Name ___________Answer Key_________________________ Date ____________________ Hour ________
Guided Reading Notes – A Deeper Understanding
Romeo and Juliet – Act Two KEY
PROLOGUE
Line 6: What attracted Romeo and Juliet to each other?
1. Romeo and Juliet were charmed by each other’s “looks.”
Lines 9-12: What problem now faces Romeo and Juliet?
2. Because their families are enemies, Romeo and Juliet cannot meet openly.
SCENE ONE
Summarize Scene One in three sentences. One must be a compound sentence.
3. Later in the evening of the party, Romeo returns alone to the Capulet home, hoping for another glimpse
of Juliet. He climbs the wall and hides outside, in the orchard. Meanwhile, Benvolio and Mercutio
come looking for him, but he remains hidden behind the wall. Mercutio makes fun of Romeo and his
lovesick condition; however, Mercutio and Benvolio still believe that Romeo is in love with Rosaline,
since they know nothing about his meeting with Juliet.
SCENE TWO
Line 1: What is Romeo saying about Mercutio?
4. Romeo is saying that Mercutio has never been in love.
Literary Analysis: Soliloquy (Lines 2-25)
What is a soliloquy? Define it. Look in the Glossary of Literary Terms in the back of the textbook.
5. A soliloquy is a speech in which a character speaks thoughts aloud. Generally, the character is on the
stage alone, not speaking to other characters and perhaps not even consciously addressing the audience.
What does the soliloquy tell you about Romeo’s thoughts?
6. It tells you that he is truly in love with Juliet.
Lines 11-14: Why is Romeo so reluctant to let her know he is in the garden?
7. Romeo is a little shy and doesn’t know Juliet well yet.
Line 35: What is the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) meaning of wherefore?
8. The Old-English meaning of wherefore is why.
Lines 35-38: What does Juliet ask Romeo to do? What does she promise to do?
9. Juliet asks him to deny his name, but if he will not, she will swear h er love to him and no longer be a Capulet.
Comprehension Check (Lines 1-53) – Questions 10-12
Who speaks first at the beginning of the scene, and to who is that speak spoken to?
10. Romeo speaks to himself.
Who speaks second in the scene, and who is that speech spoken to?
11. Juliet speaks second, talking to herself.
Why is Juliet worried about Romeo’s name?
12. The name Montague links Romeo with the sworn enemies of Juliet’s family.
Literary Analysis: Conflict (Lines 69-84) (ph lines 66-79)– Why is Juliet worried when she sees Romeo?
What is causing her to feel this way?
13. Juliet is afraid her kinsmen (family) will discover and attack him.
Lines 73-78 (ph lines 70-74): What warning does Juliet give?
14. Juliet warns Romeo that if any member of her family sees him there, he will be killed.
Lines 84-88 (ph lines 79-83): Explain what you think Romeo means. Do you think he is seriously thinking of
death here, or is he just exaggerating because he is head over heels in love? Explain your answer with textual
evidence.
15. Choose a side and support your position with textual evidence (a quote).
Lines 94-98 (lines 89-92): Why is Juliet embarrassed that Romeo overheard her?
16. She is embarrassed that he heard her declare her love for him.
Lines 101-102 (ph lines 96-97): Why is Juliet worried?
17. Juliet fears Romeo may be false.
Literary Analysis: Imagery (Lines 116-117) (ph lines 111-112)
What is imagery? Define it. Look in the Glossary of Literary Terms in the back of the textbook.
18. Imagery consists of descriptive words and phrases that recreate sensory experiences for the reader.
Imagery usually appeals to one or more of the five senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch – to
help the reader imagine exactly what is being described.
What does Shakespeare describe in these lines?
19. He describes the silver coloring of moon-light on the tops of the fruit trees.
READING SKILL: Predicting
Make a prediction using Lines 118-135 (ph lines 113-131). Will Romeo remain in love with Juliet or forget her
as quickly as he forgot Rosaline? Use textual evidence to support your response.
20. Romeo will remain in love with Juliet because, unlike Rosaline, she loves him in return.
Lines 118-120 (ph lines 113-115): Why doesn’t Juliet want Romeo to swear by the moon?
21. The moon changes, and for Romeo to swear his love on something so variable as the moon suggests that
his love, too, might change.
Lines 128-131 (ph lines 123-126): What is Juliet’s attitude at this point? Do you agree with her feelings about
the relationship?
22. Juliet takes delight in Romeo, but not in the speed and rashness of their relationship. She urges caution.
Comprehension Check (Lines 54-149) (ph lines 52-142) – Questions 23-25
What is Romeo’s response to Juliet’s concern for his life?
23. He is not afraid. He believes that seeing her is worth the risk.
What does Juliet fear will happen if Romeo swears that he loves her?
24. She fears that he will go back on his oath and forget her.
How does Juliet respond when Romeo asks her for a vow of true love toward him?
25. She says that she gave it to him unasked.
Comprehension Check (Lines 150-213) (ph lines 143-203) – Questions 26-27
What does Juliet suggest Romeo do if he is serious about her?
26. She suggests that he find some way for them to get married.
Why does Juliet call Romeo back after she has said goodbye?
27. She asks him what time she should send a messenger to him, but she also claims she has forgotten why
she called him back.
SCENE THREE
Lines 46-47 (ph line 45): Where does he think Romeo has been?
28. He thinks Romeo has been with Rosaline.
ACTIVE READING: Reading Shakespearean Drama
Shakespeare worked in a poetic tradition that was fascinated by paradoxes. Explain the seeming contradictions
in what Romeo says in lines 52-58 (ph lines 50-55).
29. He was feasting with his enemies, the Capulets, when he was wounded by one of them (Juliet) in the
heart; he wounded her in return in a similar way. The remedy for their wounds (that is, for their
desperate love) is in the power of the friar, who can marry them. Romeo does not bear hatred to the
Capulets for having been wounded by one of them, as his request to the friar shows, since he also asks
help for his “enemy,” Juliet.
LITERARY ANALYSIS: Conflict
The friar and Romeo disagree about the validity of his love in lines 92-96 (ph lines 87-91). Romeo says that the
reason his love for Juliet is valid and should be taken seriously is that Juliet returns his love, whereas Rosaline
did not. The friar suggests that the reason Rosaline scorned him was that she realized that his love was shallow
and fickle. Write a paragraph where you discuss this conflict. Who is right, the friar or Romeo? Why? Provide
textual evidence to support your response.
30. The friar and Romeo disagree about the validity of his love. Romeo says that the reason his love for
Juliet is valid and should be taken seriously is that Juliet returns his love, whereas Rosaline did not. The
friar suggests that the reason Rosaline scorned him was that she realized that his love was shallow and
fickle. Be sure you discuss who is right and why. I detailed the conflict for you.
Lines 73-74 (ph lines 68-69): How would you paraphrase this sentence?
31. Young men love with their eyes, not with their hearts.
Lines 75-85 (ph lines 70-81): What is his opinion of Romeo’s rapid change of affections from one girl to
another?
32. He thinks that Romeo doesn’t really know what love is.
Lines 102-103 (ph line 97): How is the Friar’s warning similar to Juliet’s fears in the previous scene?
33. Like Juliet, Friar Laurence fears that the marriage is too hasty.
Comprehension Check (All Lines) – Questions 34-37
What is the main point of Friar Laurence’s soliloquy?
34. Good and bad both can be found in the one herb, and in one heart.
What does Romeo ask Friar Laurence to do?
35. To marry Juliet and him at once.
What is the friar’s immediate reaction?
36. The friar is disgusted that Romeo can change the object of his love so quickly.
Why does the friar agree to help Romeo?
37. He hopes to put an end to the feud between the two households.
SCENE FOUR
LITERARY CONCEPT: Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a device that an author uses to prepare a reader for an event or action that is to happen later in
the story. An author often uses foreshadowing to help the reader understand, in retrospect, how or why certain
events happened. Read lines 20-27 (ph lines 19-26). What might Mercutio’s concern with Tybalt’s expertise at
sword fighting foreshadow?
38. Mercutio’s concern with Tybalt’s expertise might foreshadow his death at Tybalt’s sword.
Comprehension Check (Lines 1-105) (ph lines 1-91) Questions 39-41
What did Tybalt send to Romeo’s house?
39. A letter in which he demanded a duel.
Why is Mercutio concerned about Tybalt?
40. Tybalt is a skilled swordsman.
Why is Mercutio pleased when Romeo exchanges puns with him?
41. He believes that Romeo has gotten over his love for Rosaline and become his old self.
Comprehension Check (Lines 106-220) (ph lines 92-202) Questions 41-44
How does Mercutio act toward the nurse when she arrives?
42. He makes fun of her.
How does the nurse react to Mercutio?
43. She is insulted and disgusted by him.
Why is the nurse worried about Romeo at first?
44. She is afraid he will deceive her beloved Juliet.
What does Romeo propose to do?
45. Meet Juliet at the friar’s cell and marry her.
SCENE FIVE
READING SKILL: Prior to reading Scene Five, predict what Juliet’s reaction to the nurse’s news will be.
46. Juliet will be ecstatic.
Lines 54-55 (ph lines 52-53): Considering the Nurse’s feelings for Juliet, is this really an angry curse?
47. The nurse is not really angry with Juliet, but she enjoys taking her time while Juliet tries to hurry her to
tell her the news.
SCENE SIX
LITERARY CONCEPT: Foreshadowing – Find examples of foreshadowing in Scene 6.
48. The friar’s reference to “sorrow” (lines 1-2) and Romeo’s reference to “love-devouring death” (line 7).
Lines 9-16 (ph lines 9-15): How likely is it that Romeo will follow this advice?
49. Romeo is not likely to follow the Friar’s advice. He didn’t forget Rosaline because of Benvolio’s advice,
only because he loved Juliet more.
READING SKILL: Predicting
Make a prediction about the type of scene to which Shakespeare will shift after this scene of love and happiness.
50. Shakespeare will introduce a contrasting scene of violence and death.