Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:


alymoemally
Student
High School - 10th Grade

Why doesn't the letter get to Romeo in Act V?

The note from Frair Laurence of Juliet's 'death'

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Posted by alymoemally on Thursday May 17, 2007 at 4:30 PM and tagged with banishment, letter, romeo, romeo and juliet.

Answers:


  1. ms-t Teacher
    High School - 10th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The note from Friar Laurence never reaches Romeo because Friar John, who was to deliver the message, was quarantined in a house because they thought he had been exposed to the plague.

    By the time that Friar John is able to relay this information to Friar Laurence, Romeo has already been told by Balthasar that Juliet has died and Romeo has returned to Verona.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo/34529

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    Posted by ms-t on Thursday May 17, 2007 at 4:42 PM

  2. wnbaballa
    wnbaballa Student
    College - Sophomore

    Friar Lawerence gave the message to Friar John, but Friar John gets caught in a delay with quarantine.

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    Posted by wnbaballa on Thursday May 17, 2007 at 6:19 PM


  3. mickey2bailey Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    In Act V, Scene 2, Friar John is not able to get to Romeo because there was suspicion of a plague and anyone who was trying to enter Mantua was quarantined.  No one would take Friar Laurence's letter from Friar John because they were afraid they might catch the plague.  Therefore, Romeo never received word that Juliet was in a deep sleep, induced by herbs, and would wake up.

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    Posted by mickey2bailey on Wednesday August 22, 2007 at 7:49 PM