Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Summary

Elizabeth Sonnet

14 line poem that follows an ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG(rhyming couplut) pattern.

Prologue:

Romeo’s love for Rosaline is gone and she can’t compare to Juliet. He loves her even though they are foes. While Romeo has the freedom to roam the city, Juliet cannot leave unless she has someone with her.

Scene 1:

Romeo left Benvolio and Mercutio without telling them where he was going. Benvolio and Mercutio call out for him. While calling out for him Mercutio makes fun of Romeo and reveals that he doesn’t believe in love. They both give up searching for him and leave to go to bed.

Scene 2:

Romeo is watching Juliet from below her balcony. Says that his love for Juliet killed his love for Rosaline. He sees her on her balcony. He wants to talk to her but she can’t hear him. He is in awe of Juliet. He hears her speak and wants her to speak again. Juliet says why do you have to be a montague. Juliet says give up your last name and I will give up mine, so that they can be together. Romeo says that he would give up his name for her, Juliet hears this and asks who is there. Romeo speaks but doesn't reveal himself, but Juliet recognizes his voice. She asks him why he is here because if her family catches him, then he will be doomed. Romeo says he is willing to risk his life for her love. Romeo says that Juliet’s love protects him. He says that without Juliet’s love he wants to die. He also says that Cupid led him to her balcony. Juliet then says that she loves Romeo and will prove that she loves him. Romeo swears on the moon that he loves her, but Juliet says she can’t accept that since the moon is always changing. She tells him to swear on his life. Juliet says that he is moving too fast and that she doesn’t want to get married tonight. Juliet says that her love for Romeo is so deep. The nurse calls for her, so she goes inside and tells Romeo to wait outside for her. Romeo is afraid that it is too good to be true. Juliet tells Romeo that she can find someone to marry them. The nurse keeps calling Juliet. Juliet tells Romeo that she will send the nurse tomorrow to figure out a plan. They say goodnight to each other and Romeo tells Juliet that he will go to the Friar and ask him to marry them.

Scene 3:

We see the Friar, who knows a lot about medicine. He says how some plants can be used for good and bad, like humans can, while examining a flower. He foreshadows that Tylbat and Mercutio will die if they can’t be calm. Romeo enters and says hello. Friar wonders why he is here so early and then realizes that Romeo did not go to bed last night. Friar wonders if Romeo was with Rosaline, but Romeo tells him that he does not love her anymore. Romeo tells him that he loves his enemy Juliet. Romeo asks the Friar to marry them. The Friar tells Romeo that he is moving too fast and he just loved Rosaline yesterday. He tells Romeo that his tears of sadness from Rosaline are not even gone yet. Romeo then says that the Friar yelled at him for loving Rosaline, Romeo says that he loves Juliet now. The Friar agrees to marry them just to end the family feud. He then warns Romeo to slow down, don’t rush into it warning him that he is being too impulsive.

Scene 4:

Mercutio and Benvolio tease Romeo, who sends secret messages to Juliet through her nurse. Benvolio and Mercutio wonder where Romeo has been, they also tell him that Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo. Mercutio says that it is a challenge to a fight. Romeo enters and they talk about the fight. The Nurse then enters and Mercutio makes fun of her. Romeo tells the Nurse to tell Juliet to come to Friar Lawerence so they can get married. The Nurse leaves to go tell Juliet.

Scene 5:

The nurse gives Juliet the good news. Juliet waits for the Nurse to return. The Nurse tells Juliet that she is tired and to leave her alone. Juliet asks her what Romeo said, but the Nurse keeps saying that she is too tired. Juliet asks again and the Nurse says Romeo is handsome. Juliet then asks what Romeo said about the marriage, but the Nurse says she has a headache. The Nurse asks where Juliet’s mother is, to make sure she doesn’t see Juliet leaving to go get married. The Nurse then tells Juliet to go to the Friar to get married.

Scene 6:

Romeo and Juliet can hardly wait for the marriage to be official. Romeo asks the Friar to marry them. The Friar then foreshadows Romeo and Juliet’s death. Juliet then enters and her and Romeo kiss. They then go into the church to get married. Starting the next act they are married.