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Act 2, Scene 2:

There were no guiding questions for this scene. Instead, the students worked together to summarize and retell Romeo and Juliet’s dialogue. This is that summary, with contributions from students in first and second blocks.

Act 2, Scene 3:

 1. Why does Friar Laurence not want to marry Romeo and Juliet at first?

•  He does not think Romeo truly loves Juliet; “Young men’s love then lies/ Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes (lines 67-68).
• He thinks Romeo has simply traded his obsession for Rosaline for an obsession with Juliet- compare these lines:
• Friar: “Not in a grave to lay one in, another out to have” (lines 83 and 84, Shakespeare’s original); Friar: “I didn’t tell you to get rid of one love and replace her with another” (lines 83 and 84, No Fear Romeo and Juliet).

2. Why does he change his mind?

He changes his mind because he thinks the marriage will unite the two families and end the feud- “For this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households’ rancor to pure love” (Friar, lines 91 and 92)

3. Do you think Friar Laurence’s reasons are realistic? Explain your answer with evidence from the play.

No, his reasons are unrealistic:

• The families have been feuding for longer than anyone can remember. This marriage will just make people like Tybalt even angrier. Also, remember, this is a tragedy- we, the audience, know that Romeo and Juliet are fated to end their lives.

Yes, his reasons are realistic:

• True love can conquer anything, and we know Romeo and Juliet love each other because of everything they said in Scene Two at the balcony.
• Friar Lawrence is a religious man; he is patient and tolerant. We can tell that by his affection towards Romeo. He naturally wants to see the best in people. So from his point of view, it is realistic to think the wedding will unite the families.

Act 2, Scene 4

 1. Why is Romeo so happy in this scene?

 He is planning on getting married; he has met Juliet; he is no longer worried about Rosaline.

 2. What would Mercutio and Benvolio say if they knew about Romeo’s plan to marry Juliet?

Mercutio would get mad; try to stop the plans; Benvolio might tell him to find another woman; they would both tell him he was being stupid. Also, they might remind him of the feud and of Tybalt’s anger at Romeo.

 3. The nurse is an adult. Why doesn’t she say something to stop the wedding? Why is she so willing to help?

She wants Juliet to be happy; she thinks the marriage will stop the feud; adds dramatic irony because we know what will happen but the Nurse does not; also ironic because Nurse knows about wedding, but Capulets do not.

Act 2, Scene 5

What time of day is it?  How do we know?

Noon; “from nine till twelve is three long hours”

 2. How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to Romeo?

Three hours.

hat makes 2.5.1-17 a soliloquy?

Juliet is alone on stage; she is expressing her inner thoughts.

4. Quote the lines which show Juliet’s impatience.

“The clock struck nine,” “Oh, she is lame (crippled, weak),” “ten times faster glides,” “from nine til twelve is three long hours,” “weak, unwieldy, lead;” “old folks… dead”

5. What does the nurse do when she returns?

Teases Juliet, makes her wait to hear her news.