Romeo and Juliet Act 2, Scene 2

Question 1

Lines 1-25: What does the first line of the scene tell us about the character of Mercutio?

Answer 1

Mercutio is witty, but he is perhaps not as sensitive as Romeo is. Mercutio could not love a woman as deeply as Romeo does.

Question 2

Of whom would the moon be envious?

Answer 2

Juliet would make the moon envious.

Question 3

To what does Romeo compare Juliet’s eyes?

Answer 3

He compares her eyes to the stars.

Question 4

What could make the birds think it was daytime?

Answer 4

The brightness of Juliet’s eyes could make the birds think it was daytime.

Question 5

LINES 26-49: Why would Juliet be over Romeo’s head?

Answer 5

Romeo is in the garden, while Juliet is on the balcony on the second floor of her house.

Question 6

With what does Romeo compare Juliet?

Answer 6

He compares her to a bright angel.

Question 7

Why does Juliet say, “ Wherefore art thou Romeo?”

Answer 7

It is another way of asking why it should be that the man she loves is Romeo Montague, because the Montagues and the Capulets are enemies.

Question 8

What does Juliet mean when she says, “Romeo doff thy name”

Answer 8

Romeo should get rid of his name.

Question 9

Why are the words “Thou are thy self” important?

Answer 9

Romeo and Juliet love each other for what they really are ad not because of outward appearances. One of the most important themes of the play is the way Romeo’s love for Juliet brings out the best in his character and how he remains faithful to that best part.

Question 10

LINES 50-84: Explain as fully as you can the importance of the words: Henceforth I never will be Romeo

Answer 10

First, it means that Romeo is prepared to give up his family name, if that would make Juliet love him. But it can also mean that he will no longer be the rather silly young man we met at the beginning of the play when he played the part of a romantic lover, without really feeling any real or deep love for Rosaline. From now on, he will be true to himself.

Question 11

Why does Romeo say that his name is hateful to himself.

Answer 11

Romeo says so because he is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet. He hates anything that could come between him and Juliet.

Question 12

What would happen to Romeo if any of Juliet’s relations found him in the garden?

Answer 12

They would kill him.

Question 13

What, according to Romeo, helped him to get over the high walls of the Capulet garden?

Answer 13

His love for Juliet seems to give him wings.

Question 14

What, according to Romeo, will be a protection for him against his enemies?

Answer 14

If Juliet loves him, no one will be able to harm him.

Question 15

Quote Romeo’s words that will prove to be a prophecy of things to come?

Answer 15

“My life were better ended by their hate / Than death prorogued (delayed), wanting of thy love”

Question 16

LINES 85-106: Why would Juliet blush?

Answer 16

Romeo has overheard her talk about her feelings for him.

Question 17

Juliet asks Romeo to be faithful. To whom has he not been faithful.

Answer 17

Rosaline

Question 18

What lover’s tricks will Juliet not use?

Answer 18

Juliet will not pretend to be uninterested in order to tease a man and make him more interested in her.

Question 19

What does Juliet not want Romeo to think?

Answer 19

She doesn’t want Romeo to think that because she has admitted her love for him she is a girl who easily and lightly falls in love.

Question 20

LINES 107-141: Why does Juliet not want Romeo to swear by the moon?

Answer 20

The moon does not keep a constant shape, and changes all the time. Juliet doesn’t want Romeo’s love for her to change but to remain constant (faithful).

Question 21

What does Juliet want Romeo to swear by?

Answer 21

He must sweat by his own self.

Question 22

What does Juliet fear about this present meeting with Romeo?

Answer 22

It is too extreme and sudden to last with such intensity.

Question 23

What does Romeo ask Juliet to give him?

Answer 23

He wants Juliet’s vow that she will be as faithful as him as he will be to her.

Question 24

Why is it important that Juliet calls Romeo, “Sweet Montague”?

Answer 24

Their love is not affected by the hatred that exists between the Capulets and Montagues.

Question 25

Of what is Romeo afraid?

Answer 25

Romeo is afraid that Juliet is a dream.

Question 26

LINES 142-190: What must Romeo tell the person Juliet will sent to him the next day?

Answer 26

He must tell the person where and what time she and Romeo can marry.

Question 27

Why is it important that Romeo says, “So thrive my soul”?

Answer 27

It shows that his love for Juliet has a spiritual quality and is not merely physical and superficial, as it was with Rosaline.

Question 28

With what does Romeo compare the feelings of a lover leaving the girl he loves?

Answer 28

Romeo’s feelings are compared to a schoolboy going unwillingly to school.

Question 29

Why does Romeo say he wishes he were Juliet’s bird?

Answer 29

Juliet has just said that she wishes she were like a spoiled child who keeps a bird on a string so that it could never fly far away from her. In the same way, she would like to keep Romeo close to her. Romeo wishes he were that bird so he could always be close to Juliet.

Question 30

Explain the paradox of “Parting is such sweet sorrow”.

Answer 30

It is sorrowful because they are lovers who have to go away from each other. But it is also sweet because they are in love and there is the prospect of meeting again which they can look forward to.