Romeo and Juliet Act II

ACT II The ACT II prologue is written in the form of a sonnet. The first twelve lines of a Shakespearean Sonnet are rhymed Ababcdcdefef A couplet in a Shakespearean sonnet is rhymed gg All Shakespearean sonnets have fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. The last two lines of a Shakespearean sonnet resolve the situation. Refer to the Romeo and Juliet PowerPoint (slide 11)- then continue on next slide…

Line-by-line Shakespeare uses personification to describe Romeo’s feelings for Juliet: “Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie.” Now Romeo’s old feelings of desire are dying, and a new desire is eager to take their place. Romeo groaned for the beautiful Rosaline and said he would die for her, but compared with tender Juliet, Rosaline doesn’t seem beautiful now.  “He is a man of wax.” is an example of a metaphor: meaning that Paris is to perfect to be real. He is as perfect as if he were sculpted from wax. When Romeo speaks the following line he means that Juliet is speaking, but she is rambling on incoherently. “She speaks, yet she says nothing. Her eye discourses.”

Line-by line Juliet is on the balcony proclaiming the following “Wherefore art thou Romeo?” She is wondering why the man she loves has to be Romeo, a member of the Montague family. This is an example of a soliloquy.

Line-by-line (keep an eye out for these) Soliloquy: an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMOwBBT6iA Aside: a remark or passage by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO2SirSH7Rg Monologue: a long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program. http://www.hulu.com/watch/4121

Line-by-line Juliet says, “I have no joy of this contract tonight,” by saying this, the word contract means the exchange of vows.   Mercutio calls Tybalt the “Prince of Cats,” alluding to the fact that Tybalt portrays characteristics of that of a cat.

Prologue and Act II The Prologue addresses the speed in which Romeo and Juliet fell in love. scene 1: Romeo’s friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, go looking for Romeo. They think that Romeo is still in love with Rosaline. Benvolio and Mercutio do not know that Romeo is headed to the Capulet orchard.

Act II scene 2 Romeo climbs over the Capulet’s garden wall and hides in the garden below Juliet’s window. Romeo overhears Juliet talking to herself in her famous soliloquy Her soliloquy lets Romeo know she is interested in him Juliet says that she will disown her family so she can be with Romeo. Juliet hates the name “Montague” not the person “Romeo.”

Act II scene 2 continued Romeo answers Juliet. Romeo is willing to change his name just to be with Juliet and says that Juliet’s family cannot stop their love. Juliet says that she is afraid that her family will kill Romeo if they find him. Romeo says he would rather die than live without Juliet. Juliet doesn’t want Romeo to promise that he loves her; she wants him to prove it through his actions by proposing marriage! Romeo proposes and Juliet accepts. Juliet says that if Romeo is serious about marriage, he must go and arrange the wedding. Juliet says, “I have no joy of this contract tonight,” by saying this, the word contract means the exchange of vows.  

Act II scene 3 Friar Lawrence’s monologue discusses the nature of good and evil in both nature and men. He thinks that Romeo is too quick to fall “in love” and that the marriage is a bad idea, but agrees because it may help end the feud.

Act 2 scene 4 Benvolio and Mercutio discuss the danger Tybalt poses to Romeo. Tybalt is the best fighter in Verona, and is looking for Romeo to kill him. They both believe that Romeo is too concentrated on “love” to face Tybalt. Mercutio calls Tybalt the “Prince of Cats,” alluding to the fact that Tybalt portrays characteristics of that of a cat. The nurse enters and Mercutio makes fun of her. Romeo tells the nurse to have Juliet at the church at one.

Act 2 scene 5 Juliet expresses her anxiety and frustration in her opening soliloquy. The nurse enters and first teases Juliet, refusing to give her an answer, and then tells her that Romeo will marry her that day when she goes to church.

Act 2 scene 6 Romeo is at Friar Lawrence’s cell. The friar cautions the young man that the intensity of his love will lead to no good. When Juliet enters, Romeo urges her to describe the extent of their love. Juliet replies that words are unable to do justice to the substance of her love. The friar quickly leads them off to be married. They are married in secret.