Romeo and Juliet, Act V, Scene 2

Romeo and Juliet
Act V, Scene 2

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Friar Lawrence's cell.

Enter FRIAR JOHN

FRIAR JOHN
Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho!

Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE
FRIAR LAWRENCE
This same should be the voice of Friar John.

ACT V, Scene Two

Meanwhile, back in Verona, the scene begins outside Friar Lawrence’s front door. We are introduced to a brand new character, who is knock, knock, knocking. It is another priest, by the name of Friar John.

Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo?
Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.

The door is finally answered, and Friar John has bad news.

FRIAR JOHN
Going to find a bare-foot brother out
One of our order, to associate me,
Here in this city visiting the sick,
And finding him, the searchers of the town,
Suspecting that we both were in a house
Where the infectious pestilence did reign,
Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth;
So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.
He was supposed to deliver a letter to Romeo in Mantua, but he was unsuccessful. It seems that Friar John had stopped off at a house where someone was sick. While he was there, the local guards came and would not let anyone out. They quarantined the place, because they thought that someone in the house might have “the plague.”

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?

Friar Lawrence is concerned. He asks who delivered the letter.

FRIAR JOHN
I could not send it,--here it is again,--
Nor get a messenger to bring it thee,
So fearful were they of infection.

Friar John explains that no one did, since people were afraid of getting the dreaded plague.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood,
The letter was not nice but full of charge
Of dear import, and the neglecting it
May do much danger. Friar Lawrence explains that the letter “was not nice, but full of charge, of dear import” (lines 18-19). The letter explained the potion, of course, and included an invitation for Romeo to meet him at the grave when Juliet wakes up. He is worried about this latest complication.

Friar John, go hence;
Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight
Unto my cell.

FRIAR JOHN
Brother, I'll go and bring it thee.
Exit

Friar Lawrence instructs Friar John to “get me an iron crow.” The good man leaves, for the nearest hardware store, or perhaps a bird shop.

FRIAR LAWRENCE
Now must I to the monument alone;
Within three hours will fair Juliet wake:
She will beshrew me much that Romeo
Hath had no notice of these accidents;
But I will write again to Mantua,
And keep her at my cell till Romeo come;
Poor living corse, closed in a dead man's tomb!

Exit

As usual, Friar Lawrence has an alternative plan. He will go to the grave himself, and simply hide the girl in his cell until he can send a second letter to Romeo.

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	You can listen to some music as you read. Click on the icon above. (You can also shut if off, if you find it annoying.)
Shakespeare for Scholars:	Shakespeare for Everyone Else:
Friar Lawrence's cell. Enter FRIAR JOHN FRIAR JOHN Holy Franciscan friar! brother, ho! Enter FRIAR LAWRENCE FRIAR LAWRENCE This same should be the voice of Friar John.	ACT V, Scene Two Meanwhile, back in Verona, the scene begins outside Friar Lawrence’s front door. We are introduced to a brand new character, who is knock, knock, knocking. It is another priest, by the name of Friar John.
Welcome from Mantua: what says Romeo? Or, if his mind be writ, give me his letter.	The door is finally answered, and Friar John has bad news.
FRIAR JOHN Going to find a bare-foot brother out One of our order, to associate me, Here in this city visiting the sick, And finding him, the searchers of the town, Suspecting that we both were in a house Where the infectious pestilence did reign, Seal'd up the doors, and would not let us forth; So that my speed to Mantua there was stay'd.	He was supposed to deliver a letter to Romeo in Mantua, but he was unsuccessful. It seems that Friar John had stopped off at a house where someone was sick. While he was there, the local guards came and would not let anyone out. They quarantined the place, because they thought that someone in the house might have “the plague.”
FRIAR LAWRENCE Who bare my letter, then, to Romeo?	Friar Lawrence is concerned. He asks who delivered the letter.
FRIAR JOHN I could not send it,--here it is again,-- Nor get a messenger to bring it thee, So fearful were they of infection.	Friar John explains that no one did, since people were afraid of getting the dreaded plague.
FRIAR LAWRENCE Unhappy fortune! by my brotherhood, The letter was not nice but full of charge Of dear import, and the neglecting it May do much danger.	Friar Lawrence explains that the letter “was not nice, but full of charge, of dear import” (lines 18-19). The letter explained the potion, of course, and included an invitation for Romeo to meet him at the grave when Juliet wakes up. He is worried about this latest complication.
Friar John, go hence; Get me an iron crow, and bring it straight Unto my cell. FRIAR JOHN Brother, I'll go and bring it thee. Exit	Friar Lawrence instructs Friar John to “get me an iron crow.” The good man leaves, for the nearest hardware store, or perhaps a bird shop.
FRIAR LAWRENCE Now must I to the monument alone; Within three hours will fair Juliet wake: She will beshrew me much that Romeo Hath had no notice of these accidents; But I will write again to Mantua, And keep her at my cell till Romeo come; Poor living corse, closed in a dead man's tomb! Exit	As usual, Friar Lawrence has an alternative plan. He will go to the grave himself, and simply hide the girl in his cell until he can send a second letter to Romeo.