What is foreshadowing for act 5 scene 1 line 5 in romeo and Juliet?

Answer 1

In this very short scene Friar Laurence does make some statements about the future: "The letter was not nice, but full of charge of dear import, and the neglecting it may do some damage." and "Within this three hours will fair Juliet wake; she will beshrew me much that Romeo hath had no notice of these accidents." The second of these contains a prediction, but an inaccurate one: Juliet will not complain about Romeo's lack of notice. It can hardly be called foreshadowing. As for the rest, if the audience has been following, they will have already seen that neglecting the delivery of the letter has done some damage in the previous scene. If it has already been shown to the audience it cannot be foreshadowing. They will also know that Juliet is to wake up soon, although they have not actually seen it. Foreshadowing is when the writer hints at an unknown or unexpected future plot development, and there is none of that here. Your instructor may have the mistaken idea that any statement about what is to happen in the future is foreshadowing, but that is not correct. Indeed, why would Shakespeare employ foreshadowing in an extremely short and practical scene (its purpose is to explain the arrival of the Friar at the tomb) which is the second-last scene in the entire play? A minute later all will reach its conclusion.

Answer 2

In Act 5, Scene 1, line 5 of "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo mentions having had a dream that forebodes their future, hinting at the tragic events to come. This foreshadows the ultimate fate of the two lovers and the sorrowful turn of events that will unfold.