Act II Questions and Answers

How does Mercutio treat the Nurse?

He makes rude jokes about her.

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

Romeo compares Juliet to the sun in his first speech because she is the light and she is bright for Romeo.

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

Romeo is meaning that he is the "dull earth" and Juliet means the world to him. Romeo is in love with Juliet just from seeing her at a party and flirting with her. He is talking to himself while saying this and is hiding from his friends so that he can find Juliet again.

Why does the Friar begrudgingly agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?

The Friar agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet because he thinks that the marriage will stop the fighting between the two of the families and bring them closer together.

In lines 87-88, the Friar says, "O, she knew well / Thy love did read by rote and could not spell." Explain what he means here.

The Friar means that Romeo and Juliet randomly fell in love and it might be special when they are dating and about to get married but in the long run, they will realize that they should've waited and got to know each other before wanting to get married.

According to the Friar, how are humans like plants?

The Friar thinks humans are like plants because love is like a flower, it can be good at some times and bad at other times.

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

Yes, Romeo is fearful of the future. He is fearful of the future because he knows that he is going to die randomly and unknown.

What happens at the very end of this scene?

At the end of the scene, the nurse finally tells Juliet what Romeo said about the marriage and how they will end up married and they will live happy ever after when really, they are not going to be able to be seen with each other around their families because their families hate each other.

What time of day is it?

It is taking time during the night because Romeo has to sneak around with Juliet so that their parents do not find out about Romeo and Juliet's relationship.

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

Juliet is the first one to mention marriage. This shows that Juliet might like Romeo a little too much and makes the audience think that the two characters are rushing their love for each other because they do not know each other well enough to get married.

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

Juliet thinks that her and Romeo might not end up together so she tells him this so that she doesn't feel trapped down by Romeo's love for her because she is only 13 year old and Romeo already wants to get married and live his life with her.

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

The nurse was gone for three hours while she was running her errands.

Look at lines 182-184. What do these lines literally mean? Then, explain how this bit of text is an example of foreshadowing.

Romeo wants to be around Juliet all the time like the parrot on the pirates shoulder. But, Juliet is scared that she is going to kill Romeo with all the love that she will give to him. This explains foreshadowing because Juliet is confusing her love for Romeo and Romeo is confusing his love for Juliet but they both know that their family isn't fond of their love for each other.

When Juliet says, "That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet," what does she mean?

She thinks that the love between her and Romeo and she is totally falling for Romeo. Even though, she referred to a flower which dies eventually meaning that their love is going to die soon or they are going to die soon. No matter what you call something, what matters is what it is.

Who does the Nurse say also wants to marry Juliet? What does she say Juliet's feelings are for this other suitor?

The Nurse said that Paris also wants to marry Juliet. The nurse says that Juliet's love for Paris is leaving because she is in love with Romeo and wants to marry Romeo.

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

The Prologue in Act 2 states that Romeo's love for Rosaline has died and is not there anymore. This is an example of foreshadowing because Romeo thought that he find his one true love, Rosaline, but then he went to the Capulet party and saw Juliet and fell madly in love with her.

What's humorous about the way the Nurse treats Juliet in this scene?

The nurse is stalling and not telling Juliet what Romeo said about them getting married. Juliet just wants to know what Romeo said about their relationship and the nurse just keeps talking about random things and avoiding the main problem that Juliet is facing.

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."

The two children are in love and they will both die soon because they cannot be happy together in front of their families. Their love is very explosive, one moment it is everything that someone in love wants and the next moment, Romeo and Juliet have to pretend to hate each other because they belong to different families and the families hate each other.

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

They are all people that Mercutio could describe what Romeo's love life is like. Mercutio says that Romeo goes from girl to girl just by one glance.