Scenes 2-4

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Summary of Act 1, Scene 2

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 1, Scene 2:

Marriage prospect - Paris and Juliet

In Scene 2, Lord Capulet (Juliet’s father) talks to Paris (a relative of Prince Escalus) about the prospect of Paris marrying Juliet.
Paris really wants to marry Juliet, and Lord Capulet is extremely happy about the match.
But Lord Capulet feels that Juliet is too young to get married (she is only 13 years old). He wants Paris to wait two summers.

Ball invitation

Lord Capulet invites Paris to the masquerade party he is holding that evening. Lord Capulet tells Paris he can begin to woo (try to gain the love of) Juliet.
- This is a bit unusual for the time period. Capulet shows that he cares about Juliet’s happiness here – he could have forced her to marry Paris immediately, but he wants her to be in love and wants to wait until she is a bit older.

Romeo and Benvolio meet the servant

Lord Capulet gives the party invitations to one of his servants and tells him to distribute them. The servant cannot read so he must ask for help.
As the servant is wandering the streets, he meets Romeo and Benvolio (who are still discussing Rosaline). He asks Romeo to read the party invitation list to him.
Romeo notices Rosaline’s name on the list.

Party invite

The servant does not think they are Montagues, so he invites Romeo and Benvolio to the party.
- Benvolio tells Romeo that the party will be the perfect opportunity for him to compare Rosaline to other women and realise that there are other beautiful women around.

Summary of Act 1, Scene 3

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 1, Scene 3:

Juliet and the Nurse

Scene 3 takes place in the Capulet household.
Lady Capulet, the Nurse and Juliet all meet and start talking.
The Nurse tells long stories about what Juliet was like as a child – this emphasises the Nurse’s close relationship with Juliet as she was the main adult to raise her.

Marriage and Paris

Lady Capulet asks Juliet if she would like to get married – Juliet replies that she hasn’t really thought about it before.
Lady Capulet talks to Juliet excitedly about Paris, who she thinks is very attractive and an excellent match for Juliet.
Juliet agrees to consider Paris as her match. But Juliet also says she needs to see how she feels about him after the masquerade party.

Summary of Act 1, Scene 4

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 1, Scene 4:

Romeo's party fears

In Scene 4, Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio are talking in the street.
Romeo is worried about how people will respond to them being at the party.
Benvolio and Mercutio try to get rid of his fears and tell him to have fun at the party.

Romeo laments

Romeo continues to lament over (be upset about) his unrequited (not returned) love of Rosaline.
He says 'I have a soul of lead' and refuses to dance at the party.
Mercutio and Benvolio continue to encourage Romeo to get over Rosaline. They tell him there are lots of beautiful women and he should try to enjoy himself.

Romeo's foreboding feeling

Benvolio tries to hurry the others along to the feast.
Romeo has a bad feeling about the party – he feels that attending the party will be the cause of his death. But he still goes to the party with his friends.

1Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting

1.1.2Relationships

1.1.3Religion & Fate

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

3.1Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect

3.1.2Character Development

3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes

3.2Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development

3.2.2Tragic Character

3.2.3Key Quotes

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet

3.3Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation

3.3.2Key Quotes

3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse

3.4.2Benvolio

3.4.3Tybalt

3.5Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation

3.5.2Key Quotes

3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio

3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence

3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis

4Key Themes & Concepts

4.1Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves

4.1.2Friendship & Family

4.1.3Violent Love

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love

4.2Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide

4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death

4.2.3Fate & Destiny

4.2.4Gender

4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes

5Writing Techniques

5.1Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme

5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery

5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques

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