Romeo and Juliet act 2

Identified Question

Romeo UND Juliet Act 2 Scene 1:

1. What does the Act 2 Prologue say happened to Romeo’s love for Rosaline? How is this an example of foreshadowing?

2. What does Romeo mean by "dull earth"in Scene 1, line 2?

3. Who does Mercutio think that Romeo is in love with in his speech in Scene 1, lines 6-21? What’s funny about these lines? Scene 2:

4. When Romeo says,“He jests at scars that never felt a wound,” what does he mean?

5. What does Romeo compare Juliet to in his first speech in Sc. 2, lines 2-3?

6. In your own words, rewrite Juliet’s speech in Scene 2, lines 33-36. Go line by-line as you restate her meaning.

7. When Juliet says,“That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet,” what does she mean? Do names matter in our lives?If you had a different first name, do you think you might have grown up to be a slightly different person?

8. In your own words, translate Juliet’s meaning in lines 95-101. Why do other young lovers,both then and now, play such games?

9. Why does Juliet ask Romeo not to swear his love’s allegiance by the moon?

10. Which one is the first to mention marriage? What does this show us about this character?

11. What does Juliet instruct Romeo to send her the next day?

12. Look at lines What do these lines literally mean? Then, explain how this bit of text is an example of foreshadowing. Scene 3:

13. At the beginning of Scene 3, what is Friar Laurence doing?

14. According to the Friar, how are humans like plants?

15. With whom does Friar Laurence assume Romeo has spent the night?

16. In lines the Friar says, “O,she knew well / Thy love did read by rote and could not spell.” Explain what he means here.

17. Why does the Friar begrudgingly agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? Scene 4:

18. Who are Laura , Dido, Cleopatra, Helen, and Hero? What does Mercutio say about them?

19. Write down three subjects Mercutio and Romeo make puns about in Scene 4, lines 44-70.

20. Describe the way Mercutio treats the Nurse.

21. What instructions does Romeo tell the Nurse to pass on to Juliet?

22. Who does the Nurse say also wants to marry Juliet? What does she say Juliet’s feelings are for this other suitor? Scene 5

23. What time of day is it?

24. How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to find Romeo?

25. What’s humorous about the way the Nurse treats Juliet in this scene? Romeo UND Juliet Act 2 Scene 6

26. Is Romeo fearful of the future? Write down the lines that support your answer.

27. In your own words, explain the Friar’s warning in these lines: “These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die like fire and powder, Which, as they kiss,consume.”

28. In your own words, explain the Friar’s message in these lines: “Therefore love moderately; long love doth so: Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.”

29. What happens at the very end of this scene?

Answer

Act 2, Scene 1:

1. Prologue’s Mention of Romeo’s Love for Rosaline: The Act 2 Prologue states that Romeo’s love for Rosaline is dead and buried, as he has fallen in love with Juliet. This foreshadows the shift in Romeo’s affections and sets the stage for the intense and tragic love story between Romeo and Juliet.

2. "Dull Earth" Meaning: In Scene 1, line 2, when Romeo refers to “dull earth,” he is speaking metaphorically about his own body, which feels lifeless without Juliet, who is his soul.

3. Mercutio’s Assumption About Romeo’s Love: Mercutio believes Romeo is still in love with Rosaline. The humor lies in the fact that Mercutio is unaware of Romeo’s newfound love for Juliet, making his comments ironic and out of touch with reality.

Scene 2:

1. "He jests at scars that never felt a wound": Romeo means that Mercutio can joke about love because he has never been truly hurt by it.

2. Romeo’s Comparison of Juliet: In his first speech, Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, suggesting she is bright, beautiful, and life-giving.

3. Juliet’s Speech (Lines 33-36) Rewritten:

   • Line 33: Why do you have to be Romeo?

   • Line 34: Deny your family name and refuse your father.

   • Line 35: Or if you won’t, just swear you love me,

   • Line 36: And I’ll stop being a Capulet.

4. "A rose by any other name": Juliet means that names themselves don’t matter; it’s the essence of a person or thing that counts. Names can influence our identity, but they don’t define us entirely. A different name might lead to different experiences, potentially shaping personality differently.

5. Juliet’s Meaning (Lines 95-101): Juliet is expressing her concern about how quickly their relationship is progressing and the seriousness of their vows. Young lovers often play such games due to the excitement and intensity of new love, which can lead to impulsive actions.

6. Juliet’s Request About Swearing by the Moon: Juliet asks Romeo not to swear by the moon because it is inconsistent and changes, symbolizing an unstable promise.

7. First Mention of Marriage: Juliet is the first to mention marriage, showing her practical nature and desire for commitment despite the whirlwind romance.

8. Juliet’s Instruction to Romeo: Juliet instructs Romeo to send word about where and when they will be married.

9. Lines 182-184 Explanation: These lines mean that parting is sorrowful, but the anticipation of seeing each other again brings sweetness. This foreshadows the bittersweet nature of their relationship, filled with both joy and impending tragedy.

Scene 3:

1. Friar Laurence’s Activity: At the beginning of Scene 3, Friar Laurence is gathering herbs and plants.

2. Humans Like Plants: Friar Laurence explains that humans, like plants, have both good and bad qualities, and the potential for both healing and harm.

3. Friar’s Assumption About Romeo: Friar Laurence assumes Romeo has spent the night with Rosaline.

4. Friar’s Comment on Love: The Friar suggests that Romeo’s previous love was superficial and based on memorized phrases rather than genuine understanding.

5. Friar’s Agreement to Marry Them: The Friar agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet because he hopes their union will end the feud between their families.

Scene 4:

1. Historical Figures Mentioned by Mercutio: Laura, Dido, Cleopatra, Helen, and Hero are famous women from history and mythology known for their beauty and tragic love stories. Mercutio mocks them, suggesting they pale in comparison to Rosaline.

2. Puns by Mercutio and Romeo: They make puns about courtesy, goose, and sole/soul.

3. Mercutio’s Treatment of the Nurse: Mercutio treats the Nurse disrespectfully, mocking her appearance and mannerisms.

4. Romeo’s Instructions to the Nurse: Romeo tells the Nurse to have Juliet meet him at Friar Laurence’s cell for their marriage.

5. Nurse’s Mention of Another Suitor: The Nurse mentions Paris as another suitor for Juliet, but she indicates that Juliet has no interest in him.

Scene 5:

1. Time of Day: It is midday.

2. Nurse’s Absence Duration: The Nurse has been gone for three hours.

3. Humor in Nurse’s Treatment of Juliet: The Nurse teases Juliet by delaying the news about Romeo, heightening Juliet’s anticipation and anxiety.

Scene 6:

1. Romeo’s Fear of the Future: Romeo expresses no fear of the future, saying, “Then love-devouring death do what he dare.”

2. Friar’s Warning Explained: The Friar warns that intense pleasures can lead to equally intense consequences, like fire and gunpowder exploding upon contact.

3. Friar’s Message Explained: The Friar advises moderation in love, suggesting that a balanced approach leads to lasting relationships, while extremes can be detrimental.

4. End of Scene: Romeo and Juliet are married by Friar Laurence.