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Act II Reading Questions Romeo and Juliet

Terms in this set (10)

According to the chorus, what are Romeo's feelings toward Rosaline?
According to the Chorus, Romeo is "Alike bewitched by the charm look" (2.Chorus.6). Romeo is captivated by Rosaline's looks in a lustful manner, rather than her personality.
How does Juliet feel towards Romeo?
Juliet feels deeply in love with Romeo. She confesses, "My love as deep. . ." (2.2.141-142).
Shakespeare uses a number of beautiful metaphors in this scene and throughout the play. Choose one metaphor that is particularly striking, write it down, and explain its meaning.
"Being in night, all this is but a dream" (2.2.147).

Romeo is comparing his night with Juliet to a dream. He implies through the metaphor that is experience with Juliet on the balcony was magical.
Romeo is hiding in the Capulet's garden when he overhears Juliet speaking to herself. Paraphrase what she says. How do her words fill him with hope of love? How do you know?
Romeo overhears Juliet's hopes that Romeo would not be a Montague. Juliet explains, "What's in a name?" (2.2.46). She explains that she wishes he would change his name so they could acceptably be together. Juliet expresses how she loves called by any name. This gives Romeo hope that he does truly love her.
What does Juliet want Romeo to do in order to prove his undying love for her?
Juliet wants Romeo to change his name: "'Tis but thy name that is my enemy" (2.2.41). Juliet wants Romeo to change his name in order to for them to be together. (wants him to not be a Montague). She wants that to be an act of declaration of love.
Much of the language that Romeo and Juliet use to express their love in Act II, Scene II, contains imagery. What effects does the imagery produce? Do you think it conveys more than literal statements would?
Romeo passionately describes Juliet: ". . .entreat her eyes/To twinkle in their spheres till they return" (2.2.16-17, 19-20). Without the imagery, the reader would not receive the same level of description that is received when the characters use imagery. By using imagery to describe something, despite the Shakesperean dialect, readers receive the most descriptive sentence possible. Additionally, the scene wouldn't be as romantic without the imagery. You want your writing to sound like the scene would - if that makes sense, and the imagery found in act 2 scene 2 does just that.
When Friar Lawrence receives a visit from Romeo so early in the morning, what assumption does the Friar make about Romeo's whereabouts that evening?
Because Romeo visits so early in the morning, Friar Lawrence assumes Romeo was partaking in lustful activities. He states, "God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline?" (2.3.47).
What issue does Romeo present to Friar Lawrence? How is the Friar willing to help? Find a supporting quotation.
Romeo asks Friar Lawrence for an expedited marriage between himself and Juliet: "On the fair daughter of rich Capulet. As mine on hers, so hers is set on mine, And all combined, save what thou must combine By holy marriage" (2.3.62-65).

Friar Lawrence is willing to help Romeo and Juliet marry so urgently because he believes it may end the conflict between the Capulets and Montagues. He responds, "In one respect I'll thy assistant be, For this alliance may so happy prove To turn your households' rancor to pure love"
We have seen oxymorons earlier in this play, and this scene offers an important one: "These violent delights have violent ends"
Why does Friar Lawrence phrase his thoughts this way?
Friar Lawrence predicts that Romeo and Juliet and will die in the end of the story - once again showing the theme of fate in the story. Friar Lawrence wants to warn Romeo how good yet bad love can be. How powerful but deadly it can be.
Juliet is impatient to hear new of Romeo. What does the Nurse dowhen she reutrns to tell Juliet the news, and why does she do this?
Juliet is impatient to see if her and Romeo are going to get married as soon as possible. As her mother by emotional connection, The Nurse loves to tease Juliet and so she stalls telling Juliet the news from Romeo by faking being tired, out of breath, and her back hurting, to get a reaction out of Juliet in which Juliet becomes frantic and antsy in anticipation for the news that Romeo gave The Nurse about their marriage.
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