2.3.3

Scene 4

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Summary of Act 2, Scene 4

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 2, Scene 4:

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Tybalt's letter

  • In Scene 4, Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybalt has sent a letter to Romeo’s house challenging him to a duel (fight). He wants a duel because Romeo dishonoured the Capulets by attending their party.
  • Mercutio says that Tybalt is a master swordsman. But Mercutio also starts making fun of him, saying he is vain (arrogant).
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Mercutio confronts Romeo

  • Romeo arrives and Mercutio starts making fun of him. He says that his love for Rosaline has made him weak – neither Mercutio nor Benvolio know of Romeo’s love for Juliet.
  • Mercutio is mad at Romeo for wandering off the night before and leaving his friends.
  • Romeo says that he had good reasons to do this so Mercutio shouldn’t be mad at him – but he still does not tell anyone about Juliet.
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Romeo and the Nurse

  • The Nurse enters and approaches Romeo.
  • Benvolio and Mercutio make some lewd (sexually offensive) comments about the Nurse, and then they leave.
  • The Nurse talks to Romeo – she warns him not to play with Juliet’s emotions and she says he should leave Juliet alone if his intentions are not honourable.
  • Romeo assures her that he loves Juliet.
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Romeo and the Nurse's plan

  • He asks the Nurse to make sure that Juliet can attend confession later on that day. He says that Friar Laurence will marry them there.
  • The Nurse agrees to tell Juliet. She also says that she will make a ladder out of clothes so that Romeo can visit Juliet on their wedding night.

Jump to other topics

1Context

2Plot Summary

3Key Characters

4Key Themes & Concepts

5Writing Techniques

6Recap: Main Quotes

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