Act 2, Scene 1

Question 1

Can I go forward when my heart is here? / Turn back, dull earth, and find thy centre out.

Answer 1

This emphasises Romeo’s position as a lover only now the object of his affection has changed. The use of the rhetorical question, highlights his solitude and self-questioning. The fact that Romeo is physically secluded on stage also heightens this, as he thinks he is alone in his love and his positioning on stage reflects this. Romeo is torn as despite the fact she is a Capulet and his enemy, he wants to stay with her

Question 2

I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes, / By her high forehead and her carpet lip / By her quivering thigh

Answer 2

Mercutio’s objectification of Rosaline is in stark contrast with Romeo’s heartfelt appeal, again showing how their ideas of love juxtapose, perhaps explaining why the former’s words fail to entice the latter. The fact that bodily imagery gets more erotic highlights how Mercutio’s language is becoming increasingly indecent in his vain attempts to find Romeo

Question 3

Blind is his love, and best befits the dark. / If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.

Answer 3

The dialogue between Benvolio and Mercutio is quite ominous as the believe Romeo’s love is shrouded in ‘dark’ and therefore doomed to fail. This fatalistic sentiment is emphasised by the rhyming couplet ‘dark’ and ‘mark’

Question 4

Come, he hath hid himself among these trees / To be consorted with the humorous night

Answer 4

Benvolio realises the isolation into which Romeo has retreated and realises the futility in attempting to coax him out. The fact that Romeo is among the ‘trees’ and ‘night’ heightens the sense of isolation as Romeo has completely cut himself off from human contact, retreating into nature.

Question 5

Go, then; for ‘tis in vain / To seek him here that means not to be found.

Answer 5

Benvolio’s sentiment again recognises the extent of Romeo’s self-imposed solitude as its impossible to find someone who ‘means not to be found’. The fact that Benvolio and Mercutio exit after this line, cements and augments his isolation as he refuses too engage in a conversation with the 2 men.