Romeo and Juliet Act II
Name __________________
Vocabulary
wild goose chase – cross country riding
tassle-gentle – male hawk
canker-worm – worm that feeds on fruit and
garbage
cheveril – kidskin, leather made from a young
goat
set cock-a-hoop – throw things into disorder
All questions must be answered in complete sentences.
Prologue
Setting the Stage
In the Middle Ages, people believed that falling in love could be dangerous. A person who fell
in love too quickly and deeply might not be able to make wise decisions. A lover who was “hit
by Cupid’s arrow” would not be able to think or act sensibly. As you read Scene 1, observe how
Mercutio describes the love-struck Romeo.
The prologue at the beginning of Act II briefly reviews the
major events in Act I. The lovers’ terrible problems are
contrasted with their sweet love.
1.
Both Romeo and Juliet have been bewitched by
each others good looks.
2. List two difficulties that the lovers face. Write the line numbers for your answers in the
column at the right.
a. They both love the enemy (ln 6 & 7)
b. Juliet is promised to Paris (ln 8)
3. According to the chorus, what will help Romeo and Juliet overcome their problems?
List two ideas in your answer.
a. Love will give them the power to overcome the
difficulties.
b. Time gives them the means to meet.
Act 2 Scene 1
At the beginning of Scene 1, Benvolio and Mercutio are searching
for Romeo. He hears their calls, but he doesn’t answer. He is
looking for Juliet. Benvolio and Mercutio believe Romeo is going
back for Rosaline
1.
Just before his friends call him, Romeo leaps
over the wall into
Capulet’s orchard.
2. Why do Mercutio and Benvolio eventually head home? Copy the line (s) that show this.
They realize that Romeo does not want to be found. “ Go
then, for tis in vain To seek him here that means not to
be found.” (ln 42-43)
Act 2 Scene 2
Setting the Stage
Juliet, like other young women from wealthy families, has been carefully prepared for courtship
and marriage. She has been trained to hide her real feelings. She also is expected to be shy
and modest with men. Only men are allowed to be bold and outgoing during courtship.
However, in scene 2, Juliet does not behave as she has been taught. Notice how her behavior is
different from what is expected of young women.
Scene 2, sometimes called the balcony scene, is very famous.
Romeo secretly enters the Capulet orchard. Juliet comes out
on her balcony alone. Romeo and Juliet then speak of their
love for each other. Before the lovers part, they will say
goodnight “a thousand times.”
1. Shakespeare uses images of light and brightness to create certain feelings. Notice how
Romeo uses these kinds of images when he talks to Juliet. Write three examples from
page 78 in which Romeo compares Juliet’s beauty to something that is light. List the line
number for each example in the column at the right.
a. Juliet is compared to the sun. (ln 2)
b. Juliet’s eyes are compared to two stars in heaven. (ln 1516)
c. The brightness of her cheeks would make the birds think
is was daylight and they would sing. (ln 19 & 22)
In line 4, what does the moon symbolize? Rosaline
2. Summarize Juliet’s famous words in lines 33-36
Juliet is talking to herself asking why Romeo is Romeo.
Why does he have to be a Montague? She is also asking him
to change his name and if he won’t she will.
3. How does Romeo respond to Juliet’s words (lines 49-51)?
Romeo says that if Juliet says she loves him he will
change his name.
4.
Romeo, who has been hiding in the orchard, calls out to Juliet. Juliet speaks to him
from her balcony. She is worried about Romeo because if
her relatives find
him there, he will be killed.
5. How does Romeo claim to have entered the Capulet’s property? Copy down the line (s)
that show this.
He claims to have stolen Cupid’s wings and flew over the wall.
“With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls.” (Ln 66)
6. Why does Juliet say “I have no joy of this contract tonight” in line 118? What are her
fears?
She cannot be happy about what has been said tonight. She
has many fears about what was said. First she fears Romeo
may be lying, second she fears she did not play hard to get
and now Romeo may not love her, and her third fear is that
they are moving too fast.
7. What does Juliet ask Romeo to do to prove his love to her?
He has to make plans to marry her. He needs to find a place
and choose a time they will be married and let her know the
next day.
8. During the balcony scene Juliet says, “What’s in a name? The thing which we call a rose
would smell just as sweet if it had any other name….Romeo, get rid of your name, and
place of that name, which isn’t part of you, take me.”
Is it only their names that separate Romeo and Juliet? If Romeo should change his name, do
you think their problems would be solved? Explain your answer.
YOUR OWN OPINION – WITH AN EXPLANATION
Act 2 Scene 3
Setting the Stage
During the Middle Ages, priests and friars filled several roles. Men of the church ran schools
and tutored wealthy children. They also helped both rich and poor people solve spiritual and
personal problems. Sometimes priests and friars even served as matchmakers.
Some friars were also herbalists. These men used plants (herbs) to try to cure illnesses. They
might also be asked to provide protection from diseases or injury in battle.
In Scene 3 you will see how the Friar serves as both an advisor and a healer. Notice how he
uses his knowledge of nature as he gives advice to Romeo.
It is dawn. Friar Lawrence is at the church. Much to his surprise,
young Romeo comes to him at this early hour.
1. What is the Friar saying about the powers of natural plants and herbs?
Plants and herbs can be used as a healing agent (something
good) or they can be used as a poison (something bad).
2.
Friar is saying that humans can be both good and evil
3. What does Romeo tell Friar Lawrence about how he spent the night? What does
Romeo ask him to do?
Romeo says that he had dinner with his enemy last night. He
then tells him about his love for Juliet and he wants him to
marry them today.
4. How does Friar Lawrence initially react to this news?
At first Friar Lawrence thinks that Romeo is not really in love
with Juliet but is in love with her looks. He also points out
how it was only yesterday that Romeo was complaining about
being in love with Rosaline and she did not return his love.
5. Why does Friar Lawrence ultimately agree to Romeo’s request?
Friar Lawrence thinks the marriage could end the families
feud.
6. The Friar warns Romeo that good things-including people-also have the power to cause
evil. Choose two characters from this play that have both good and bad qualities
(strengths and weaknesses). List their strengths and weakness.
Person
Strengths
Example:
Loving mother
Lady Montague
Kind to those who work for
her
Weaknesses
Sometimes inconsiderate of
others’ feelings
Too concerned with wealth
and social position
Character 1:
Character 2:
Act 2 Scene 4
Setting the Stage
Upper-class women in Verona were treated with courtesy. They were praised in poetry and
love ballads. Lower-class women, however, did not get this respect. Men often used vulgar
language when speaking to them. The lower-class women were simply expected to accept such
harsh treatment. In scene 4, Benvolio, Mercutio, and Romeo meet Juliet’s nurse. As you read,
notice how Romeo and his friends treat the nurse.
Mercutio and Benvolio are still searching the streets of
Verona. They cannot find Romeo. He hasn’t been seen
since Capulet’s party.
1. Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo. Mercutio believes that the letter contains
an invitation to fight.
2. How do Mercutio and Benvolio believe Romeo has spent the night?
They believe he was with Rosaline.
3. Find two examples of how Benvolio and Mercutio are rude to the Nurse. In the
chart below, write the speaker’s names and what he says. Then explain what the
speaker means. An example has been done for you.
Benvolio
Quote: “A sail, a sail!” (Line 87)
Meaning: Benvolio means that the Nurse is a large woman.
Speaker:
Mercutio
Quote: “Good Peter to hide her face, for her fan’s the fairer
face.”
Meaning: Peter, give her the fan- its better looking than her
face.
Speaker:
Quote: “An old hare hoar.”
Mercutio
Meaing: The nurse is lower class and so old she is worth
nothing.
4. What does Romeo instruct the Nurse to tell Juliet? What must the Nurse do as
well?
 He tells the Nurse to tell Juliet to come to confession
alone today and they will be married.
 The Nurse must get a rope ladder from Balthasar so
that Romeo can climb up to Juliet’s balcony for their
honeymoon.
Act 2 Scenes 5 & 6
Setting the Stage
Today a couple can be legally married without a religious ceremony. However, in
the Middle Ages only marriages performed by a clergyman were legal. A wedding
was a joyous event that was celebrated by many friends and relatives. After the
ceremony, the guests followed the couple through the streets to the home of the
bride or groom. Then a wedding feast was held that lasted into the night. Notice
how different Juliet’s wedding is from a typical ceremony of the day.
Scene 5 opens at noon in the Capulet orchard. Juliet is waiting
for her nurse to return with a message from Romeo. The
Nurse has been gone three hours and Juliet is getting worried.
1. Why doesn’t the nurse give Juliet the message immediately?
Because the Nurse is sarcastic and like to play jokes
she is teasing Juliet by withholding the message. She is
trying to build the suspense.
2. Juliet begs the Nurse to report what Romeo said. As the Nurse rambles on and
complains of her hard day, she also speaks of Romeo’s good traits. List three of
Romeo’s qualities that the Nurse admires.
1.
She thinks he is kind.
2. He is handsome.
3.
He is a virtuous man.
Act 2 Scene 6
In Scene 6, Romeo and Juliet come to Friar Lawrence’s
cell to be married.
1. What advice does Friar Lawrence give about love?
People should take love slowly. When it is rushed
through it can get messed up.
2. In Act II the Friar scolds Romeo for changing his mind so quickly. Romeo claimed he
was in love with Rosaline. Now he wants to marry Juliet. The Friar tells Romeo, “Young
men’s love lies not in their hearts but in their eyes.” What does the Friar mean?
Romeo does not fall in love with is heart, but only with
beauty.
3. Do you think Romeo is moving too quickly?
YOUR OPINION