Act 5 · Romeo and Juliet

Copywork

How oft when men are at the point of deathHave they been merry! Which their keepers callA lightning before death. O, how may ICall this a lightning? O my love, my wife,Death that hath suck’d the honey of thy breath,Hath had no power yet upon thy beauty.Thou art not conquer’d. Beauty’s ensign yetIs crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,And death’s pale flag is not advanced there.

Romeo says this while looking at Juliet, who is alive. Read your copy aloud and mark the words that belong to a battle: "ensign", "flag", "conquer’d", "advanced". What does it do to the moment that Romeo describes the living colour in her face as a banner?

Discussion

Narration Retell Act V in order, from Romeo's dream in Mantua to the Prince's last words.

Romeo opens the last act cheerful, sure his dreams “presage some joyful news.” Why might Shakespeare start the act with a happy Romeo? Author's choice
Romeo asks Balthasar for the Friar's letter before he hears the news and again after, then says “No matter.” What do you make of that “No matter”? Character
The apothecary says “My poverty, but not my will consents.” Romeo answers, “I pay thy poverty, and not thy will.” Who is more responsible for this sale, the seller or the buyer? Moral reasoning
Friar John's report comes between Romeo buying the poison and Romeo reaching the tomb. Why might Shakespeare put it there? Plot structure
Romeo sees “crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks,” then asks whether “unsubstantial death is amorous.” Why does he reach for that explanation? Inference
The Prince says “All are punish’d.” Is “punish’d” the right word for what has happened to the families, and to Romeo and Juliet? Theme

Make a Connection Tell about a time important news reached someone late, or not at all.

Vocabulary

ensign: Thou art not conquer’d. Beauty’s ensign yet Is crimson in thy lips and in thy cheeks, a banner or flag carried as a sign
conquer’d: Thou art not conquer’d. Beauty’s ensign yet defeated and taken
presage: My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. to be a sign of what is coming
misadventure: Your looks are pale and wild, and do import Some misadventure. an unlucky accident
penury: Noting this penury, to myself I said, extreme poverty
inexorable: More fierce and more inexorable far Than empty tigers or the roaring sea. impossible to turn aside or soften
apprehend: Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee. to arrest, to seize by law
ambiguities: Till we can clear these ambiguities, things that can be read more than one way
scourge: See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, a whip; a punishment sent as affliction

Critical thinking

Romeo warns Paris, “tempt not a desperate man”; Paris answers, “I do defy thy conjuration.” Write a thesis on what each thinks he is doing. Use a line from each, answer one objection, and revise.
At the inquest the Friar says his messenger “Was stay’d by accident” and that Juliet, “too desperate, would not go with me.” Write a thesis on how he tells his own part. Use two of his lines, answer one objection, and revise.
Juliet finds a cup in Romeo's hand, kisses him, says “Thy lips are warm!”, hears the Watch and stabs herself. Write a thesis on what Shakespeare does with the pace of these few lines. Use two lines, answer one objection, and revise.