1. Romeo and Juliet
Act Two

2. Act Two: The Prologue
Summarizes what has already happened: Romeo has replaced an infatuation with Rosalin with Juliet
Juliet feels the same way about him
Both lovers realize the problem of their love—that their families are ANTAGONISTIC (fighting) and their love will be difficult to develop
“Passion lends them power, time means, to meet” and the dangers that they have to overcome make their meeting more sweet

3. Act Two: scene One
Setting: Verona. A lane by the wall of Capulet’s orchard
Romeo enters alone searching for Juliet and disappears when he sees his friends, avoiding them
Benvolio and Mercution enter and Romeo leaves
They speak of love in a joking way and decide to look for Romeo

4. Act Two: Scene Two
Capulet’s Orchard. The famous balcony scene between Romeo and Juliet
Begins with Romeo’s soliloquy which is a speech spoken by an actor on stage so that only the audience hears. Reveals the thoughts and feelings of that speaker
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green And none but fools do wear it; cast it off. It is my lady, O, it is my love! O, that she knew she were! She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that? Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return. What if her eyes were there, they in her head? The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars, As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night. See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!

5. Act Two: Scene Two
Juliet also has a soliloquy in which she reveals her love for Romeo which he overhears
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet” lines 43-44
Romeo introduces himself and they swear their love for each other
The nurse interrupts them by calling to Juliet and they plan to meet the next day

6. Act Two: Scene Three
Setting: Friar Laurence’s “cell” which is his room
His soliloquy shows that he is kind, sympathetic, sensitive to nature and to beauty, and heals using herbs
Friar Laurence, who is also an accomplished herbalist (can use herbs to help people be well), speaks with Romeo and he tells him about Juliet
Romeo asks for Friar Laurence’s help in marrying Juliet
Friar Laurence is a calm influence on the scene

7. Act Two: Scene Four Setting: A street in Verona
Benvolio and Mercutio enter looking for Romeo and are worried because he was out all last night
There is a letter from Tybalt challenging Romeo to a duel
The nurse enters and they make fun of her
Romeo sends Juliet a message with the nurse so that Juliet will meet him at Friar Laurence’s cell that afternoon to be confessed, absolved, and married

8. Act Two: Scene 5 Setting: Capulet’s garden
Juliet waiting for the Nurse anxiously imagining reason why she is late
Nurse and Peter enter—Nurse teases Juliet and makes her wait for Romeo’s message, and Juliet begs her to tell her (They have a good relationship)
Then, after some COMIC RELIEF, tells Juliet to meet Romeo in Friar Laurence’s cell this afternoon to be married to Romeo

9. Act Two: Scene Six
Romeo meets Juliet in Friar Laurence’s cell to make his confession and is waiting for Juliet to do the same
Juliet comes and they are married after the scene