Romeo and Juliet · Chapter
Scene V explained
In the early morning, Romeo and Juliet part after their wedding night, arguing whether it is the lark or nightingale.
What happens
In the early morning, Romeo and Juliet part after their wedding night, arguing whether it is the lark or nightingale. Juliet has a premonition of Romeo's death. Later, Lady Capulet tells Juliet she must marry Paris, and Juliet refuses. Capulet rages and threatens to disown her. The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, leading Juliet to feign agreement and go to Friar Laurence for help.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Impulse
Romeo and Juliet's passionate farewell and Juliet's desperate plan highlight impulsive love.
Family Feud and Conflict
Capulet's violent reaction to Juliet's refusal underscores the family strife.
Fate and Free Will
Juliet's premonition of Romeo's death and her decision to seek Friar Laurence reflect the tension between fate and choice.
Characters to notice
- Romeo
Parts from Juliet at dawn, banished to Mantua.
- Juliet
Argues with parents about Paris, seeks Friar Laurence's counsel.
- Capulet
Rages at Juliet's refusal to marry Paris, threatens to disown her.
- Lady Capulet
Informs Juliet of the arranged marriage to Paris, then abandons her.
- Nurse
Advises Juliet to marry Paris, betraying her earlier support of Romeo.
Key passages
“Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day: It was the nightingale, and not the lark, That pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear;”
Do you have to leave? It's not yet morning; that bird was the nightingale, not the lark.
Juliet tries to delay Romeo's departure by pretending it is still night.
“It was the lark, the herald of the morn, No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east:”
That was the lark, announcing dawn, not the nightingale. See the jealous streaks of light in the eastern sky.
Romeo insists it is morning and he must leave to avoid death.
“O God, I have an ill-divining soul! Methinks I see thee, now thou art below, As one dead in the bottom of a tomb:”
Oh God, I have a fearful feeling! I see you down there as if you were dead in a tomb.
Juliet has a premonition of Romeo's death.
“I'll send to one in Mantua, Where that same banish'd runagate doth live, Shall give him such an unaccustom'd dram, That he shall soon keep Tybalt company:”
I'll send someone to Mantua to poison Romeo so he can join Tybalt in death.
Lady Capulet plots to kill Romeo.
“But, an you will not wed, I'll pardon you: Graze where you will, you shall not house with me: Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest.”
If you won't marry, I'll disown you: go live wherever you like, but not in my house. Consider this; I am not joking.
Capulet threatens to disown Juliet if she refuses Paris.
“Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend! Is it more sin to wish me thus forsworn, Or to dispraise my lord with that same tongue Which she hath praised him with above compare So many thousand times?”
You old devil! Is it worse to make me break my vows or to insult my husband with the same tongue that praised him so many times?
Juliet condemns the Nurse for betraying Romeo.
