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:

Tybalt's letter

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).
Mercutio confronts Romeo

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.
Romeo and the Nurse

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.
Romeo and the Nurse's plan

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
1

Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy & Setting1.1.2Relationships1.1.3Religion & Fate1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context1.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era1.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Prologue

2.1.1Prologue
2.2

Act 1

2.2.1Scene 12.2.2Scene 1 Quotes2.2.3Scene 22.2.4Scene 32.2.5Scene 42.2.6Scene 52.2.7End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1
2.3

Act 2

2.3.1Scenes 1-22.3.2Scene 32.3.3Scene 42.3.4Scenes 5-62.3.5End of Topic Test - Act 2
2.4

Act 3

2.4.1Scene 12.4.2Scene 22.4.3Scenes 3-42.4.4Scene 52.4.5End of Topic Test - Act 3
2.5

Act 4

2.5.1Scene 12.5.2Scenes 2-32.5.3Scenes 4-5
2.6

Act 5

2.6.1Scene 12.6.2Scene 22.6.3Scene 32.6.4Scene 3 - Quotes2.6.5End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 52.6.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs2.6.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed2.6.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths
3

Key Characters

3.1

Romeo

3.1.1First Impressions & Juliet's Effect3.1.2Character Development3.1.3Reactions & Key Quotes3.1.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age3.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety
3.2

Juliet

3.2.1First Impressions & Character Development3.2.2Tragic Character3.2.3Key Quotes3.2.4End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet3.2.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?3.2.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets
3.3

Mercutio

3.3.1Characterisation3.3.2Key Quotes
3.4

The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt

3.4.1The Nurse3.4.2Benvolio3.4.3Tybalt
3.5

Friar Laurence

3.5.1Characterisation3.5.2Key Quotes3.5.3End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio3.5.4End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence3.5.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?
3.6

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.6.1Grade 9 - Key Characters3.6.2Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis
4

Key Themes & Concepts

4.1

Power & Danger of Love

4.1.1Romeo's Loves4.1.2Friendship & Family4.1.3Violent Love4.1.4End of Topic Test - Love
4.2

Violence, Fate & Gender

4.2.1Violence, Conflict & Suicide4.2.2Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death4.2.3Fate & Destiny4.2.4Gender4.2.5End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender4.2.6Grade 9 - Key Themes4.2.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Writing Techniques

5.1.1Language, Rhythm & Rhyme5.1.2Symbolism & Imagery5.1.3Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys5.1.4End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques5.1.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Main Quotes by Act

6.1.1Act 16.1.2Act 26.1.3Act 36.1.4Act 46.1.5Act 5
6.2

Main Quotes by Character

6.2.1Romeo6.2.2Juliet6.2.3Mercutio6.2.4Friar Laurence6.2.5Nurse6.2.6Benvolio6.2.7Tybalt

Practice questions on Scene 4

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Summary of Act 2, Scene 4Put in order
  2. 2
    What does the letter from Tybalt to Romeo say (Act 2, Scene 4)?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What does the Nurse say to Romeo in Act 2, Scene 4?True / false
  4. 4
    What does Romeo ask the Nurse to make sure Juliet attends that afternoon (Act 2, Scene 4)?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What does Mercutio say about Tybalt in Act 2, Scene 4?Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Scene 4

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Scene 3

Scenes 5-6