# Scene V explained — Romeo and Juliet

> Chapter companion for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Juliet is discovered 'dead' in her bed by the Nurse, leading to a scene of mourning from her family and Paris. Friar Laurence attempts to console them, and the wedding preparations are turned into funeral arrangements. After the family exits, a comedic exchange occurs between Peter and the musicians.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and Tragedy

The chapter is dominated by the false death of Juliet and the ensuing grief, highlighting the tragic consequences of the secret plan.

### Duality and Oxymoron

The transformation of wedding festivities into funeral rites underscores the theme of duality, as joy and sorrow are intertwined.

## Character check-ins

### Nurse

Discovers Juliet seemingly dead and raises the alarm.

### Juliet

Found 'dead' in her bed after drinking the potion.

### Lady Capulet

Grieves over Juliet's apparent death.

### Capulet

Mourns Juliet and orders the wedding preparations changed to funeral rites.

### Friar Laurence

Attempts to comfort the family and instructs them to proceed with the burial.

### Paris

Arrives for the wedding and is devastated by Juliet's apparent death.

### Peter

Engages in a witty exchange with the musicians after the family exits.

## Key lines

> Death lies on her like an untimely frost Upon the sweetest flower of all the field.

Death has settled on her like an early frost on the most beautiful flower.

_Capulet's poetic lament for Juliet's apparent death._

> All things that we ordained festival, Turn from their office to black funeral; Our instruments to melancholy bells, Our wedding cheer to a sad burial feast, Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change, Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse, And all things change them to the contrary.

Everything we prepared for a celebration is now turned to mourning; our music becomes funeral bells, our feast a burial meal, our hymns dirges, and our bridal flowers are for a corpse.

_Capulet describes the complete reversal of the wedding into a funeral._

> Then music with her silver sound With speedy help doth lend redress.

Then music with its sweet sound quickly brings relief.

_Peter quotes a song to the musicians, leading to a pun-filled argument._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/chapters