Romeo & Juliet Act 2 Scene 1-5

Romeo & Juliet – Act 2, Scenes 1-5 Study Guide

Act 2, Scene 1

• Why does Romeo go back to see Juliet?

  • He is deeply in love with her and can't leave without seeing her again.

• How does he feel about Rosaline now?

  • He no longer cares for her; his love for Juliet has replaced his feelings for Rosaline.

• What do Benvolio and Mercutio believe about his thoughts and feelings regarding Rosaline?

  • They think he is still heartbroken over Rosaline and tease him about it, unaware that he now loves Juliet.

Act 2, Scene 2 (The Balcony Scene)

• Romeo possibly being killed if caught by the Capulet guards

  • Juliet warns Romeo that if her family finds him, they will kill him. Romeo says love gives him the courage to risk it.

• Romeo and Juliet discussing the moon

  • Juliet tells Romeo not to swear by the moon because it is always changing, and she wants his love to be constant.

• Romeo and Juliet planning to get married

  • They decide to marry the next day and make a plan to send messages about the wedding details.

Act 2, Scene 3

• Friar Lawrence's comparisons between plants and humans

  • He talks about how plants can be both healing and harmful, just like people can have both good and bad sides.

• Friar Lawrence's apprehensions towards marrying the two of them

  • He worries that Romeo is acting too quickly and that his love for Juliet is just infatuation.

• Friar Lawrence agreeing to marry them and for what reasons

  • He hopes their marriage will end the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.

Act 2, Scene 4

• Tybalt challenging Romeo to a duel

  • Tybalt, angry about Romeo crashing the Capulet party, sends a letter challenging him to a fight.

• Tybalt being a skilled and dangerous fighter

  • Benvolio and Mercutio mention that Tybalt is an expert duelist, making him a serious threat.

• The Nurse questioning and testing Romeo

  • The Nurse wants to make sure Romeo truly loves Juliet and is not just playing with her heart.

• Romeo providing a specific plan to get Juliet to Friar Lawrence

  • He tells the Nurse to have Juliet meet him at Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon for their secret wedding.

Act 2, Scene 5

• Juliet's thoughts and feelings at the beginning of the scene

  • She is impatient and anxious, waiting for the Nurse to return with news from Romeo.

• The Nurse having fun with Juliet

  • The Nurse playfully delays giving Juliet the news, teasing her by complaining about her aching bones.

• The wedding is set between the two

  • The Nurse finally tells Juliet to go to Friar Lawrence’s cell, where she will marry Romeo.