Romeo is reunited with Juliet in the Capulet family tomb, where the story reaches its tragic conclusion.
Episode 9: A last goodbye
[Scene 1: Mantua]
Rosaline
And now we have reached the final chapter of our story. What happens next has been pieced together from the words of Friar Lawrence, Balthasar and Romeo’s letter - to his father. All I know is that Juliet lies sleeping in the family tomb, and Romeo is planning to join her.
Romeo
Well, Juliet, I will be with you tonight. Let’s see how it can be done… O, evil acts are quick to enter the minds of desperate men! I do remember an apothecary who lives near here. In his dusty shop hung bottles filled with many strange potions. (Entering the apothecary's shop) Hey, apothecary!
Apothecary
Who calls so loud?
Romeo
Let me have a drop of poison - poison that spreads so fast through blood that the worn-out person who takes it will fall down dead immediately.
Apothecary
Such deadly poisons I have. (Handing the poison to Romeo) Drink this - even if a man were as strong as twenty men it would kill him quickly.
Romeo
Come, poison. Come with me to Juliet’s grave. And there I will drink you.
[Scene 2: Friar Lawrence's church, where he meets with Friar John]
Friar John
Friar Lawrence! Hello!
Friar Lawrence
Welcome back from Mantua! What did Romeo say when you gave him my letter? Or, if he wrote, give me his letter?
Friar John
I was staying in a house outside the city walls, looking after people who were sick from the plague, and I was not allowed into the town, in case I brought the plague in with me…
Friar Lawrence
Who gave my letter to Romeo then?
Friar John
Nobody - here it is.
Friar Lawrence
This is a disaster! Now I must hurry to the Capulet family tomb. Juliet will wake soon. And I’ll need to tell her what has happened.
[Scene 3: Romeo and Balthasar approach the Capulet tomb]
Romeo
Now take this letter, and deliver it to my father early tomorrow morning. Whatever you hear or see, stay away.
[Scene 4: inside the Capulet tomb, where the sleeping Juliet is]
Romeo
O, my love, my wife! Death, that has sucked the sweet breath from you, has not had the power to ruin your beauty. Oh, here I will rest with you forever! Eyes take your last look. And lips, you doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss the deal I have made with death. Here’s to my love! Here’s to my love!
[Scene 5: Friar Lawrence approaches the Capulet tomb]
Friar Lawrence
Saint Francis guide me! How often have my old feet stumbled on grave stones tonight! Who’s there? (To Balthasar) Tell me my good friend. Whose torch is that lighting the Capulet’s tomb?
Balthasar
My master is there. Romeo.
Friar Lawrence
Fear is coming upon me. O, how much I fear something terrible has happened.
[Scene 6: inside the Capulet tomb, where Romeo lies beside Juliet]
Friar Lawrence
Romeo! Romeo! He’s pale! The lady moves.
Juliet
Oh comforting Friar! Where is my husband? I remember where I should be. And here I am. But where is my Romeo? (She sees Romeo)
Friar Lawrence
I hear some noise. Lady, come with me from this tomb. A power greater than us has ruined our plans. Come, come away! Don’t stay to ask questions. The night watchmen are in the area. We mustn't be seen here.
Juliet
Go, go away Friar, but I will not leave. What’s this? A bottle in my true love’s hand? Poison, I see, has caused his death.
Chief watchman
(From outside) There is a light in the Capulet tomb!
Juliet
What’s that noise? I need to be quick! O happy dagger - my body is your sheath!
[Scene 7: outside the Capulet tomb as the new day dawns]
Rosaline
This is the saddest of days. Everyone is devastated. The prince wants to find out the truth. Friar Lawrence will have to tell the prince everything. And Romeo’s letter to his father will also help to make things clear.
Prince
Where are these enemies? Capulet! Montague! Do you see what disasters your hate has caused? I didn’t take firm enough action to control your family feud. All are punished.
Lord Capulet
Oh Montague, brother in sorrow, give me your hand.
Prince
A sad peace is upon us this morning. The sun will not shine. Go on and talk more of these tragic events. For never was there a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
Romeo and Juliet adaptation
9. A last goodbye
NB: This episode includes sensitive issues including the suicides of both Romeo and Juliet. Teachers are advised to watch the episode before sharing with their groups to assess its suitability.
Rosaline prefaces the final episode of the story by saying that knowledge of the events about to happen have been pieced together retrospectively from the words of Friar Lawrence and Balthasar and also from a letter that Romeo writes to his father.
Romeo visits an apothecary where he buys some poison. Romeo intends to take the poison to Juliet's tomb and drink it there.
Friar Lawrence meets Friar John - the person he entrusted with the letter for Romeo. Friar John reveals that he was unable to deliver the letter to Romeo in Mantua, meaning that Romeo has no knowledge of Friar Lawrence's plan. Friar Lawrence is in a panic, and determines to rush to Juliet's tomb in the hope of catching her as she wakes and explaining what has happened.
Outside the tomb Romeo gives a letter to Balthasar, written for his father, and warns Balthasar to stay away whatever he sees or hears. Inside the tomb Romeo joins Juliet and declares 'here I will rest with you forever'. He drinks the poison and dies.
Friar Lawrence arrives and learns from Balthasar that Romeo has gone into the tomb. Friar Lawrence joins Juliet in tomb just as she wakes and sees Romeo beside her. Friar Lawrence urges her to leave the tomb with him, saying that they will be discovered by the night watch. But Juliet refuses: she takes Romeo's dagger and declares 'O happy dagger - my body is your sheath.'
Prince Escalus calls the Capulets and Montagues together, both families now united in grief. The Prince declares: 'A sad peace is upon this morning… For never was there a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.'
The adaptation is intended to be broadly suitable for upper KS2 - that is, pupils aged 9 years old and above. However, be aware that the content deals with a number of sensitive issues including deaths during street fighting and suicide. Teachers should ensure they have watched any content they intend to share with their group in order to assess its suitability.
This film is relevant for teaching English within the National Curriculum at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland and equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales.
Further resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for this series
Episode transcript
Click to download / print the episode transcript
If your students need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.
Other videos in this series
8. The deep sleep. video
The Capulet family are preparing for Juliet's wedding to Paris when she drinks the sleeping potion.
1. Two families in Verona. video
Meet the Montagues and the Capulets - two families in Verona who share an ancient feud.
2. Love arrives at a party. video
Benvolio and Mercutio take Romeo to the Capulet ball where he meets and falls in love with Juliet.
