2.3.3
Scenes 4-6
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.
Summary of Act 2, Scenes 5-6
Summary of Act 2, Scenes 5-6
Here's a summary of what happens in Act 2, Scenes 5-6:
The plan revealed
The plan revealed
- In Scene 5, Juliet waits impatiently to hear from Romeo.
- The Nurse returns. Juliet begs her for information. The Nurse makes Juliet wait for information, and Juliet gets more desperate for news.
- Eventually, the Nurse gives in. She tells Juliet to pretend to go to confession that afternoon. She says Romeo will be waiting with Friar Laurence, and they will marry there.
The marriage
The marriage
- Juliet arrives at Friar Laurence’s cell.
- Romeo talks about the joy that he feels. He says that he does not care what happens to him now because he is so happy.
- Romeo and Juliet get married.
Key Quote - Act 2, Scene 6
Key Quote - Act 2, Scene 6
In Act 2, Scene 6, Friar Laurence says: 'These violent delights have violent ends'. Here's an analysis of this key quote:
Foreshadowing death
Foreshadowing death
- This line foreshadows (warns about) Romeo and Juliet’s deaths.
- Friar Laurence is trying to warn Romeo that even though his and Juliet’s love has happened very quickly and has been very enjoyable, their deaths could also happen as quickly.
- The oxymoron 'violent delights' and repetition of 'violent' highlight his message further.
1Context
2Plot Summary
2.1Prologue
2.2Act 1
2.5Act 4
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
Jump to other topics
1Context
2Plot Summary
2.1Prologue
2.2Act 1
2.5Act 4
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
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