Mustang Minute
October 2, 2014
Pretend you are Romeo or
Juliet. Write Romeo’s or Juliet’s
diary entry after the balcony
scene. How would you explain
what just happened? What
would you say? BE SPECIFIC!
USE YOUR BOOK AS NEEDED!
Let’s Analyze Act CHORUS
2 Prologue
Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie,
 Plot – what new plot
information do we get?
And young affection gapes to be his heir.
 Character – who is
who? character
development (what do
we learn about Romeo
and Juliet)
With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair.
 Setting – where/when
are we on the time
table
 Conflict – what conflicts
are presented
That fair for which love groaned for and
would die
Now Romeo is beloved and loves again,
Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks,
But to his foe supposed he must complain,
And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful
hooks.
Being held a foe, he may not have access
To breathe such vows as lovers use to
swear.
And she as much in love, her means much
less
To meet her new beloved anywhere.
But passion lends them power, time means,
to meet,
Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.
Let’s Discuss the Act 2 Prologue
 Why Shakespeare would insert this
prologue now?
 What would be the purpose of
essentially pausing the play to get the
audience up to speed?
 Why is Shakespeare so intent on
reminding us of the extreme opposites
taking place in the play? (love vs.
hate, danger vs. safety, passion vs.
restraint)
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 When you were
reading/listening to this
scene, what images were
going through your mind?
 Where was Romeo located?
Where is Juliet?
 What was the mood or
atmosphere of this scene?
 Do you think this scene
could have happened in a
different setting? Would it
have had the same effect?
Why or why not?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 Lines 1-32 (STOP)
 What is going on here?
 What is Juliet doing while
Romeo is speaking aloud
to himself? Can she hear
him?
 What are some examples
of Figurative Language
that Romeo uses here?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 Lines 38-49 (STOP)
 Romeo is speaking an
“aside” it’s meant only for
the audience to hear.
 Juliet doesn’t know that
Romeo is beneath her
balcony. What has Romeo
now learned about her
feelings for him?
 Line 42 – What question
does Juliet ask and how
does she answer her own
questions? What does this
mean?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
Lines 52-60 (STOP)
What’s happening
now?
Are you surprised by
Romeo’s immediate
willingness to give up
being a Montague?
Why or why not?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 Lines 62-78 (STOP)
 What complications threaten
the lover’s happiness?
 Juliet is practical and fears
that Romeo will be
murdered. What is Romeo’stone? Is he also fearful and
cautious or reckless and
elated? How do you know?
 The two lovers constantly
remind us that they prefer
death to separation. What
does this speech tell us of
Romeo’s intentions? Do you
think he is seriously thinking
of death here, or is he being
impulsive and hyperbolous?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 Lines 79-167 (STOP)
 Where does Juliet shift from
embarrassment to frankness and pleading,
to anxiety, and doubt? Why is she worried
Romeo will think poorly of her?
 Why is Juliet afraid of having Romeo swear
by the moon?
 Romeo is quick with vows and promises.
Why has Juliet now become fearful and
cautious?
 Lines 116-124: How does Shakespeare use
images of light and darkness here to hint
at dangers to come?
 Lines 131-136: What does Juliet’s response
to Romeo reveal about her character?
 Lines 139-141: How does Romeo’s words
here remind us of Mercutio and the Queen
Mab speech?
 Lines 148: What is Juliet making clear to
Romeo here? Where does she show that
she still fears he may be false with her?
What might have prompted Juliet to talk
about marriage upon her return to the
balcony?
Let’s Discuss –
Act 2 scene 2 (II.ii)– The Balcony scene
 Lines 169-189 (STOP)
 When Juliet first discovers Romeo is in her garden, she urges him
to leave for his own safety. Why does she now want him to stay?
 Line 184: What terrible even does this line foreshadow?
 Line 185: Why is parting “sweet” to Juliet?