ACT TWO SUMMARY
This "scene" contains the second and last chorus of the play. It does not add to the action. The
purpose is to summarize for the audience Romeo's transformation. He is over Rosaline and now he
loves Juliet. Romeo and Juliet will have to hide their love because of their feuding families. It is
not known whether the choruses were part of the original play by Shakespeare. They might have
been added later by someone writing down the play.
2.1
SUMMARY
After the party, Romeo sneaks into the Capulet's orchard hoping he might see Juliet. Benvolio and
Mercutio are looking for Romeo but give up because they think he does not want to be found.
ANALYSIS
Benvolio and Mercutio are unaware of Romeo's new love and make references to Rosaline in order
to attract him. This is the beginning of Romeo and Juliet hiding their love.
2.2
SUMMARY
Romeo is waiting under Juliet's window and when he sees her, yearns for her beauty. Juliet goes out
onto the balcony and, thinking she is alone, speaks. She wishes Romeo was not a Montague and that
she was not a Capulet and professes her love for Romeo. Romeo speaks out that he will be baptized
and change his name. Juliet is surprised that someone was listening to her and inquires who is
outside. Romeo answers. Juliet asks how he got there and says it is dangerous. Romeo thinks he is
invincible because of how much he loves Juliet. She becomes embarrassed because he heard her
proclaim her love for him. Romeo returns the proclamation of love. The nurse calls for Juliet a few
times. Juliet challenges Romeo's proclamation, "If that thy bent of love be honorable, thy
purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow." Romeo agrees to the marriage. They reluctantly
say goodnight although it is almost morning. Both Romeo and Juliet display childlike excitement
about their wedding.
ANALYSIS
This scene is connected to the previous scene by a rhyming couplet. The first line is Benvolio's and
the second is Romeo's. "To seek him here that means not to be found.---- He jests at scars that
never felt a wound." The connection foreshadows the haste with which the decisions and actions
occur in the scene. The sequences of events are important because had Juliet known Romeo was
listening she probably would not have been so quick to tell him she loved him. She loves him, he
loves her, and now they are getting married. Their action is "too rash, too unadvised, too
sudden." The romantic tone and the pace for the rest of the play have been set.
2.3
SUMMARY
Friar Laurence is up early gathering herbs. Romeo enters and the Friar notices that he has not slept
yet. Romeo says he wants to be married to Juliet today. The Friar thinks it is awfully sudden since
the day before he was pining over Rosaline but agrees to marry them. He has the foresight to think
their marriage might end the feud of the Montagues and Capulets.
ANALYSIS
The action is slower expressing the age of the Friar differing from the previous youthful scene of
Romeo and Juliet. The Friar is old and wise and opposes Romeo's "sudden haste." He allows the
action to be suspended and contemplated. "They stumble that run fast."
2.4
SUMMARY
Tybalt sent Romeo a challenge to duel and Benvolio and Mercutio are discussing it. Romeo enters
and he and Mercutio playfully make puns. The Nurse enters looking for Romeo. Mercutio makes
fun of her and then Mercutio and Benvolio leave. Romeo gives the Nurse the message for Juliet to
meet him at the Friar's cell to be married that afternoon. He also involves the Nurse by asking her to
get a rope ladder for him so he can sneak into Juliet's chamber that night to consummate their
marriage.
ANALYSIS
This scene sets up the driving actions of the play—Romeo and Tybalt will fight and Romeo and
Juliet will marry. The planning is mixed in with witty dialogue and comedy. It is ironic that the
most devastating conflicts of the play are discussed so candidly.
2.5
SUMMARY
Juliet is waiting for the Nurse to return with news from Romeo. When the Nurse enters she is worn
out from the journey and delays telling Juliet the message. Trying to be patient, Juliet finally learns
that she is to go to Friar Laurence's cell that evening to be married.
ANALYSIS
The action shows an impatient Juliet kept in suspense. This correlates with Romeo's haste to be
married while talking to the Friar a few scenes earlier. The Nurse, like the Friar, slows down the
pace of the action with her age and experience. Again, this contrasts the quick moving and young
Juliet.
2.6
SUMMARY
Romeo and the Friar are waiting for Juliet. The Friar warns that they may be acting too quickly.
"These violent delights have violent ends." Romeo agrees but is so happy and in love that he does
not care. Juliet arrives and they all leave to have the wedding ceremony.
ANALYSIS
This scene is very short but reminds the audience that there will be a tragedy. The shortness also
emphasizes the lovers rushing into the marriage.