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Romeo and Juliet – Discussion Questions

Act II.i

  1. Summarize this brief scene. What is the purpose of this scene?
  • Romeo decides to go seek Juliet – jumps wall into Capulet compound
  • Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo – Mercutio makes obscene jokes about Romeo’s love
  • Benvolio and Mercutio give up and leave
  • In the beginning of scene ii, we learn that Romeo hears them but says they don’t understand because they have never loved

Act II.ii

  1. According to Romeo, why is the moon “sick and pale with grief?”
  • The moon is sick with grief because the moon is not as beautiful as Juliet, who Romeo compares with the sun;
  • “That thou her maid art far more fair than she.” (I ii 5-6).
  1. How do Romeo and Juliet feel about their respective last names? Provide textual evidence for each.

Romeo:

  • Romeo says that if Juliet will love him, he will cease to be Romeo Montague: ““Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized:/Henceforth, I never will be Romeo.” (I ii 49-50)
  • He says his name is hateful to him: “My name, dear saint is hateful to myself/Because it is an enemy to thee.” (I ii 54-55)

Juliet:

  • Juliet says that she wishes Romeo would deny his heritage and no longer be a Montague; she in turn would no longer be a Capulet. She says that Romeo’s name only is her enemy.
  • “’Tis but thy name that is my enemy.”
  1. Why isn’t Romeo afraid to tell Juliet how he feels?
  • Because Romeo, when hidden, hears Juliet speak of loving him, calling him perfect:
  • “Retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title…Take all myself.” (I ii 45-48)
  1. Who is more impulsive, Romeo or Juliet? Provide textual support.
  • Romeo is more impulsive. Juliet says things are moving too quickly and worries that Romeo does not mean what he says.
  • “Although I joy in thee,/I have no joy of this contract tonight:/It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden,/Too like the lighting, which doth cease to be/Ere one can say, ‘It lighten’.” (I ii 115-119).
  1. Why doesn’t Juliet swear by the moon?
  2. Because the moon changes:
  3. “O sweat not by the moon, th’ inconstant moon,/That monthly changes in her circled orb,/Les that thy love prove likewise variable.” (I ii 108-110)
  1. Who raises, or brings up, the idea of marriage?
  • When Juliet asks how Romeo can satisfy her tonight, Romeo says “The exchange of our faithful vows.” (I ii 126)
  1. According to Romeo’s last words in this scene, where do you think the next scene will take place?
  • The scene likely will be in her priest’s room:
  • “Hence will I to my ghostly sire’s close cell,/His help to crave and my dear hap to tell.” (I ii 187-8).

Act II.iii-vi

  1. In the beginning of this scene, Friar Lawrence is out collecting plants. For what purpose?
  • He collects plants for their medicinal value.
  • “I must up-fill this osier cage of ours/With baleful weeds and previous-juiced flowers…O, mickle is the powerful grace that lies/In plants, herbs, stone, and their true qualities;” (I iii 8-17).
  1. When Friar Lawrence sees Romeo in the early morning, where does the friar think Romeo has spent the night?
  • He assumes that Romeo has been with Rosaline for the night.
  • “God pardon sin! Wast thou with Rosaline?” (I iii 45)
  1. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet? Find textual evidence.
  • The Friar hopes to end the families’ feuding with the marriage.
  • “In one respect I’ll thy assistant be;/For this alliance may so happy prove/To turn your households’ rancor to pure love.” (I iii 92-92)
  1. What advice does Friar Lawrence give Romeo at the end of the scene?
  • The Friar tells Romeo to move slowly and wisely.
  • “Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” (I iii 96)
  1. What does Tybalt do that proves he is still angry?
  • Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo, challenging him to a duel.
  • Benvolio says, “Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, hath send a letter to his father’s house.”
  • Mercutio replies, “A challenge, on my life.”
  1. Romeo does not tell his friends about Juliet. What does this silence reveal about him?
  • The silence may reveal that he doesn’t want them to make fun of him or dissuade him from his course.
  1. Why does Shakespeare include the humorous scene with Nurse?
  • Comic relief – break from serious story line
  1. What instructions does Romeo give Nurse?
  • He tells the Nurse to tell Juliet to go to Friar Lawrence’s cell that afternoon so they may be married.
  • “Bid her devise/Some means to come to shrift this afternoon,/And there she shall at Friar Lawrence’ cell/Be shrived and married.” (I iv 160-163)
  1. Juliet is worried and frustrated when the Nurse does not return on time from her meeting with Romeo. When the Nurse arrives, why does she delay in reporting what she learned from Romeo?
  • The Nurse likes to tease Juliet and drag out the suspense – make Juliet pull the information from her.
  • “O God’s lady dear!/Are you so hot? Marry, come up, I trow./Is this the poultice for my aching bones?” (I iv 62-64)
  1. How does Nurse seem to feel about the marriage?
  • She seems positive about the marriage – she approves of Romeo and wants to make Juliet happy.
  • “Your love says like an honest gentleman, and a courteous, and a kind, and a handsome, and, I warrant, a virtuous—“ (I iv 55-57)
  • “I am the drudge, and toil in your delight.” (I iv 75)
  1. Romeo tells the Friar, “Do thou but close our hands with holy words,/Then love-devouring death do what he dare;” showing how eager he is to get married. The Friar says, “These violent delights have violent ends.” What do these lines foreshadow?
  • The violent deaths of Romeo and Juliet
  1. How soon after meeting do Romeo and Juliet marry?
  • One day, not even 24 hours.
  1. What do you think would have happened if Friar Lawrence had told Lord Capulet about Romeo and Juliet’s relationship as soon as the Friar learned that Romeo wanted to marry Juliet?
  2. Answers will vary.