Act 2 Scene 1

Question 1

Lines 1-2: Where does Romeo wish to return to?

Answer 1

He wishes to return to the Capulet household, where Juliet is.

Question 2

What does Romeo mean by “dull earth”?

Answer 2

The human body is made of the materials provided by the earth. Romeo is talking about his own body (“earth”), which is sad and heavy (dull).

Question 3

What does he mean by the centre of the earth?

Answer 3

The earth was thought to be the centre of the universe and the heart was thought to be the centre of the body. The heart is often associated with feelings of love. In other words, Romeo is saying that the centre of his whole life is his love for Juliet.

Question 4

What effect does the comparison with the earth have?

Answer 4

It makes us realises that his love for Juliet is natural. His love for Rosaline was artificial.

Question 5

LINES 3-43: What feelings of Romeo does Mercutio make fun of?

Answer 5

Mercutio still thinks that Romeo is in love with Rosaline. As we have seen, Romeo’s feelings for Rosaline were too romantic and it is romantic love that Mercutio is mocking.

Question 6

Is Benvolio right when he says that Romeo’s love is blind?

Answer 6

Romeo’s love was blind when he like to think that he was in love with Rosaline, but it is not blind now that he has met Juliet.