.68-74)
8.
According to Romeo, what is a worse poison than what the apothecary sold him? (ll.80-82)
9.
In line 85, Romeo calls the poison a “cordial”, which is a drink believed to be good for the heart. Why do you think he refers to it in this
way?
Scene 2
1.
What prevented Friar John from delivering the letter to Romeo?
2.
Again, Fate (Fortune) has stepped in the way of this happy couple. What problems have been caused so far because Friar Laurence’s letter
never reached Romeo?
3.
Paraphrase Friar Laurence’s new course of action. (ll.23-29)
Scene 3
1.
Why is Paris at the Capulet tomb?
2.
How often does Paris want to visit Juliet in the tomb? (ll.14-17)
3.
Who is Balthasar supposed to deliver Romeo’s letter to?
a.
What do you think is written in the letter?
4.
What two reasons does Romeo give for going to the Capulet tomb? (ll.29-32)
a.
b.
5.
Even though Romeo warns him to stay away, why does Balthasar remain in the cemetery?
6.
In lines 45-48, Romeo is addressing the tomb as if it were a person that could respond. What is this called in literature?
7.
Why does Paris think Romeo has come to the Capulet tomb? (ll. 52-53)
8.
Even though Romeo has warned him, Paris continues to try to arrest Romeo. What ends up happening to Paris?
9.
What does Paris request that Romeo do for him? (ll.72-73)
10. What does Romeo realize in lines 74-78?
Name______________________
11. Romeo doesn’t realize it, but Juliet is gaining her “life” back. What comments does he make that help us to realize that she will be waking
up soon? (ll.94-96)
12. On what does Romeo blame his imminent death? (ll.111-112)
13. What does Romeo compare himself to in lines 117-118?
14. What is the first thing Juliet asks when she awakens?
15. Friar Laurence tries to get Juliet to leave quickly, stating that he will find her a place in a convent of nuns. Why is the friar so anxious to
leave?
16. When the Watchmen return the friar and Balthasar to the “scene of the crimes”, what makes them look very suspicious? (ll.199-201)
17. What other death has Montague had to deal with?
a. How/why did this person die?
18. Friar Laurence is very willing to reveal everything that happened between Romeo and Juliet and the hand he played in it all. What
punishment is he willing to take? (ll.267-269)
19. In line 295, the prince states that “All are punished.”
a. How have the Montagues and Capulets been punished?
b.
How has the prince been punished?
20. What do Montague and Capulet decide to do in honor of their children?
21. Every tragic hero has a flaw. What character had a major flaw that led to his downfall? Explain.
Quotes from Act V
1.
For never was a story of more woe/ Than this of Juliet and her Romeo. _______________
2.
O churl! drunk all, and left no friendly drop/ To help me after? I will kiss thy lips. _________
3.
The time and my intents are savage-wild,/ More fierce and more inexorable far/ Than empty tigers or the roaring sea. ______________
4.
I could not send it…/ Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,/ So fearful were they of infection. ______________
5.
I saw her laid low in her kindred’s vault/ And presently took post to tell it you./ O, pardon me for bringing these ill news….
_________________________
Time Sequence: Can you figure out what happened on each day?
Sunday:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Accidents of Fate: How has Fate (Fortune) played a role in the misfortunate events of this play? (How could it be considered the antagonist?)