Scene 4
English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 2.3.3
Summary of Act 2, Scene 4
Here's a summary of what happens in Act 2, Scene 4:
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Test yourself on Scene 4
Summary of Act 2, Scene 4
What does the letter from Tybalt to Romeo say (Act 2, Scene 4)?
What does the Nurse say to Romeo in Act 2, Scene 4?
What does Romeo ask the Nurse to make sure Juliet attends that afternoon (Act 2, Scene 4)?
What does Mercutio say about Tybalt in Act 2, Scene 4?