Romeo and Juliet Act 2 Study Guide

Study Notes

Act 2 Scene 1

Setting is the streets of Verona, late at night after the Capulet feast, near a wall.
Benvolio and Mercutio search for Romeo, unaware he has climbed the wall to see Juliet.
They mistakenly believe Romeo is still love-sick over Rosaline, leading Mercutio to mock him.

Act 2 Scene 2

Takes place under Juliet's balcony, from midnight to early morning.
Juliet expresses that a name should not define their love and desires to discard it if necessary.
After romantic exchanges, Juliet requests Romeo to prove his love by marrying her the next day.

Act 2 Scene 3

Set in a monastery during early morning after Romeo's meeting with Juliet.
Romeo confesses his love for Juliet to Friar Lawrence, who is concerned and chastises him for his fickleness.
Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them, hoping to end the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.

Act 2 Scene 4

Occurs at the Montague home, early noon.
Mercutio and Benvolio discuss Tybalt's challenge to a duel against Romeo, fearing Tybalt's superior skills.
Nurse and Peter arrive; Mercutio offends the Nurse with crude jokes.
The Nurse warns Romeo not to deceive Juliet and agrees to convey the marriage proposal to her.

Act 2 Scene 5

Set in Juliet's room at the Capulet home during the afternoon.
Juliet eagerly anticipates news from the Nurse about Romeo, growing impatient.
The Nurse delays answering with excuses before revealing the details of Romeo's marriage proposal and their planned meeting.

Act 2 Scene 6

Takes place later in the afternoon at the monastery or church.
Friar Lawrence advises Romeo on the dangers of passionate love and to love moderately for a healthy relationship.
He warns that Juliet's inexperience may pose challenges as their relationship progresses.

Benvolio and Mercutio's Misunderstanding

They do not know Romeo has met Juliet; they believe he is still heartbroken over Rosaline.
Mercutio's teasing about Rosaline indicates their misunderstanding of Romeo's current feelings.

Romeo's Escape

Romeo climbs over the orchard wall to reach Juliet, feeling compelled to stay after their meeting.

Romeo's Description of Juliet

In his monologue, Romeo likens Juliet to the sun and a servant of Artemis, emphasizing her beauty and virginity.
He invites her to abandon her virginity and compares her eyes to the brightest stars.

Juliet's Rose Comparison

Juliet expresses that Romeo would remain unchanged by another name, just as a rose retains its fragrance regardless of its name.
She wishes for Romeo to forsake his name in exchange for her love.

Juliet's Fear of Discovery

Juliet fears her family's reaction to seeing Romeo, as they would kill him for being a Montague.

Interrupted Oath

Juliet interrupts Romeo when he begins to swear by the moon, criticizing its inconstancy.
She ultimately prefers that his love remains sincere and unwavering.

Description

This study guide covers Act 2, Scenes 1-6 of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', focusing on the setting, time, and key events. It highlights the interactions between key characters like Romeo, Benvolio, and Mercutio, providing context to the unfolding drama. Dive into the details of this romantic tragedy and enhance your understanding of the narrative.