Act Two
Act 2, Scene 1: Summary
 Mercutio teases Romeo, usually while they look for
him and he purposely hides.
 Mercutio uses extended metaphor to make fun of
Romeo; he pretends to be a magician while using
sexual innuendo to try to provoke Romeo out of
hiding.
 He mainly mocks Romeo’s love for Rosaline.
 After he gets no response, he goes home to bed.
Act 2, Scene 1: Discussion
 Why would Shakespeare have Mercutio talk in this
way? What is the significance of it?
Act 2, Scene 2: Summary
 Romeo, hidden from Juliet, sees her at an upstairs
window. He compares her beauty to that of the sun,
more bright than the stars, as glorious as an angel.
 Juliet declares her love for Romeo in spite of his being
a Montague. He is perfect, regardless of name.
 When Romeo reveals himself, she fears for his safety.
 Juliet warns Romeo that her family will kill him if he is
caught there.
Act 2, Scene 2: Summary
 Juliet is embarrassed Romeo has overheard her declare
her love for him so quickly; in turn, she asks if he loves
her.
 Romeo and Juliet exchange vows of love, but both are
fearful.
 Juliet worries that their love is too quick; Romeo only
fears that what is happening is unreal – almost dream
like.
Act 2, Scene 2: Summary
 Juliet promises marriage and says she’ll send a
messenger tomorrow to speak to Romeo and figure out
the time and place of the wedding.
 They part, though reluctant. She compares him to a
captive bird who cannot escape it’s owner.
 He vows to seek Friar Lawrence’s help.
Act 2, Scene 2: Discussion
 With a partner, take a look at Juliet’s lines; what do you
notice about the way she speaks vs. the way the men in the
play speak? Compare her to not only Romeo, but others
such as Mercutio as well.
 Stage directions: stage this scene! Probably one of the most
famous scenes in all of literature, I am interested in how
you would act this out. Similar to our previous activity, put
in some stage directions here, focusing particularly on
some of the lines/sections you think are more important
than others. Also, taking this activity one step further, act it
out this time! At least some of it...
Act 2, Scene 3: Summary
 It’s early morning and Friar Lawrence is gathering
flowers and herbs.
 Notice the contrast created here: he notes that just like
people, they contain both healing medicine and
poison; good and evil.
 Friar Lawrence is afraid that Romeo has spent the
night with Rosaline and is relieved to discover he
hasn’t.
 Romeo then tells Friar about he and Juliet’s mutual
love and asks Friar to marry them.
Act 2, Scene 3: Summary
 After scolding Romeo for his fickleness about love,
Friar agrees to marry them because he truly believes
their marriage will end the family feud.
Act 2, Scene 3: Discussion
 Do you think that the Friar has made the right
decision? Why or why not?
 In lines 35-38 (my book) Friar Lawrence reveals one of
the key themes in the play: Age versus Youth. This
theme is revealed specifically as these two young lovers
are trapped in the web of hate of the older generation.
What is he saying about the young and old?
Act 2, Scene 4: Summary
 Mercutio and Benvolio are joking around about
Tybalt’s challenge sent to Romeo over his infatuation
with Rosaline.
 He is mocking Tybalt’s precise style of sword-fencing
and the current fashions of speech.
 Mercutio and Romeo joke around; Mercutio thinks
Romeo is still in love with Rosaline; Romeo tries to go
‘pun for pun’ with Mercutio, trying to outdo each
other.
 Mercutio’s joking becomes more and more sexual.
Act 2, Scene 4: Summary
 When the Nurse appears, seeking Romeo, Mercutio
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directs his sexual teasing towards her.
Mercutio sings a song mocking the Nurse full of sexual
indecencies.
She is not impressed with this and then cautions
Romeo that he better not deceive Juliet.
Romeo arranges the marriage between he and Juliet to
take place at Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon.
Romeo has arranged a rope ladder be sent to the Nurse
so he can climb into Juliet’s bedroom.
Act 2, Scene 4: Discussion
 Interesting names:
 Benvolio means “Well-wishing” (opposite to Malvolio in
Twelfth Night which meant “Ill-wishing”.
 Mercutio means ‘mercurial’: lively; effervescent; bouncy.
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It also means ‘Mercury’: messenger of the Gods; he was a
trickster, renowned for eloquence, luck, word-magic and
dreams.
What might Prince Escalus indicate about his
character/status?
Act 2, Scene 4: Discussion
 Lines -151-153: Does the Nurse take the money?
 Lines 168-172: Is the Nurse telling the truth? Use what
you know/think of the Nurse’s character up to this
point to decide if she is just telling Romeo what he
wants to hear or not.
 Why is most of this scene in prose?
Act 2, Scene 5: Summary
 Juliet opens with a soliloquy here as she is impatient
awaiting the Nurse’s return.
 She discusses the speed of love and youth versus the
slowness of the old; in this case, the Nurse’s delayed
return.
 The Nurse grumbles about aches and pains.
 The Nurse plays with Juliet until she gets frustrated at
which point Juliet discovers Romeo waits to marry her
at Friar Lawrence’s cell.
Act 2, Scene 5: Summary
 The Nurse uses a sexual joke to send Juliet off to marry
Romeo.
Act 2,Scene 5: Discussion
 In Juliet’s soliloquy, how is a sense of urgency created
by Shakespeare?
Act 2, Scene 6: Summary
 Romeo and Friar await Juliet’s arrival.
 Romeo longs for marriage but his words have an
ominous ring to them.
 The Friar advises moderation in love rather than
violent excess.
 Romeo uses elaborate language asking Juliet to provide
an ornate description of her love.
 They leave to be married.
Act 2, Scene 6: Discussion
 Shakespeare chooses not to show the wedding
ceremony as a part of the play. Why would he choose
to leave this out? Would you put it in? How would it
work?