2.3.1

Scenes 1-2

Test yourself

Summary of Act 2, Scenes 1-2

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

Illustrative background for Scene 1Illustrative background for Scene 1 ?? "content

Scene 1

  • Romeo does not want to go home from the Capulet mansion because he feels like he must talk with Juliet.
  • Benvolio and Mercutio look for Romeo but cannot find him.
Illustrative background for Scene 2 - Romeo's soliloquy Illustrative background for Scene 2 - Romeo's soliloquy  ?? "content

Scene 2 - Romeo's soliloquy

  • In Scene 2, Romeo finds his way into the garden outside Juliet’s window.
  • It is dark now. Juliet appears at her bedroom window. He can see her because of the light in her room.
  • Romeo sees her and exclaims, 'But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun'.
  • He then uses a soliloquy (a speech where a character talks to his or herself) to talk about Juliet’s beauty and how much he loves her.
Illustrative background for Scene 2 - Juliet's soliloquyIllustrative background for Scene 2 - Juliet's soliloquy ?? "content

Scene 2 - Juliet's soliloquy

  • Juliet appears on the balcony outside her room and begins her own soliloquy (speech to herself).
  • She asks why Romeo had to be a Montague and exclaims that she wishes he would renounce (give up) his family name.
  • She also says that, if he didn’t want to do this but swore that he loved her, she would give up the Capulet name and they could be together.
Illustrative background for Scene 2 - Romeo and Juliet meetIllustrative background for Scene 2 - Romeo and Juliet meet ?? "content

Scene 2 - Romeo and Juliet meet

  • Romeo reveals that he is in the garden and surprises Juliet, who thought she was alone.
  • Juliet tells Romeo that she is scared he will be killed if he is found on the Capulet property.
  • Romeo refuses to leave – he tells Juliet that his love for her protects him from feeling all forms of pain.
  • At first, Juliet is worried that they are moving too quickly. But then both her and Romeo confess their love for each other. They talk for a while about their feelings before the Nurse calls Juliet back into the house.
Illustrative background for Scene 2 - Juliet's requestIllustrative background for Scene 2 - Juliet's request ?? "content

Scene 2 - Juliet's request

  • Juliet re-appears and tells Romeo to think about how he really feels. She tells him to send word (a message) to her the next day that they will marry if his intentions are 'honourable' and his purpose is 'marriage'.
  • They tell each other that they love each other again. Juliet goes back into her bedroom. Romeo leaves the Capulet garden.

Key Quotes - Act 2, Scene 2

Here are key quotes from Romeo and Juliet in Act 2, Scene 2:

Illustrative background for Romeo Illustrative background for Romeo  ?? "content

Romeo

  • 'But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.'
    • When Romeo sees Juliet, he immediately compares her to the sun. He uses the metaphor 'Juliet is the sun' to suggest that she brings light, happiness and love to his life.
    • Without her, he feels that his life has no meaning. This shows how strong his love for her is.
Illustrative background for JulietIllustrative background for Juliet ?? "content

Juliet

  • 'O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? / Deny thy father and refuse thy name; / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And I'll no longer be a Capulet.'
    • In her soliloquy (speech to herself), Juliet laments (complains sadly) that Romeo is a Montague.
    • She asks why his name is Romeo and wishes that he could change this. Or, she says, if he cannot give up his Montague name, she will give up her own family name and stop being a Capulet.
    • She is frustrated that their family names might keep them apart.
Illustrative background for JulietIllustrative background for Juliet ?? "content

Juliet

  • 'If that thy bent of love be honourable, / Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow.'
    • Although they had only met a few hours before, Romeo and Juliet felt love at first sight.
    • Juliet tells Romeo that if he feels love for her like she does for him, he must send word (a message) to her the next day so that they can get married.

Jump to other topics

1Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

4Key Themes & Concepts

5Writing Techniques

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson