Romeo and Juliet

Act Two

Prologue Romeo’s old feelings or Rosaline are dying

because of his new feelings for Juliet

Romeo loves Juliet and Juliet loves Romeo

Since Romeo and Juliet are sworn enemies the usual rules of courtship cannot apply

They must find a different (more dangerous) way to see each other

Scene One Romeo feels that he cannot leave the party

completely because his heart wants to be with Juliet, so he separates himself from Mercutio and Benvolio

Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo, but cannot find him – Mercutio makes jokes about Romeo’s love

Scene Two Famous balcony scene Romeo is in Juliet’s yard under her balcony

His soliloquy is about Juliet’s beauty and his desire to be with her

Juliet comes out onto her balcony and talks about her love for Romeo – she does not know that Romeo is there and can hear her

Scene Two Continued Juliet says, “What’s in a name? That which we

call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.”

She is wishing Romeo was not a Montague because then there would be a possibility that they could be together

Romeo makes himself known to her, and promises her his love

Scene Two Continued Juliet will not be shy like she should be

because she knows that Romeo has heard her pledge her love

However, she worries that Romeo will be discovered by someone in her family and that they will kill him

Romeo feels that he loves her so strongly that one angry look from her would be worse than dying by her relatives

Scene Two Continued Juliet believes they should wait a while

because they may not really be in love

She will send a messenger to Romeo tomorrow and if he really loves her he should send back a message saying when and where they will be married

“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow”

Scene Three Friar Lawrence is gathering plants and

describe how there is good and evil in every living thing

Romeo tells him that he has fallen in love with Juliet and he needs Friar Lawrence to marry them

“Young men’s love then lies not truly in their hearts but in their eyes.” – Friar Lawrence to Romeo about his ability to quickly forget Rosaline and fall in love with Juliet

Scene Three Continued “Women may fall when there’s not strength in

men.”

“For this alliance may so happy prove to turn your households’ rancor to pure love.”

“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.”

Scene Four Mercutio and Benvolio do not yet know about

Romeo’s love for Juliet Mercutio makes more dirty jokes about

Romeo’s ideas of love Mercutio believes joking about love is much

better than crying about love

Scene Four Continued The nurse is looking for Romeo to find out if

he is going to marry Juliet or reject her The nurse warns him to be careful with Juliet

because she is easily hurt Romeo wants Juliet to meet him to get

married that afternoon

Scene Five Juliet is impatient waiting for the nurse to tell

her what message Romeo has sent

She has permission to leave for confession, and she leaves with excitement to get married

Scene Six Romeo and Juliet meet with Friar Lawrence Juliet says, “They are but beggars that can

count their worth. But my true love is grown to such excess I cannot sum up half of my wealth.”

Friar Lawrence hopes this marriage will do good, but he still fears they are rushing into it.