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Guided Reading – Act II (68 pts)
Chorus
Summary: Romeo is now cured of his love for Rosaline. He has fallen in love with Juliet,
who seems just as unattainable. However, the young couple’s love ensures that they will
find a way to each other.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem spoken by the chorus? What kind of poem is it?
Line 3-4: Who is “that fair?” In what way has she been “matched?”
Scene 1: Near Capulet’s orchard
Summary: Romeo enters the Capulet’s orchard. Mercutio calls after him. When Romeo
does not respond, Mercutio and Benvolio depart, believing the Romeo is depressed over
Rosaline.
Lines 17-21: What tactic is Mercutio using to get Romeo to answer him? What is ironic
about his plea?
Scene 2: Capulet’s orchard
Summary: Romeo glimpses Juliet at her window. Enraptured, he delivers a monologue
praising her beauty. Unaware of Romeo’s presence, Juliet begins speaking of her love for
him. Romeo emerges from the shadows, and Juliet recognizes his voice. Aware of the
dangerous position Romeo is in, she asks why he is there. Romeo begins to swear his
love, but Juliet stops his rash declarations, fearful of their intensity. Hearing her nurse
call, she withdraws. When she reappears at the window, she declares that if Romeo really
loves her, he will marry her. The nurse calls again, and Juliet withdraws but appears at
the window one last time. The lovers are reluctant to part, but they must.
Line 1: Whom is Romeo referring to in this line? What “wound” has he never felt?
Line 2: What does Romeo see in this line?
Lines 2-23: Shakespeare uses images of light and dark throughout the play. How does he
use them in Romeo’s soliloquy? (define soliloquy.)
Line 26: What metaphor does Romeo use to describe Juliet?
Lines 33-36: These are probably the most well-known lines in all of Shakespeare.
Rewrite them in your own words.
Lines 38-48: What does Juliet say in her soliloquy about names? Explain “That which we
call a rose/ By any other word would smell as sweet.” What does she want Romeo to do?
Lines 85-105: In Juliet’s monologue she quickly goes from embarrassment, to frankness,
to pleading, to anxiety, to doubt. Summarize what she is saying.
Lines 109-111: Why doesn’t Juliet want Romeo to swear his love by the moon?
Lines 116-124: Why has Juliet become fearful and cautious?
What plans to they make for the following day?
Line 184: What event is foreshadowed by, “Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.”
Line 185-186. What does Juliet mean by the oxymoron, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”
Scene 3: Friar Laurence’s cell.
Summary: Early the next morning Romeo goes to the cell of Friar Laurence, his spiritual
adviser. The friar is in his garden, contemplating nature. He soliloquizes that all of
nature’s creations are beneficial if put to their proper use; if misused, however, the result
can be deadly. Men, like nature, are also capable of both good and evil. Romeo greets
him, and the friar perceives that something must be wrong, otherwise Romeo would not
be out so early. Romeo tells of his love for Juliet and asks the friar to marry them. The
friar chides Romeo for his change of heart, but agrees, for he thinks their union will unite
the families and end the feud.
Lines 15-16: The friar’s extensive knowledge of herbs will become crucial to the plot.
Explain the foreshadowing of “O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies / In plants,
herbs, stones, and their true qualities.”
Line 44: Romeo tells the friar that he has been out all night and has not yet been to bed.
Where does the friar think Romeo must have been?
Lines 57-80: Most of R&J is written in blank verse, but here Shakespeare switches to
poetry. What is the rhyme scheme of this dialogue?
Line 67-68: Friar Laurence is shocked by Romeo’s request. What does he say in these
lines about young men’s love?
Lines 85-87: Explain what Romeo is saying her about the difference between Juliet and
Rosaline.
Scene 4: A Street
Summary: Mercutio and Benvolio, looking for Romeo, reveal that Tybalt will challenge
Romeo to a duel. They fear that their lovesick friend is in no condition for a fight with
Tybalt, who is a talented swordsman. Romeo enters, and Mercutio teases him about his
behavior the previous night. Juliet’s nurse enters. Mercutio, still unaware of the
relationship between Romeo and Juliet, insults the nurse, suggesting that she is a bawd
for her mistress. Mercutio and Benvolio exit, and the nurse asks Romeo if his love is true.
He assures her it is, and tells her to have Juliet come to Friar Laurence’s cell that
afternoon to be married.
Lines 38-45: Mercutio makes several allusions in this speech. Whom is he alluding to
and why?
Lines 46-82: Mercutio and Romeo exchange in a series of fast-paced, witty puns and
wordplay. What is the effect of this dialogue?
Lines 83-86: What does Mercutio think he has accomplished for Romeo in this game of
wits? What is ironic about this?
Lines 100-102: The nurse is being pretentious and trying to impress the young men by
asking for her fan. What rude comment does Mercutio make in response?
Lines 100-125 Romeo joins his friends in behaving in a rude. Mocking manner towards
the nurse, even though he knows she has come on a very serious matter. Why might he be
behaving in this way?
Lines 139-141: How does Romeo explain and make excuses for Mercutio’s behavior?
Lines 176-182: Why does Romeo ask the nurse to bring him a rope ladder?
Scene 5: Capulet’s orchard
Summary: Juliet waits impatiently for her nurse to return. When the nurse returns, she
further frustrates Juliet with her digressive questions and comments. After chiding Juliet
for being ungrateful, the nurse tells her Romeo’s plans. Having been given leave to go to
church that afternoon, Juliet will instead go to Friar Laurence’s cell.
Lines 12-17: Explain the contrast Juliet is painting between youth and old age.
Where will Juliet go while she is supposed to be in church that afternoon?
Scene 6: Friar Laurence’s cell
Summary: Romeo is at Friar Laurence’s cell. The friar cautions Romeo that the intensity
of his love will lead to no good. When Juliet enters Romeo urges her to describe the
extent of their love. Juliet replies that fancy words are unable to do justice to the
substance of her love. The friar quickly leads them off to be married.
Lines 9-10: The friar foreshadows tragedy for the couple if their love is too intense. What
simile does he use to describe their love?
What two adults have the young lover’s confided their secret love to?
Do you get the impression that the friar is someone Romeo has confided in before? Why?
Between what kinds of groups might we find modern-day Romeo and Juliets?
Romeo and Juliet have confessed over and over that they would die for their love. Do you
believe that kind of love exists today? Is it common or rare?