Return to Romeo Home

 

PROLOGUE-ACT II

            In the Middle Ages, people believed that falling in love could be dangerous. A person who fell in love too quickly and deeply might not be able to make wise decisions. A lover who was "hit by Cupid's arrow" would not be able to think or act sensibly. As you read Scene i, observe how Mercutio describes the love-struck Romeo.

            The prologue at the beginning of Act II briefly reviews the major events in Act I. The lovers' terrible problems are contrasted with their sweet love.

 

1.Both Romeo and Juliet have been bewitched by _______________________________________________________.

2.List two difficulties that the lovers face. Write the page and line numbers for your answers.

           

            a.____________________________________________________________

            b.___________________________________________

 

3.According to the chorus, what will help Romeo and Juliet overcome their problems?List two ideas in your answer.

 

            a.____________________________________________________________

            b.____________________________________________________________

 

4.In order to avoid his friends, Romeo________________________________________________________________.

 

Act II, Scene ii

            Juliet, like other young women from wealthy families, has been carefully prepared for courtship and marriage. She has been trained to hide her real feelings. She also is expected to be shy and modest with men. Only men are allowed to be bold and outgoing during courtship. However, in Scene ii, Juliet does not behave as she has been taught. Notice how her behavior is different from what is expected of young women.

            Scene ii, sometimes called the balcony scene, is very famous. Romeo secretly enters the Capulet orchard. Juliet comes out on her balcony alone. Romeo and Juliet then speak of their love for each other. Before the lovers part, they will say goodnight "a thousand times".

 

1.Shakespeare uses images of light and brightness to create certain feelings. Notice how Romeo uses these kinds of images when he talks to Juliet. Write three examples in which Romeo compares Juliet's beauty to something that is light. List the line number for each example.

 

a.____________________________________________________________________________________________

b.____________________________________________________________________________________________

c.____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

2.Reread the examples you gave in question 1. What mood or feelings do these words of light and brightness create for you?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

3.Juliet says that her enemy is not Romeo but only his _________________________________________.

 

4.Romeo, who has been hiding in the orchard, calls out to Juliet. Juliet speaks to him from her balcony. She is worried about Romeo because________________________________________________________________________________.

 

5.Juliet admits that her behavior towards Romeo is "immodest." Explain what Juliet does and says that embarrasses her.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

6.Juliet says to Romeo that ..."I have no joy of this contract tonight"  In your own words, explain what she fears about their love.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

7.Juliet will send a messenger to Romeo tomorrow to find out_______________________________________________.

Act II, Scene iii

            During the Middle Ages, priests and friars filled several roles. Men of the church ran schools and tutored wealthy children. They also helped both rich and poor people solve spiritual and personal problems. Sometimes priests and friars even served as matchmakers. Some friars were also herbalists. These men used plants to try to cure illnesses. They might also be asked to provide protection from diseases, injury in battle or even mad dogs. In Scene iii, you will see how the Friar serves as both an advisor and a healer. Notice how he uses his knowledge of nature as he gives advice to Romeo.

            It is dawn. Friar Lawrence is at the church. Much to his surprise, young Romeo comes to him at this early hour.

 

1.The Friar is collecting "deadly weeds and healing flowers". As he does this, he compares earth to a _____________

and the plants to her ___________________. Explain why the earth and plants could be described this way.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

2.Complete the Friar's speech that he says as he holds up a flower.

           

            Within the infant rind of this weak ____________

            Poison hath residence and ______________power:

            For this being smelt, with that part cheers each part;

            Being __________, stays all senses with the heart.

What is the Friar saying about the powers of natural plants and herbs?_____________________________________

 

3.The Friar gives the same warning about humans. The two "opposed kings" that "always live within man, as well as in herbs" are _______________and____________________. The Friar is saying that humans can be both __________

and_____________.

 

4.Romeo asks the Friar to_____________________________________________.

 

5.Friar Lawrence disapproves of Romeo's behavior. Explain why he scolds Romeo._____________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

6.Even though the Friar is upset, he agrees to Romeo's request for one reason. He hopes that the___________________

will end the __________________and turn the ________________of the Capulets and _________________________

into _____________.

 

Act II, Scene iv

            Upper class women in Verona were treated with courtesy. They were praised in poetry and love ballads. Lower class women, however, did not get this respect. Men often used vulgar language when speaking to them. The lower class women were simply expected to accept such harsh treatment. In Scene iv, Benvolio, Romeo and Mercutio meet Juliet's nurse. As you read, notice how these men treat the Nurse.

 

1. _________has sent a letter to _________. Mercutio believes that the letter contains a challenge to a _________.

 

2. Find two examples of how Benvolio and Mercutio are rude to the Nurse. On the lines below, first wrtie the speaker's name and what he says. Record the page and line numbers for each phrase. Then explain what the speaker means. An example is done for you.

 

            Romeo: "A sail, a sail!" Romeo means that the Nurse is a large woman.

a.__________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

b.__________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

3.What two instructions does Romeo give the Nurse?

 

a.__________________________________________________________________________________________

b.__________________________________________________________________________________________

Act II, Scenes v & vi

            Today a couple can be legally married without a religious ceremony. However, in the Middle Ages only marriages performed by a clergyman was legal. A wedding was a joyous event that was celebrated by many friends and relatives. After the ceremony, the guests followed the couple thru the streets to the home of the bride or groom. Then a wedding feast was held that lasted all night. Notice how different Juliet's wedding is from a typical ceremony today.

            Scene v opens at noon in the Capulet garden. Juliet is waiting for her nurse to return with a message from Romeo. The Nurse has been gone 3 hours, and Juliet is getting worried.

 

1.Juliet begs the _______________to report what _______________has said. As the Nurse rambles on and complains of the hard day, she also speaks of ________________good traits. List three of _______________qualities that the Nurse admires.

            a.___________________________________________

            b.___________________________________________

            c.___________________________________________

 

In Scene vi, Romeo and Juliet come to Friar Lawrence's cell to be married.

 

2. ____________________words shows how much he loves _________________. He is willing  to risk  __________death in order to ____________ Juliet.

 

3.Friar ____________________gives ________________more advice.

 

            These violent delights have violent ends

            And in their triumplh die, like fire and powder,

            Which as they kiss consume. The sweetest honey

            Is loathsome in his own deliciousness.   

            What does the Friar mean by these words?___________________________________________________

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________