In the ending scene Romeo finds out that Juliet is 'dead'. He states that he will 'defy' the stars to be with her and plans to kill himself. He buys poison from an apothecary and heads to the Capulet vault. As he enters the vault he encounters Paris who thinks he is trying to desecrate the tomb. Romeo kills Paris and then finds where Juliet's body is laid. He drinks the poison and lays beside her. Juliet wakes to find Romeo's dead body beside her. At this point the Friar arrives. He is afraid of his role in the incident being found out and tries to make Juliet leave with him. Juliet refuses and the Friar flees the scene. Griefrstricken Juliet takes Romeo's dagger and stabs herself.
The play ends with the both Montague and Capulet families vowing to end the feud. The Prince of Verona tells them that all have been punished by their hatred, even himself as Paris was his kinsman. Romeo's mother also dies of a broken heart.
WHY IS THIS SCENE IMPORTANT?
This scene is important as it helps illustrate all three main themes of the play:
Fate versus freewill
Destruction caused when passion overrides reason
Destruction caused by hate
Fate is alluded to again in the ending scene. Throughout the play their are constant references to the stars and whether humans have any control over their lives. Shakespeare questions the role of fate versus freewill. Right from the start of the play Romeo and Juliet are referred to as star-crossed lovers. It is implied that no matter what decisions they make they are destined never to be together. This prediction is realised in the ending scene where Romeo states that he will 'defy' the stars. Little does he know that in poisoning himself he is actually helping the prediction as Juliet is not actually dead. When Friar finds Romeo dead and Juliet wakening from her slumber he tells her that "a greater power" (fate) than they can control has "thwarted their intents". This reinforces the idea that it is fate who controls human destiny and not free will.
Passion overriding reason is shown by Juliets actions in this scene. Throghout the play Juliet lets reason guide her actions. However in the ending scene she is so overwhelmed by grief that she reacts impulsively, letting passion effect her decisions. Juliet dies as a result of passion overriding her reasonably nature.
The destructive nature of hate is the main theme shown by this scene. As a result of the Montague and Capulet's hatred each lose thier children. Many innocent people also die along the way including Mercutio and Paris. Romeo's mother also eventually dies of a broken heart. This scene clearly demonstrates the destruction that hate has caused to both the Montague and Capulet families and also the people of Verona. The Prince of Verona sums up the message when he states that "all are punished".
TECHNIQUES USED TO SHOW THEME IN THE ENDING SCENE:
Contrast (between characters/character change)
Dialogue
QUOTES:
"I defy you stars"
"A power greater than we can contradict hath thwarted out intents"
"Oh happy dagger, here is thy sheath"
"See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that heaven finds means to kill your joys with love. All are punished
LINKS BETWEEN START AND END SCENES:
There are two main links between the beginning and ending scenes:
The role of fate
The Capulet/Montague feud
LINK 1: THE ROLE OF FATE
START
"Star-crossed lovers"
"My mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars"
"I am fortunes fool"
END
"I defy you stars"
"A power greater than we can contradict hath thwarted out intents"
The link bewteen these references to fate reinforces the idea of the role that destiny plays in peoples lives. It helps show the view present during Shakpeares time which was that freewill does not exist. People beleived that their lives were predestined or controlled by fate. They had no control over their actions and held destiny or the stars accountable.
LINK 2: The Capulet/Montauge Feud
The play begins with an outbreak of violence between the servants of the Montague and Capulet households.
In the ending scene the play finishes with the death of a child from each household. These deaths bring about the end of the feud between the two families. It is somewhat ironic that the Friar believed Romeo and Juliet's marriage would end the feud, when in fact it was their deaths.
WHY ARE LINKS BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND END IMPORTANT?
These links are important as it brings events full circle. It causes the audience to reflect on the idea of whether they have any control over their lives and actions or whether life is predetermined by fate. Links between the beginning and ending scenes also reinforce the message that hatred can only result in destruction.
ENDING SCENE:
In the ending scene Romeo finds out that Juliet is 'dead'. He states that he will 'defy' the stars to be with her and plans to kill himself. He buys poison from an apothecary and heads to the Capulet vault. As he enters the vault he encounters Paris who thinks he is trying to desecrate the tomb. Romeo kills Paris and then finds where Juliet's body is laid. He drinks the poison and lays beside her. Juliet wakes to find Romeo's dead body beside her. At this point the Friar arrives. He is afraid of his role in the incident being found out and tries to make Juliet leave with him. Juliet refuses and the Friar flees the scene. Griefrstricken Juliet takes Romeo's dagger and stabs herself.
The play ends with the both Montague and Capulet families vowing to end the feud. The Prince of Verona tells them that all have been punished by their hatred, even himself as Paris was his kinsman. Romeo's mother also dies of a broken heart.
WHY IS THIS SCENE IMPORTANT?
This scene is important as it helps illustrate all three main themes of the play:
Fate is alluded to again in the ending scene. Throughout the play their are constant references to the stars and whether humans have any control over their lives. Shakespeare questions the role of fate versus freewill. Right from the start of the play Romeo and Juliet are referred to as star-crossed lovers. It is implied that no matter what decisions they make they are destined never to be together. This prediction is realised in the ending scene where Romeo states that he will 'defy' the stars. Little does he know that in poisoning himself he is actually helping the prediction as Juliet is not actually dead. When Friar finds Romeo dead and Juliet wakening from her slumber he tells her that "a greater power" (fate) than they can control has "thwarted their intents". This reinforces the idea that it is fate who controls human destiny and not free will.
Passion overriding reason is shown by Juliets actions in this scene. Throghout the play Juliet lets reason guide her actions. However in the ending scene she is so overwhelmed by grief that she reacts impulsively, letting passion effect her decisions. Juliet dies as a result of passion overriding her reasonably nature.
The destructive nature of hate is the main theme shown by this scene. As a result of the Montague and Capulet's hatred each lose thier children. Many innocent people also die along the way including Mercutio and Paris. Romeo's mother also eventually dies of a broken heart. This scene clearly demonstrates the destruction that hate has caused to both the Montague and Capulet families and also the people of Verona. The Prince of Verona sums up the message when he states that "all are punished".
TECHNIQUES USED TO SHOW THEME IN THE ENDING SCENE:
QUOTES:
LINKS BETWEEN START AND END SCENES:
There are two main links between the beginning and ending scenes:
LINK 1: THE ROLE OF FATE
START
- "Star-crossed lovers"
- "My mind misgives some consequence yet hanging in the stars"
- "I am fortunes fool"
ENDThe link bewteen these references to fate reinforces the idea of the role that destiny plays in peoples lives. It helps show the view present during Shakpeares time which was that freewill does not exist. People beleived that their lives were predestined or controlled by fate. They had no control over their actions and held destiny or the stars accountable.
LINK 2: The Capulet/Montauge Feud
The play begins with an outbreak of violence between the servants of the Montague and Capulet households.
In the ending scene the play finishes with the death of a child from each household. These deaths bring about the end of the feud between the two families. It is somewhat ironic that the Friar believed Romeo and Juliet's marriage would end the feud, when in fact it was their deaths.
WHY ARE LINKS BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND END IMPORTANT?
These links are important as it brings events full circle. It causes the audience to reflect on the idea of whether they have any control over their lives and actions or whether life is predetermined by fate. Links between the beginning and ending scenes also reinforce the message that hatred can only result in destruction.