STUDY GUIDE ACT TWO
1. Explain the Prologue.
ACT TWO - SCENE ONE:
Explain the dramatic irony in this scene.
ACT TWO - SCENE TWO: (This is the most famous scene in the entire play.)
1. Fill in the blanks in this paraphrase of Romeo's soliloquy (lines 1-32)
Shh! What _____ is at the _____? ______ shines through the window like the ______ rises in the ______. Arise, beautiful sun (Juliet) and replace the _________ who is jealous because you, her maid (Diana - Virgin moon goddess) are ________ than she. Don't be a ________ since the moon is _________ of you. Her innocence is sickly, and only a _______ would keep it.
Oh! It's Juliet! I wish she knew that I _________ her. She speaks. but says __________. How strange. She speaks with her eyes. I'll ____________ her. No, I'd better not since she isn't _________ ____ ____.
Two of the ________ _______ in heaven have asked her _______ to twinkle for them while they take care of some __________. If her eyes were there, her ___________ would make the stars seem dull just as _________ outshines a lamp. Her eyes would shine so ________________ that the _______ would think it were _______________ and begin to __________. O' I wish that I could touch her _____________.
She speaks. 0 speak again bright ________, for you are as glorious to this ____________, being over my __________ (up at the window) as is an angel of ______________ is to _______ who look up and see him when he walks on the ___________ and sails on the ________________.
2. Explain Juliet's soliloquy (lines 33-44)
3. How is this an example of dramatic irony?
4. Fill in the blanks in this paraphrase of Juliet's speech (lines 35-106)
You know it is ________ or you could see me __________ because you __________ me talking about you. If I followed proper etiquette, I'd _______ I ever said it. But who cares about etiquette! Do you ________ me? Don't say yes unless you really ________ it. If you think that I am too ___________. 1'll play _______ ____ _____ so you can _______ my affections. The truth is I am foolishly in ______ with you, and you might not take me ___________. But _________ me, and I'll _________ myself to be more _______ than those who know how to play hard to ________. I would have been more __________ I must confess, but since you allude _________ me confess my __________ for you, there is no ___________ to be.
5. After Romeo and Juliet vow their love for one another, what do they decide to do and when?
ACT TWO - SCENE THREE
This scene opens with Friar Laurence collecting herbs. He is discussing the properties of the herbs and the purposes for which they may be used. This demonstrates Friar Laurence's knowledge of herbs and foreshadows that this knowledge may serve some purpose in future events in the drama.
The sky turns _________ as the _______ gives way to ________. Streaks of __________ speckle the Eastern ______ as the ______ rises in its normal course. Now, before the ______ rises fully and ______ the dew, I must fill this ____________ with _____ and ______. The earth is both the place of ______ and _______ for all of _________. We find all kinds of ______ growing from the earth; Some are ______ and some ______, but all are ____________. Plants and ______ and ______ have great ___________. There is nothing on earth so _______ that it does not have some _______ qualities, and nothing so ________ that it cannot be used for ________. Even goodness itself turns to vice when __________, and _______ put to good use may appear worthy. Within this _________ ______ lies _________ as well as ___________; for it has a very pleasing _______, but if you _______ it, it will __________ you. It is the same with _______. He is part ________ and part _______, and when the bad side of his nature is ______________ than the good, he'll sooner or later __________ himself.
2. Why does Romeo go to see Friar Laurence?
3. How does Friar Laurence respond to Romeo's request?
4. Why does Friar Laurence consent to Romeo's request?
ACT TWO - SCENE FOUR
This scene serves as a contrast to the preceding scene in Friar Laurence's cell. Mercutio and Benvolio are in a merry mood as they walk along talking and laughing about Romeo whom they think is still pining away over Rosaline. Benvolio mentions that Tybalt has sent a challenge to Romeo. Mercutio then gives a long description of Tybalt's eagerness to fight. Romeo comes along in a good mood after his talk with Friar Laurence. They engage in a series of puns matching their wits against each other. Along comes Juliet's nurse and Peter (her servant).
1. For whom is the nurse looking and why?
2. What warning does she give Romeo?
ACT TWO - SCENE FIVE
Juliet is waiting very impatiently for the nurse's return. Why does she become so irritated when the nurse does return?
ACT TWO - SCENE SIX
Romeo and Juliet are married in Friar Laurence's cell. How does this scene foreshadow future events?
EXTRA CREDIT (OPTIONAL) General - Find one example in Act Two of each of the following literary devices:
1. Conceit
2. Simile
3. Personification
4. Dramatic Irony
5. Hyperbole
6. Paradox
7. Pun
8. Apostrophe
9. Metaphor
10. Allusion
