Analysis of Act Two - Summary

Question 1

Briefly summarise the Key events of Act 2

Answer 1

Romeo goes to Juliet’s balcony. They swear their love and agree to get married. Friar Lawrence arranges the wedding and Romeo tells Juliet the plan via the Nurse. We learn that Tybalt has sent Romeo a challenge. Romeo and Juliet get married.

Question 2

Who knows about Romeo and Juliet’s marriage by the end of Act 2? Pick two.
A. Mercutio
B. Friar Lawrence
C. Tybalt
D. Benvolio
E. the Nurse

Answer 2

B & E. Friar Lawrence and the Nurse are involved in organising the wedding, but Mercutio, Tybalt and Benvolio don’t know anything about the marriage.

Question 3

There are many hints in Act 2 that there will be in trouble ahead for Romeo and Juliet.
What effect does this have on the atmosphere of the play?

Answer 3

This makes the atmosphere more ominous, because the audience know that Romeo and Juliet’s happy moments together will be short-lived.

Question 4

Why do you think Romeo and Juliet decide to get married so quickly?

Answer 4

• Their decision to get
  married quickly could
  reflect the strength of
  their love. They could be
  so madly in love that they
  can’t wait to get married.
• It could be because they
  know their families won’t
  approve, so they get
  married before anyone
  can stop them. Juliet may
  also be worried about
  having to marry Paris.

Question 5

Romeo meets Juliet at the end of Act 1.
How does this affect his mood and behaviour in Act 2?

Answer 5

Romeo becomes happier after meeting Juliet. He is more willing to joke with Mercutio — they enjoy extended wordplay on the words “pump” and “goose”. This contrasts with his sadness in Act 1, when he describes himself as “tormented” by his love for Rosaline.