# Scene II explained — Romeo and Juliet

> Chapter companion for Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Friar Laurence learns that his letter to Romeo was not delivered due to a quarantine for pestilence. He resolves to go to the tomb alone to be with Juliet when she wakes, planning to send another message to Romeo.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Free Will

The failure of the letter due to quarantine underscores the tragic role of fate in thwarting Friar Laurence's plans.

### Death and Tragedy

Friar Laurence's grim reference to Juliet as a 'poor living corse, closed in a dead man’s tomb' foreshadows the impending tragedy.

## Character check-ins

### Friar Laurence

Anxious and regretful that his letter failed to reach Romeo, he prepares to go to the tomb alone.

### Friar John

Returns the undelivered letter to Friar Laurence, explaining he was quarantined due to pestilence.

## Key lines

> The letter was not nice but full of charge Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger.

The letter was not trivial but contained urgent and important instructions, and failing to deliver it could cause great harm.

_Friar Laurence expresses his deep concern over the undelivered letter._

> Poor living corse, closed in a dead man’s tomb!

A poor living corpse, shut inside a dead man's tomb.

_Friar Laurence laments Juliet's state, trapped alive in the Capulet tomb._

## Links

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