Scenes 5-6
English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 2.3.4
Summary of Act 2, Scenes 5-6
Here's a summary of what happens in Act 2, Scenes 5-6:
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
- 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
In Act 2, Scene 6, Friar Laurence says: 'These violent delights have violent ends'. Here's an analysis of this key quote:
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.
Test yourself on Scenes 5-6
Summary of Act 2, Scenes 5-6
What happens at the end of Act 2?
What does the Nurse tell Juliet in Act 2, Scene 5?
What does Romeo talk about when Juliet arrives at Friar Laurence's cell in Act 2, Scene 6?
Where does the wedding take place in Act 2, Scene 6?