Moment 10: Restoration of order

Question 1

“We still have known thee for a holy man.” (Prince, 5.3)

Answer 1

The Prince acknowledges Friar Laurence’s good intentions despite his role in the tragedy. Shakespeare presents the Friar as a figure of failed wisdom—his actions were meant to heal the feud.

Question 2

“O brother Montague, give me thy hand.” (Capulet, 5.3)

Answer 2

Capulet’s use of “brother” signals the long-awaited reconciliation between the families. The physical gesture of the handshake contrasts with the violent clashes that have defined their past. The moment is bittersweet, as it arrives too late to save Romeo and Juliet.

Feuds between noble families were common in Shakespeare’s time, often leading to violence.

Question 3

“For I will raise her statue in pure gold.” (Montague, 5.3)

Answer 3

Mirrors Renaissance beliefs in commemorating the dead through grand gestures. Shakespeare subtly critiques the aristocracy—gold statues cannot replace genuine human connection, reinforcing the play’s tragic irony.

In Renaissance society, grand monuments were often built to honor the dead.

Question 4

“For never was a story of more woe / Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” (Prince, 5.3)

Answer 4

Rhyming couplets give a sense of closure. The inversion of “Juliet and her Romeo” subtly prioritizes Juliet, reflecting her growth throughout the play.