Act Two: Comprehension

2. The Nurse knows Juliet has been waiting for news, yet she continues to put Juliet off. Why do you think she does this? What does this scene reveal about their relationship?

This scene lets the audience in on the Nurse and Juliet's close relationship. The Nurse is simply teasing Juliet, knowing how excited she is. This shows their closeness and mother-daughter type relationship.

5. What does Romeo want the Nurse to have Juliet do? What will then happen?

To escape the house and go to Friar Lawrence to get married.

5. What is Friar Lawrence's reason for agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet?

To get rid of the hatred between the two families.

3. What does Romeo ask Friar Lawrence to do?

To marry him and Juliet

Scene Six. 1. Of what are we reminded by Friar Lawrence's line "These violent delights have violent ends"?

We are reminded that even though things seem to be going very well, both Romeo and Juliet will kill themselves at the end.

10. Explain the line "Parting is such sweet sorrow."

It is sad that they have to part.

9. Who mentions the idea of marriage first? What is your reaction to this proposal?

Juliet. I think it is stupid, because it is too soon to determine if they really love each other, or if it is just their appearances that drew them to one another.

6. Who, according to what Romeo tells Juliet, gave him directions to Juliet's balcony?

Love.

4. Who teases the Nurse, and why?

mostly Mercutio; she is of the Capulet family, so she is the enemy in his territory; he does not respect her

3. What task does the Nurse mention she must do at the end of scene five?

She needs to go get a rope ladder for Romeo so he can climb to Juliet's window

Scene Three. 1. What is Friar Lawrence doing at the beginning of scene three?

Talking to himself about herbs.

2. What event may or may not happen onstage in front of the audience? If you were the director, how would you stage the end of Act Two?

the wedding; there are no lines written for this scene, so it may or may not take place on stage. Answers will vary. Most audiences will want to see them get married, so most directors have some sort of ceremony in front of the audience.

Scene Four. 1. What news does Benvolio tell Mercutio at the beginning of scene four?

That Tybalt challenged Romeo.

Scene One. 1. What does Romeo mean by "He jests at scars that never felt a wound"?

That he was never really in love with Rosaline, he never felt a wound.

5. How does Romeo claim he was able to get over the orchard walls? Why is Romeo unafraid of Juliet's kinsmen?

He claimed that he flew over the wall with the wings of love. He isn't afraid of Juliet's kinsmen because love has lent him bravery.

3. The Montague boys think Romeo was still with Rosaline last night. Why do you think Romeo doesn't tell them the truth?

He may not want to deal with the teasing, since he was just so much in love with Rosaline; or he may just like the idea of having a secret lover.

What more do we learn about the story from the Prologue in act two?

Romeo has fallen out of love with Rosaline, got over her quickly, and instead fell in love with Juliet. Juliet feels the same for him, but the hatred between their families (Montagues and Capulets) makes it difficult for them to meet and let their passion prosper.

2. Who does Friar Lawrence think Romeo has been with all night?

Rosaline

Scene Two. 1. When Romeo first sees Juliet, to what does he compare her?

The sun

7. How does Juliet covertly indicate that she may doubt Romeo's love for her?

"Therefore par don me, And do not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered." "Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'ay,' And I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear'st Thou mayst prove false. At lovers' perjuries, They say, Jove laug hs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully."

Scene Five. 1. How long has Juliet been waiting for the Nurse to come with word from Romeo?

3 hours.

4. Explain Juliet's speech about the importance of names.

A name means nothing; Romeo would still be himself if his name wasn't Romeo, just as a rose would still smell just as sweet if it was called something else.

2. Why does Mercutio say Romeo is already dead?

Because he is in love and will not fight.

4. Why does Friar Lawrence question Romeo's request?

Because he was just crying so much over Rosaline a few days ago.

8. Why does Juliet tell Romeo not to "swear by the moon"?

Because the moon is always changing, and she doesn't want him to turn out to be that inconsistent as well.

3. What does Juliet want Romeo to do before she realizes he is there?

Change his name

2. According to Romeo, who is jealous of Juliet's beauty?

The moon