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Romeo and Juliet
Ac t II, ii-vi Reading Guide
Answer each question below completely, using specific line citations from the play to support your responses.
Scene ii:
Act II, scene ii is also known as “The Balcony Scene” and is one of the most famous scenes in theater. Romeo has just trespassed on Capulet property with hopes of catching a glimpse of Juliet and he finds her stargazing on the balcony. In this scene, we see them exchange vows of “love” and make plans for future meetings.
1. Throughout your reading of this scene, pay close attention to the ways in which the characters want to rush their interactions and the ways in which they want to take their time. Keep a list of instances of each (act, scene and line) in your notes as you read.
2. Throughout your reading of the scene, pay careful attention to references to night and darkness or day and light. Record these in your notes. What is being covered by the night or hidden by the darkness? What is illuminated by the light of day?
3. As Romeo watches Juliet at her balcony (without her knowledge, remember!), he compares her to the goddess of the moon, Diana. What is he trying to say? How does he hope that Juliet will be different than Rosaline?
4. The word, “wherefore,” as Juliet uses it, means ______.
5. Juliet, speaking to herself, says,
“…Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,
And for that name which is no part of thee
Take all myself.” (II.ii 45-49)
Why does she want Romeo to give up his name? What does she offer him in return?
How does Romeo respond? Is this consistent with what we already know about his character and intentions? Why, or why not?
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6. Juliet: If they do see thee, they will murder thee.
Romeo: I have night’s cloak to hide me from their sight;
And but thou love me, let them find me here:
My life were better ended by their hate,
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love (II.ii.74-78).
Why would Juliet’s people murder Romeo if they found him on her balcony?
How does Romeo feel about the possibility of being killed by the Capulets?
7. Why is Juliet nervous when she asks Romeo, “Dost thou love me” (II.ii.90)?
8. What does Juliet mean when she says,
“Do not swear at all;
Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self,
Which is the god of my idolatry,
And I’ll believe thee” (II.ii.112-115)?
By what has Romeo already sworn? Why is Juliet mistrustful of these?
9. In line 125, Romeo asks Juliet, “O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?” What does he say that he is looking for? Do you believe him? Why, or why not?
10. When Juliet responds by asking, “What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?” (II.ii.126), do you believe that she really does not understand what Romeo is implying? Why, or why not?
11. Carefully reread lines 142-149. If Romeo is sincere in his statements, what is their plan? Do you believe that Romeo is sincere in his intentions? Why, or why not?
12. Juliet says,
“ ’Tis almost morning; I would have thee gone:
And yet, no further than a wanton’s bird;
Who lets it hop a little from her hand,
Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gives,
And with a silk thread plucks it back again,
So loving-jealous of his liberty” (II.ii.177-182).
What comparison is she making through the use of this simile? What does this say to you about Juliet, her beliefs and her intentions? How would you feel if someone compared you similarly? How does Romeo seem to feel about it?
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Scene iii:
In Act II, scene iii, Romeo goes to find Friar Lawrence, a local priest he hopes will agree to marry the young lovers.
1. Friar Lawrence is speaks freely and is relatively uninterrupted throughout the opening 31 lines of the scene.
What activity is he engaged in? What does this tell us about him?
List the paradoxes he describes in these lines. What point do you think he is trying to make?
In what ways do you think this speech might be foreshadowing events to come?
2. What does the friar’s concern for Romeo and inquiry about Rosaline highlight about Romeo and Juliet’s impending marriage?
3. Friar Lawrence warns Romeo, “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast” (II.iii.101). Against what is the friar attempting to warn Romeo? How does this statement reinforce themes presented in the play so far?
Scene iv:
Mercutio and Benvolio are again looking for Romeo at the opening of this scene, concerned again that he has not come home that evening. Mercutio believes that Romeo is still upset over Rosaline, Benvolio explains to him what has really happened. Whn Romeo finally appears, they tease him. As is Mercutio’s style, he and Romeo trade puns at length.
Juliet’s nurse comes along to disrupt the joking and Mercutio turns his humor on her. She is visibly angry and takes some time to calm down before she lectures Romeo about being honest with Juliet about his intentions and making plans for their upcoming wedding.
1. Who has challenged Romeo? What does this mean? What problems might this cause for the young lovers?
2. Mercutio questions whether or not Romeo is the one who should stand up to this man. Why? What does this say about Romeo? What predictions can you make based on this statement?
3. At first, the nurse is angry about the way that Mercutio has spoken to her, and this affects her opinion of Romeo. Does this opinion change by the end of the scene? If so, how and why? If not, why not?
4. What plans does Romeo share with the nurse? How have your opinions of his intentions changed, if at all? Why?
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Scene v:
In this scene, Juliet waits at home impatiently. She is excited to hear the news that the nurse will bring back. The nurse finally returns and teases Juliet as she shares the plans she and Romeo have made with Juliet.
1. How long has the nurse been gone? Why does this worry Juliet?
2. When the nurse returns, how does she act? How can the nurse’s behavior relate to the advice Friar Lawrence gives Romeo at the end of II.iii?
3. How does Juliet react to the nurse’s behavior? What does this help you to understand about Juliet? Given similar circumstances, how might you react?
4. What is the mood of this scene? How is it similar to the mood of the last scene?
Scene vi:
Romeo and Friar Lawrence await Juliet. Juliet enters the church and the three exit the stage together, presumably for the marriage ceremony.
1. Friar Lawrence says,
“These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey
Is loathsome in its own deliciousness
And in the taste confounds the appetite.
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.
To swift arrives as tardy as too slow” (II.vi.9-15).
What does he mean by this? How does this continue to build on the play’s themes?
2. At this point in the play, would you consider it to be a comedy or a tragedy? Why?
3. Make predictions for the coming acts. Justify these with evidence of foreshadowing from throughout the first two acts.