2.3.3
Scene 4
Summary of Act 2, Scene 4
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.
1Context
2Plot Summary
2.1Prologue
2.2Act 1
3Key Characters
3.1Romeo
3.2Juliet
3.3Mercutio
3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt
3.5Friar Laurence
3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Key Themes & Concepts
4.1Power & Danger of Love
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Main Quotes by Act
6.2Main Quotes by Character
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Plot Summary
2.1Prologue
2.2Act 1
3Key Characters
3.1Romeo
3.2Juliet
3.3Mercutio
3.4The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt
3.5Friar Laurence
3.6Grade 9 - Key Characters
4Key Themes & Concepts
4.1Power & Danger of Love
5Writing Techniques
6Recap: Main Quotes
6.1Main Quotes by Act
6.2Main Quotes by Character
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