Shakespeare in Love Scene 21 Summary

  • The nurse calls for Juliet, and Viola takes the stage.
  • Gasp. A woman on the stage. Everyone is in shock.
  • Wessex, too, watches with surprise.
  • And Will admires Viola from backstage, his face beaming with happiness.
  • The play continues. You know how it goes. Mercutio dies in a duel.
  • Will, as Romeo, battles Tybalt and slays him.
  • Will and Viola perform Romeo and Juliet's final scene together before the big double suicide finally.
  • The friar presents the sleeping potion to Juliet.
  • And Romeo visits the apothecary, played by Fennyman, who takes his role very seriously.
  • He presents Romeo with a poison.
  • Cut to Romeo thinking Juliet is dead and drinking his poison.
  • He dies and there isn't a dry eye in the house.
  • Suddenly, Juliet sits up, and the audience gasps.
  • She finds Romeo dead.
  • She takes Romeo's dagger and stabs herself.
  • The narrator closes the play. "For never was a story of more woe" (than fans of Saving Private Ryan when this film won Best Picture instead.)
  • After a pregnant pause, the audience erupts into cheers and applause.