Act V

By the end of Act IV, Romeo and Juliet's destiny is very precarious. With the help of Friar Laurence, Juliet is undertaking an elaborate scheme to avoid a forced marriage and reunite with her true husband. So far, the plan seems to be working as the Capulet family prepares to bury Juliet in the family tomb. Within you are rooting for things to work out, but according to the prologue, you know otherwise. However, just exactly how will the star-crossed lover meet their tragic ends? What else could possibly go wrong?

In the last act of the play, you will explore the climax and resolution, or denouement, of the play. In this topic, you will review these elements of the dramatic structure of a drama. You will also study the element of conflict in literature. Get ready to read the stirring and cathartic ending to The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

Essential Questions

• What is conflict, and why is it important in a play?
  
• What is the climax of a play?
  
• What is the resolution, or denouement of a play?