Romeo & Juliet Act II

Act II Prologue & Translation: Now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, And young affection gapes to be his heir; That fair for which love groan'd for and would die, With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair. Now Romeo is beloved and loves again, Alike betwitched by the charm of looks, But to his foe supposed he must complain, And she steal love's sweet bait from fearful hooks: Being held a foe, he may not have access To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear; And she as much in love, her means much less To meet her new-beloved any where: But passion lends them power, time means, to meet Tempering extremities with extreme sweet. Now Romeo’s old feelings of love are dying, and a new love is eager to take their place. Romeo longed for the beautiful Rosaline and said he would die for her, but compared with Juliet, Rosaline doesn’t seem beautiful now. Now someone loves Romeo, and he’s in love again—both of them falling for each others' good looks. But he has to make his speeches of love to a woman who’s supposed to be his enemy. And she’s fallen in love with someone she should fear. Because he’s an enemy, Romeo has no chance to see Juliet and say the things a lover normally says. And Juliet’s just as much in love as he, but she has even less opportunity to meet her lover. But love gives them power, and time gives them the chance to meet, sweetening the extreme danger with intense happiness.

Act II Characters/Roles: Romeo Benvolio Friar Laurence Mercutio Peter Juliet Nurse

Act II, Scene 1 Location: a lane by the wall of Capulet’s orchard, the evening of the party.

Act II, Scene 2 Location: Capulet’s orchard & Juliet’s balcony.

Act II, Scene 3 Location: Friar Laurence’s Monastery.

Act II, Scene 4 Location: A street.

Act II, Scene 5 Location: Capulet’s orchard.

Act II, Scene 6 Location: Friar Laurence’s Monastery.