Directions: Answer All Questions in Complete Sentences. Use Cited Evidence When Necessary

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Romeo and Juliet Act II

Directions: Answer all questions in complete sentences. Use cited evidence when necessary.

Prologue

1.  Summarize the Prologue of Act II.

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2.  “And she steals love’s sweet bait from fearful hooks.” Discuss the effectiveness of this metaphor.

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1.  What is the setting of this scene?

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2.  Look at Mercutio’s monologue in lines 8-24. How does he call Romeo (by what)? How does this show dramatic irony (what does the audience know that Mercutio and Benvolio do not)?

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Act II Scene 2

1.  What does Romeo mean when he says “He jests at scars that never felt a wound”? (II.2.1)

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2. Juliet is on the balcony outside her bedroom but she cannot hear the words that Romeo says to himself as he looks at her from the hiding place below. Answer the following questions about lines 1-26:

a. Romeo repeats the light and dark images he introduced when he saw Juliet for the first time. Why does Romeo compare Juliet to the sun?

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b. Of what is the moon envious? Why is the moon envious?

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c. What would happen if Juliet’s eyes switched places with the stars?

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d. What is Shakespeare’s purpose in including this monologue? What function does it serve in the story?

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3. What does Juliet mean when she says “ O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo?/Deny my father and refuse thy name./Or if it wilt not, be but sworn my love,/ And Ill no longer be a Capulet”?

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4. After Juliet asks some pertinent questions , she realizes that Romeo has overheard her intimate thoughts about him. How does her attitude change? What is she worried about?

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5. An allusion in literature is an indirect reference to some historical or cultural person, event, statement, or fact. Writers using allusions in a text assume that the reader will recognize the reference and in some fashion apply the extra-textual information in their interpretation of the text. What allusion does Shakespeare use ? Using your knowledge of Greek mythology, why would Shakespeare use this allusion? How does it make sense in light of Juliet’s worries?

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6. Why does Juliet object to Romeo’s swearing on the moon?

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7. Juliet speaks of her fears. What are they?

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8. What allusion does Shakespeare use in this scene? Using your knowledge of Greek mythology, what is Juliet saying here?

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10. What does Romeo plan to do tomorrow? Do you think this is impulsive? Why or why not?

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Act II Scene 3

1.  What does the Friar mean when he says “The earth that’s nature’s mother is her tomb,/ What is her burying grave that is her womb”?

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2.  How do we know that Romeo and Friar Laurence have a close relationship?

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3.  How does Friar Laurence react when Romeo asks him to marry him and Juliet that very day?

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Write the quote that helped you come to this conclusion:______

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4.  In one respect I’ll thy assistant be/For this alliance may so happy prove/to turn your household;s rancor into pure love.” Refer to these lines and explain why Friar Laurence agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet.

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Act II Scene 4

1.  Mercutio and Benvolio are concerned because Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a duel. Mercutio then makes a joke and says that Romeo is already dead. How has Romeo ‘died’ according to him?

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2.  Label a pun. (play on word that has two meanings or two words that are similar but mean something totally different) use in this scene.

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3.  When Romeo enters, how does he show that his depressed mood has changed?

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4.  What message does Romeo urge the nurse to give to Juliet?

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Cite the lines that helped you come to this conclusion:

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Act II Scene 5

1.  Juliet is very impatient and agitated in this scene. Explain what images she uses in her soliloquy to express these feelings.

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2.  How does the nurse tease Juliet?

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Cite the lines that helped you come to this conclusion:

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3.  Why does the nurse agree to help Juliet?

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Act II Scene 6

1.  What warning does the Friar give Romeo concerning strong emotions?

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2.  Explain the events of this scene.

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