Scenes 1-2

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Summary of Act 5, Scene 1

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

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

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

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.

Summary of Act 5, Scene 2

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 5, Scene 2:

Failed delivery

In Scene 2, Friar Laurence asks Friar John if Romeo had replied to the letter that Friar Laurence sent to him (which informed him all about Juliet faking her death).
Friar John said that he could not deliver the letter. He said was quarantined (kept away from people to avoid spreading a disease) in a house because of a suspected outbreak of plague. He was not allowed to leave.
He tells Friar Laurence that no one could get the letter out of Verona because everyone was too scared of getting the plague.

Friar Laurence's plan

Friar Laurence realises that Romeo has no idea that Juliet has faked her death.
He worries that no one will be there to collect her from the tomb when she wakes up.
Friar Laurence decides that he will go and fetch Juliet himself. He sends Romeo another letter, telling him of a change in the plan. He asks Romeo to meet him and Juliet at Friar Laurence’s cell.
Friar Laurence has no idea that Romeo has learnt of Juliet’s 'death' and believes that it is true.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting

1.1.2Relationships

1.1.3Religion & Fate

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

3.1Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect

3.1.2Character Development

3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes

3.2Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development

3.2.2Tragic Character

3.2.3Key Quotes

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet

3.3Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation

3.3.2Key Quotes

3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse

3.4.2Benvolio

3.4.3Tybalt

3.5Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation

3.5.2Key Quotes

3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio

3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence

3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis

4Key Themes & Concepts

4.1Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves

4.1.2Friendship & Family

4.1.3Violent Love

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love

4.2Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide

4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death

4.2.3Fate & Destiny

4.2.4Gender

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery

5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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