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Romeo and Juliet
Study Guide
Act II – Complications
Literary terms to know:
soliloquy:
monologue:
aside:
dramatic foil:
dramatic irony:
personification:
hyperbole:
Act II, scenes i-ii
- How does Mercutio’s attitude toward love differ from Romeo’s?
- In what terms does Romeo describe Juliet?
- What solutions does Juliet suggest to deal with the problem of their families’ enemy?
- Explain why Romeo is in real danger?
- What explanation can be given for Romeo and Juliet falling in love so quickly?
- Who is more practical of the two (Romeo or Juliet)?
- What is it that Juliet demands of Romeo? Why does she describe the moon as “inconstant”?
- Why is Juliet concerned about his love? What promise is I that she wants from him?
- Why is the subject of names so important to these lovers?
Act II, scene iii
- What is the Friar’s avocation?
- Why is Friar Lawrence concerned about Romeo’s change of heart? Why does he mistrust it?
- What is Romeo’s explanation?
- Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry the couple? Do you find his reasons justified? Explain?
- Look at lines 93-94. What do they say about the two men’s differences in attitudes?
Act II, scene iv
- What do we learn about Tybalt?
- Why does Mercutio think Romeo is no the person to meet Tybalt?
- How has Romeo’s mood changed?
- Why is Mercutio especially pleased by Romeo?
- What kind of person is the Nurse?
- What message does Romeo give to the Nurse for Juliet?
- Is the Nurse a person who can keep secrets? Explain.
Act II, scene v
- What is Juliet’s attitude?
- Is the Nurse teasing Juliet, is she behaving as she usually does? Explain.
Act II, scene vi
- How is the Friar a dramatic foil to Romeo? (Think about Romeo’s traits and state of mind.)
- What is going to happen next?