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Romeo and Juliet Act 5Study Guide
Act V, Scene I – Mantua. A street.Vocabulary
presage – predict
apothecary – a pharmacist
meagre – scrawny, slender
penury – deprivation, neediness
1. In Romeo’s short speech at the start of this scene, find an example of foreshadowing.
2. The Friar is supposed to send a messenger to Romeo informing him of the plan and Juliet’sfake death. Who arrives in Mantua instead, and what news does he give Romeo?
3. Whattheme is this incident supporting?
4. Since it is illegal to sell poison in Mantua, Romeo has to do some convincing before the apothecary (pharmacist) agrees to sell the poison. How does Romeo convince him?
5. What does this show about Romeo’s opinion ofthe world?
6. How does this scene demonstrate the theme of the power of love?
Headlines to Summarize the Action in Act 5, Scene 1:
Write your response to Scene 1. What did you like/not like? What words or phrases really stuck out to you and why? Does something in the scene remind you of something else you’ve read or seen? What do you wonder about? What do you think will happen next? (3-5 sentences):
Act V, Scene II – Friar Lawrence’s cell.
Vocabulary
pestilence – disease
1. Why isn’t Friar John able to go to Mantua and deliver Friar Lawrence’s message toRomeo?
2. What theme does this situation support?
3. What’s Friar Lawrence’s new plan?
Headlines to Summarize the Action in Act 5, Scene 2:
Write your response to Scene 2. What did you like/not like? What words or phrases really stuck out to you and why? Does something in the scene remind you of something else you’ve read or seen? What do you wonder about? What do you think will happen next? (3-5 sentences):
Act V, Scene III – A churchyard; in it a monument belonging to the Capulets.
Vocabulary
maw – mouth (like a grave)
ensign – sign, pennant
sunder – sever, disconnect (the soul from the body)
inauspicious – unimportant
sepulchre – vault, grave
contagion – disease
restorative – successful, competent medication
ambiguities – mysteries, uncertainties
direful – horrible, awful
1. What is Paris doing at the crypt?
2. What does Romeo give to Balthasar?
3. What does Romeo tell Balthasar to do?
4. Why doesn’t Balthasar do it?
5. What metaphor does Romeo create regarding the crypt, and what is his meaning?
6. Why do Paris and Romeo fight, since Romeo really has no wish to fight anyone?
7. Although he has just fatally wounded Paris, what kind thing does Romeo do for Paris?
8. Who or what does the Friar say has thwarted all their plans?
9. With Romeo and Paris dead, Juliet wakes. How does the Friar hope to fix this mess?
10. When Juliet refuses to leave the monument, what does the Friar do?
11. What does Juliet do?
12. What has happened to Romeo’s mother?
13. The concluding lines of the play state a major theme in this play. Identify these lines, statewhat they mean and how they reflect the theme.
Headlines to Summarize the Action in Act 5, Scene 3:
Write your response to Scene 3. What did you like/not like? What words or phrases really stuck out to you and why? Does something in the scene remind you of something else you’ve read or seen? What do you wonder about? What do you think will happen next? (3-5 sentences):
Choose one of the following topics and write a well-developed paragraph below.
1. Fate:
“Our hour is marked and no one can claim a moment of life beyond what fate has predestined.” --Napoleon
“Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” --William Jennings Bryan
Which do you agree more with? What are the advantages/disadvantages of believing that fate rules life?
2. Romeo is distraught when he learns about Juliet’s death. He begs anapothecary to sell him lethal poison so that he may commit suicide.Write a newspaper article about your point of view on euthanasia, thatis, whether you feel it is an acceptable practice or not. Provide threepoints that support your belief, and be sure to title your article.
3. Friar Laurence’s plan is foiled when his message does not reach Romeo.Think about a time you or someone you know had a problem over miscommunication.Write a letter to that person explaining how the problem could have been prevented.
4. Romeo and Juliet love each other strongly enough that they cannot livewithout each other. How do you define true love? Relate something youhave seen or know about from real life that would be a good example ofwhat love is.
5. The Capulets and Montagues make peace after the deaths of Romeo andJuliet. Why do you suppose it is hard for some people to forgive others?How easy is it for you to forgive?
6. Explain your reaction to Romeo and Juliet’s suicide. Do you thinktheir suicides revealed more courage or fear? What other actions couldRomeo and Juliet have taken besides suicide? Explain.