Scene 3

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Summary of Act 2, Scene 3

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 2, Scene 3:

Romeo's confession

In Scene 3, Romeo visits Friar Laurence to talk about Juliet.
Friar Laurence says that Romeo looks like he hasn’t slept the night before – he asks if Romeo was with Rosaline.
Romeo tells Friar Laurence that he is in love with Juliet and wants to marry her.

Friar Laurence's shock

Friar Laurence says he is shocked. He says he is worried that Romeo has moved on from one love quickly to another.
Friar Laurence does not take Romeo’s feelings for Juliet seriously. He tells Romeo that young men do not take love seriously and only fall in love with appearances.

Friar Laurence agrees

Romeo tries to convince Friar Laurence that his feelings for Juliet are genuine. He says that Juliet loves him back (which Rosaline did not).
Friar Laurence eventually agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet.
- Friar Laurence believes that their marriage will join the Montague and Capulet families and stop the family feud (fight) once and for all.

Key Quote - Act 2, Scene 3

In Act 2, Scene 3, Friar Laurence says: 'For this alliance may so happy prove, / To turn your households' rancour to pure love.' Here's an analysis of this key quote:

Motives

Although Friar Laurence should not marry the two lovers because they do not have parental permission, he agrees to.
He hopes that their 'alliance' (their marriage) will stop the family feud (argument) between the Montagues and the Capulets.
He hopes to turn their 'rancour' (their hatred) to family love, and stop the fighting and deaths.

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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