Scene 2

English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 2.4.2

Summary of Act 3, Scene 2

Here's a summary of what happens in Act 3, Scene 2:

In Scene 2, Juliet waits for nightfall so that Romeo can sneak into her bedroom and they can enjoy their wedding night.
She speaks in a long soliloquy (speech to herself) about how much she loves Romeo and how happy they will be together.
The dramatic irony (when the audience knows something the characters don’t) here is that the audience knows that Romeo has killed Tybalt.
The audience knows that Romeo and Juliet will probably never be accepted as a married couple and probably never be able to be happy together.

The Nurse rushes in and tells Juliet that there has been a huge fight in Verona. She says that a man is dead.
Juliet thinks that Romeo has killed himself. She says that she wants to die as well.
The Nurse tells Juliet that Tybalt is dead. She says that the Prince banished Romeo from Verona.

Juliet is devastated that the Prince banished Romeo and cries. She says that she is doomed to die without having her wedding night with Romeo.
The Nurse tells Juliet that she knows where Romeo is hiding. The Nurse goes to him to take a message from Juliet.

In Act 3, Scene 2, Juliet says: 'bid him come to take his last farewell'. Here's an analysis of this key quote:

In the scene, Juliet begs the Nurse to tell Romeo to come to her for their wedding night.
They can say 'farewell' before he is exiled to Mantua.
The dramatic irony is that the audience knows that this visit will be the last time the couple see each other alive.

Summary of Act 3, Scene 2
Who does Juliet initially think has died in Act 3, Scene 2?
How does Juliet react to the news that Romeo has been banished (Act 3, Scene 2)?
Who is Juliet waiting for at the start of Act 3, Scene 2?
What does Juliet mean by the words 'bid him come to take his last farewell' (Act 3, Scene 2)?