Star Crossed Finale Quiz
Tragic Resolution
Romeo & Juliet: Act 5 Quiz
Name:
Date:
I
The Final Players
Match the character to their specific role or action in Act 5. Write the correct letter on the line provided.
1. Balthasar
2. Friar John
3. The Apothecary
4. Count Paris
5. Prince Escalus
A. Was detained in a house due to a plague outbreak, failing to deliver a crucial letter.
B. Sold an illegal, fast-acting poison because he was desperate for money.
C. Brought the news of Juliet's "death" to Romeo in Mantua.
D. Declared that "all are punished" and brokered peace between the families.
E. Confronted Romeo at the tomb and was killed in the ensuing duel.
II
Fatal Missteps
Choose the best answer for each question below.
6. Why does Romeo believe Juliet is truly dead?
He sees her being buried in the Capulet vault.
His servant Balthasar tells him he saw her funeral.
The Prince sends an official messenger to Mantua.
7. What is Romeo's immediate reaction to the news of Juliet's death?
He "defies the stars" and resolves to kill himself by her side.
He faints and must be revived by Balthasar.
He prays for forgiveness for his past mistakes.
8. Why does Paris go to the Capulet tomb?
To check if Juliet is still breathing.
To scatter flowers and mourn his lost fiancée.
To hide from the Prince's guards.
9. What does Romeo notice about Juliet's appearance when he sees her in the tomb?
She is pale and cold as marble.
She still has color in her lips and cheeks.
She has a letter clutched in her hand.
10. How does Juliet actually die?
She drinks the remaining poison from Romeo's vial.
She kisses Romeo and the poison on his lips kills her.
She stabs herself with Romeo's dagger.
III
Reflections on Tragedy
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. Provide specific details from the text to support your answers.
11. How does the "misadventure" of Friar John illustrate the theme of Fate in Act 5?
12. Describe the final reaction of Lord Capulet and Lord Montague to their children's deaths. What do they promise to do?
13. In the final lines, Prince Escalus says, "For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo." In your opinion, who or what is most responsible for this tragedy?
"See what a scourge is laid upon your hate..."
Act 5 Assessment
Star Crossed Finale Key
Tragic Resolution
Answer Key: Romeo & Juliet Act 5
Teacher Resource
I
The Final Players
1. Balthasar: C (Brought news of Juliet's "death")
2. Friar John: A (Detained by plague, failed to deliver letter)
3. The Apothecary: B (Sold illegal poison)
4. Count Paris: E (Killed by Romeo at the tomb)
5. Prince Escalus: D (Declared peace/punishment)
II
Fatal Missteps
6. Why does Romeo believe Juliet is truly dead?
Answer: His servant Balthasar tells him he saw her funeral.
7. What is Romeo's immediate reaction to the news?
Answer: He "defies the stars" and resolves to kill himself by her side.
8. Why does Paris go to the Capulet tomb?
Answer: To scatter flowers and mourn his lost fiancée.
9. What does Romeo notice about Juliet's appearance?
Answer: She still has color in her lips and cheeks. (Dramatic irony: she is waking up)
10. How does Juliet actually die?
Answer: She stabs herself with Romeo's dagger.
III
Reflections on Tragedy
11. Fate and Friar John:
Expected Answer: Friar John’s inability to deliver the letter due to a random plague outbreak is a prime example of "cosmic irony" or Fate. It highlights that no matter how well the humans (Friar Lawrence) plan, external circumstances beyond their control lead to the tragic outcome.
12. Reaction of the Families:
Expected Answer: Capulet and Montague finally end their feud. They shake hands and promise to build gold statues of each other's children (Romeo and Juliet) to honor their memory and the price paid for peace.
13. Who is responsible?
Acceptable arguments: Friar Lawrence (bad planning/cowardice), Romeo (impulsivity), the Parents (the feud), or Fate (the "star-crossed" nature of their lives). Look for text support and logical reasoning.
Star Crossed Finale Slides
The Bitter End
Romeo and Juliet: Act 5
Scene 1: Defying the Stars
- Balthasar brings news of Juliet's "death" to Romeo in Mantua.
- Romeo's reaction: "I defy you, stars!"
- The Apothecary: Romeo buys a fast-acting poison for 40 ducats.
Discussion Point:
Why does Romeo immediately jump to suicide? Does he have any other options, or is his impulsivity his ultimate tragic flaw?
Fate Intervenes: Scene 2
Friar John returns to Verona with the letter undelivered.
Reason: He was quarantined in a house suspected of containing the bubonic plague.
"Unhappy fortune! By my brotherhood, the letter was not nice but full of charge..." — Friar Lawrence
Scene 3: Meeting at the Tomb
Paris at the Tomb
He mourns Juliet with flowers. He sees Romeo as a grave-robber.
The Duel
Romeo kills Paris. His last request is to be laid with Juliet.
"Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty."
— Romeo notices Juliet's "lifelike" appearance, but misinterprets it.
The Final Tragedy
Romeo
Drinks the poison and dies instantly beside Juliet.
Juliet
Wakes up moments too late. Refuses to leave with Friar Lawrence.
The Dagger
Juliet stabs herself with Romeo's dagger: "O happy dagger!"
The Aftermath
The families and the Prince gather at the tomb.
Lady Montague is dead from grief over Romeo's exile.
Capulet and Montague end the feud and promise golden statues.
"A glooming peace this morning with it brings..."
— Prince Escalus
