Prince Escalus banishes Romeo to Mantua in punishment for Tybalt's death. Romeo visits Juliet in secret before leaving.
Episode 6: Exile
[Scene 1: The streets of Verona]
Rosaline
Romeo, furious that Tybalt fought and killed his best friend Mercutio, has done the unthinkable. He has killed Tybalt, the cousin of Juliet, who he has secretly married. This is a disaster!
Lady Capulet
Tybalt, my nephew! Oh my brother’s child! Prince, you are a man of honour, Romeo must be punished.
Prince
Benvolio, who began this fight?
Benvolio
Tybalt was killed by Romeo’s hand. Romeo, spoke calmly and fairly to Tybalt. But Tybalt was too angry to see sense. He attacked Mercutio who fought back. Romeo stepped in to beat down their swords. But Tybalt killed Mercutio. He then returned to fight Romeo…who wanted revenge for Mercutio’s death…
Rosaline
Bless Benvolio - he’s such a loyal friend and brave. To face the prince now and to explain exactly what happened takes courage! What is the prince going to do?
Lady Capulet
I beg for justice, which only you, Prince, can give. Romeo must be punished.
Prince
Romeo killed Tybalt, Tybalt killed Mercutio. Who should pay the price for Mercutio’s life?
Montague
Not Romeo, Prince. He was Mercutio’s friend. His crime was taking justice into his own hands, by taking the life of Tybalt.
Prince
And for that offence he is banished immediately and must never return to Verona. Let Romeo leave quickly. Otherwise he will pay for it.
Rosaline
The prince does not want any more blood to be spilled. Romeo must leave Verona. What does this mean for Romeo and Juliet?They just got married. What will they do?
[Scene 2: Juliet's room]
Juliet
What news? Why are you looking so worried?
Nurse
Tybalt is dead and Romeo is banished. It was Romeo who killed Tybalt, which is why he is banished.
Juliet
Oh no! Did Romeo’s hand shed Tybalt’s blood?
Nurse
It did! It did! Unfortunately, it did! Shame on Romeo!
Rosaline
Juliet must be so confused about her feelings. She's lost a family member and it was her husband's doing. Will this change the way she feels about Romeo?
Nurse
Wait here. I’ll find Romeo and bring him to you. I know where he is. He’s hiding at Friar Lawrence’s.
Juliet
O, find him! Give him this ring and tell him to come and say a final goodbye.
Rosaline
His 'final goodbye'! After only one day, the person she has married is being sent away forever! But at least the Prince has shown some mercy in only banishing him. It could have been a worse punishment.
[Scene 3: Friar Lawrence's church]
Friar Lawrence
Romeo, come here! Come here!
Romeo
Friar Lawrence, what news? What is the Prince’s punishment?
Friar Lawrence
He has banished you from Verona. You must leave immediately.
Romeo
Banishment? That means I must leave Juliet! That makes the punishment so much worse!
Friar Lawrence
Someone is knocking. Hide in my study, Romeo - you will be arrested. (To the person knocking) Hold on a moment!Romeo hide! (To the person knocking) I’m coming! (Opening the door) Who’s knocking so hard? What do you want?
Nurse
I come from Lady Juliet. Where is Romeo?
Romeo
(Stepping forward) Nurse!
Nurse
Juliet would like to see you.
Friar Lawrence
Go to her, Romeo. But you must be careful not to be seen. (To the nurse) You go first, nurse. Tell your lady to hurry everybody else in the house to bed. Romeo will come after.
Rosaline
Oh, I do hope that the nurse and the Friar know what they’re doing! Sneaking Romeo into the Capulet house at a time like this seems very dangerous! Even if it’s the only way for our star-crossed lovers to see each other, for one last time.
[Scene 4: The balcony of Juliet's room]
Juliet
Are you leaving? It’s not daytime yet. That birdsong was a nightingale, not a lark…
Romeo
It was the lark, singing to greet the day. Not a nightingale.
Juliet
That light is not daylight; I know it. Stay longer. You don’t need to go.
Nurse
Madam! Your mother is coming to your room. The day has started. Be careful. Watch out!
Juliet
Then let the day begin and let life out.
Romeo
Goodbye! One kiss and I’ll climb down.
Juliet
Do you think we’ll ever meet again?
Romeo
I’m sure we will. When we’re older, all of these problems will just be stories we tell each other. Goodbye! Goodbye!
Rosaline
Phew. That was close! If Lady Capulet had seen him…? Doesn’t bear thinking about! And now he’s leaving Verona. Safely away from the angry Capulets…but also away from Juliet. And he leaves her heartbroken. Married in secret, cousin killed and husband exiled. I have a horrible feeling things are about to get even more complicated. Why is Juliet’s mother so keen to talk to her so early in the day…?
Romeo and Juliet animation
6. Exile
Prince Escalus asks Benvolio to explain how the fight between Romeo and Tybalt began and Benvolio gives a fair account of the deaths of both Mercutio and Tybalt. Lord and Lady Capulet argue for Romeo to be punished while Lord Montague argues for leniency. The Prince declares that Romeo is to be banished to Mantua.
The nurse breaks the news to Juliet that Romeo has killed Tybalt and Rosaline reflects on how difficult it must be for Juliet, knowing that her husband has committed such an act. The nurse says she will go to Friar Lawrence, where Romeo is hiding, and bring him to Juliet for a final farewell.
Friar Lawrence informs Romeo of the Prince's decision and Romeo laments that banishment will mean leaving Juliet. The nurse arrives to summon Romeo to the Capulet household and Rosaline worries about what will happen if Romeo is discovered.
At the Capulet house Romeo shares a brief farewell with Juliet, his departure hastened by Lady Capulet who is coming to Juliet's room. Rosaline wonders why Lady Capulet should be so eager to speak to her daughter.
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
Other videos in this series
5. Blood is spilled. video
Hot-headed Tybalt fights with Mercutio. Romeo intervenes but the fight ends in tragedy.
7. A sleeping potion. video
Juliet's parents demand she marries Paris. Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence who gives her a sleeping potion.
8. The deep sleep. video
The Capulet family are preparing for Juliet's wedding to Paris when she drinks the sleeping potion.
