6.1.2

Act 2

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Key Quotes - Act 2, Scene 2

Here are key quotes from Romeo and Juliet in Act 2, Scene 2:

Romeo

Romeo

  • 'But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.'
    • When Romeo sees Juliet, he immediately compares her to the sun. He uses the metaphor 'Juliet is the sun' to suggest that she brings light, happiness and love to his life.
    • Without her, he feels that his life has no meaning. This shows how strong his love for her is.
Juliet

Juliet

  • 'O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? / Deny thy father and refuse thy name; / Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, / And I'll no longer be a Capulet.'
    • In her soliloquy (speech to herself), Juliet laments (complains sadly) that Romeo is a Montague.
    • She asks why his name is Romeo and wishes that he could change this. Or, she says, if he cannot give up his Montague name, she will give up her own family name and stop being a Capulet.
    • She is frustrated that their family names might keep them apart.
Juliet

Juliet

  • 'If that thy bent of love be honourable, / Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow.'
    • Although they had only met a few hours before, Romeo and Juliet felt love at first sight.
    • Juliet tells Romeo that if he feels love for her, like she does for him, he must send word (a message) to her the next day so that they can get married.

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

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.

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.
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 Act 2

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

  1. 1
    Complete these key quotes from Act 2, Scene 2:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What does Romeo compare Juliet to in his soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 2?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What technique is used in the quote: <b>'Juliet is the sun'</b> (Act 2, Scene 2)?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Who says <b>'For this alliance may so happy prove, / To turn your households' rancour to pure love'</b> in Act 2, Scene 3?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What is the <b>'alliance'</b> Friar Laurence is referring to when he says: <b>'For this alliance may so happy prove, To turn your households' rancour to pure love'</b>?Multiple choice
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Act 1

Act 3