2.6.1

Scene 1

Test yourself on Scene 1

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Summary of Act 5, Scene 1

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 5, Scene 1:

News of Juliet's death

News of Juliet's death

  • In Scene 1, Romeo is quite happy as he mentions a dream he had the night before. In the dream, he was dead and Juliet found him and kissed him – the kiss gave him new life.
  • A Montague servant, Balthazar, comes to Romeo from Verona. He tells Romeo that Juliet was found dead this morning.
  • Romeo hasn’t received the letter from Friar Laurence (telling him the plan). So Romeo is completely heartbroken about Juliet’s death.
Romeo's plan

Romeo's plan

  • He plans to return to Verona that evening so he can lay with Juliet again.
  • But he feels that he cannot live without her – he goes to an apothecary (a person who sold drugs and magic in the past) and buys some poison.
    • Poison is illegal (and sellers can be put to death), but Romeo tells the man that he has no choice but to sell it because he is too poor to refuse.
  • Romeo gets the poison and heads to Juliet’s tomb. He plans to lay next to her and use the poison to kill himself so that he does not have to live without her.

Key Quote - Act 5, Scene 1

In Act 5, Scene 1, Romeo says: 'Nothing can be ill, if she be well.' Here's an analysis of this key quote:

Obsession

Obsession

  • Even while exiled, Romeo is completely obsessed with his love for Juliet.
  • He feels that everything in life will eventually be alright as long as Juliet is ok.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting1.1.2Relationships1.1.3Religion & Fate1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context1.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era1.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Prologue

2.1.1Prologue
2.2

Act 1

2.2.1Scene 12.2.2Scene 1 Quotes2.2.3Scene 22.2.4Scene 32.2.5Scene 42.2.6Scene 52.2.7End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1
2.3

Act 2

2.3.1Scenes 1-22.3.2Scene 32.3.3Scene 42.3.4Scenes 5-62.3.5End of Topic Test - Act 2
2.4

Act 3

2.4.1Scene 12.4.2Scene 22.4.3Scenes 3-42.4.4Scene 52.4.5End of Topic Test - Act 3
2.5

Act 4

2.5.1Scene 12.5.2Scenes 2-32.5.3Scenes 4-5
2.6

Act 5

2.6.1Scene 12.6.2Scene 22.6.3Scene 32.6.4Scene 3 - Quotes2.6.5End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 52.6.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs2.6.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed2.6.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths
3

Key Characters

3.1

Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect3.1.2Character Development3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age3.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety
3.2

Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development3.2.2Tragic Character3.2.3Key Quotes3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet3.2.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?3.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets
3.3

Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation3.3.2Key Quotes
3.4

The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse3.4.2Benvolio3.4.3Tybalt
3.5

Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation3.5.2Key Quotes3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence3.5.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?
3.6

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis
4

Key Themes & Concepts

4.1

Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves4.1.2Friendship & Family4.1.3Violent Love4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love
4.2

Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death4.2.3Fate & Destiny4.2.4Gender4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques5.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Main Quotes by Act

6.1.1Act 16.1.2Act 26.1.3Act 36.1.4Act 46.1.5Act 5
6.2

Main Quotes by Character

6.2.1Romeo6.2.2Juliet6.2.3Mercutio6.2.4Friar Laurence6.2.5Nurse6.2.6Benvolio6.2.7Tybalt

Practice questions on Scene 1

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Summary Act 5, Scene 1Put in order
  2. 2
    What happened in Romeo's dream in Act 5, Scene 1?True / false
  3. 3
    What does Romeo do when he is told about Juliet's death in Act 5, Scene 1?Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Why does Romeo not know about Juliet and Friar Laurence's plan in Act 5, Scene 1?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What is an apothecary?Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Scene 1

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Scenes 4-5

Scene 2