Romeo and Juliet Act V The Tragic Ending

Act V This scene takes place in Mantua, where Romeo is staying after his exile. Paris visits Juliet at the Capulet’s tomb to scatter flowers on Juliet’s grave. Before Romeo receives the news from Balthasar, Romeo is cheerful about seeing his love, Juliet.   Balthasar does not know that Juliet is in a mere coma, and tells Romeo that his lady is dead.  Romeo is devastated, and asks if Balthasar has any news from the Friar.  However, Balthasar does not, so Romeo dismisses him. 

Act V (continued) Romeo decides that he does not want to live. Town officials believe that Friar John and his companion have been exposed to the plague. Romeo does not want to live without Juliet, and says "…I will lie with thee tonight".  He sees an apothecary and asks him for a deadly drug.  Romeo finds Paris in the tomb of Juliet and they fight. Romeo kills Paris. Romeo notices that her cheeks and her lips are still crimson. Romeo’s last words, “Thus with a kiss, I die.” Juliet wakes to a dead Romeo and there is not enough potion left to kill herself so she stabs herself with Romeo’s daggar.

Act V (continued) Both Romeo and Juliet are now dead, the tragedy within Verona. In the Prince’s opinion, Capulet and Montague are responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Capulet and Montague vow to erect statues to commemorate the lives of Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet bury their parent’s strife with their deaths.