***All questions should be answered in this packet. After we have finished reading the
book. This packet will be collected and counted as a TEST GRADE.
Name___________________________________________
English 10-___________
Ms. Cardino
Romeo and Juliet Act II
Study Guide Questions
Act II, Prologue
1. What more do we learn about the story from the Prologue in Act II?
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Act II, Scene I
Benvolio and Mercutio call out to Romeo so that they may all go home. They cannot
convince him to come out of hiding, so they leave him be.
Act II, Scene II
1. The balcony scene is one of the most famous from all of Shakespeare’s plays. In
Romeo’s soliloquy, to what does he compare Juliet?
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2. Re-read lines 35-38 and 40-51. How does Juliet feel about the importance of names?
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3. Why does Juliet ask that Romeo not swear by the moon when he is confessing his love
for her?
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4. For what purpose will Juliet send someone to Romeo on the following day?
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5. What does Juliet mean when she says, “Parting is such sweet sorrow / That I shall say
good night till it be morrow”?
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6. What is your opinion of the love that Romeo and Juliet have confessed to each other? Do
you think it’s possible for two people to fall in love so quickly? Explain.
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Act II, Scene III
1. The scene begins with Friar Lawrence’s soliloquy about the earth, its plentiful herbs, and
their powers. He explains that nothing from the earth is completely vile (evil), and at the
same time, even good herbs can be misused and abused. Make a prediction about how
his statements might relate to Romeo and Juliet’s fate.
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2. After Romeo shares his request to marry Juliet, why does Friar Lawrence doubt Romeo ’s
love for her?
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3. Why does Friar Lawrence agree to marry Romeo and Juliet?
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4. Dramatic irony occurs when something is understood by the audience, but not quite
grasped by the characters in the play. Explain how Friar Lawrence’s last line in this
scene is an example of dramatic irony.
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Act II, Scene IV
1. What is Mercutio’s opinion of Tybalt?
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2. What message does Romeo give the nurse to bring to Juliet?
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Act II, Scene V
1. The nurse knows Juliet has been anxiously awaiting the news, yet she continues to delay
in telling her what Romeo said. Why do you think she does this? What does this scene
reveal about their relationship?
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2. What does the nurse tell Juliet she must do at the end of the scene?
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Act II, Scene VI
1. Romeo tells Friar Lawrence that as long as his hands are joined with Juliet’s in marriage,
then “love-devouring death do what he dare.” Why is Romeo mentioning death at such a
happy time?
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2. Friar Lawrence states, “These violent delights have violent ends…” Why is he calling se
their love violent? How can these words be seen as a reminder to the audience?
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