Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Romeo and Juliet, Act Two

Act One finished with Romeo and Juliet knowing that they were in love with each other when they should have hated each other. Act Two, Scene One opens with Romeo climbing over the wall that guards the Capulet’s house. He is hoping that he can find Juliet. Benvolio and Mercutio are looking for Romeo for he had left them without sayings were he was going. Benvolio saw Romeo climb the wall and knows that he is near, so he asks Mercutio to call for Romeo. Mercutio replies using Rosaline features as a way to provoke Romeo, after talking about how much passion Romeo seems to devote to love. (Remember Mercutio and Benvolio do not know that Romeo is now in love Juliet, not with Rosaline) Benvolio cautions Mercutio not to anger Romeo. Mercutio replies saying that if he suggests any one but Romeo to be with Rosaline would anger him. Benvolio says that Romeo is hiding from them because he is in a dark mood and they should just leave him be. Mercutio continues to joke about Romeo but in the end Benvolio encourages him to leave, which they do. That is how the scene comes to an end.
            Act two, Scene Two opens with Romeo talking about Mercutio does not deserve to joke about love. The Romeo interrupts his own rant when he sees Juliet in her balcony. He begins to talk about how beautiful Juliet is and wonders aloud whether or not he should approach her. Juliet is not aware that Romeo is listening to her so she talks about how much she likes him. (For if she knew he was there she never would have said anything. She would have gone on to play the flirting game.) She also mentions that she wishes that Romeo was not a Montague, she tells her self that even with out his name he would still be the same person. After a while of Juliet taking to herself Romeo interrupts her to tell her that his name no longer has to be Romeo. The two begin to make small talk as Juliet ask Romeo how he got over the gate and if he was worried of being caught. Romeo responds saying that his love for her will protect him. Juliet worries aloud to Romeo that she thinks that they are moving way too fast. She tells him that she would not be this forward with him if he had not heard her talking to herself. She asks him if his love is true. He tries to give her poetic answers. She wants none of it. The Nurse calls for Juliet and Juliet ask Romeo to wait for her. When she comes back she tells Romeo that if he really loves her he would marry her. After a few times of him trying to leave and her calling him back, he tells her that he will send for her tomorrow. Romeo wishes Juliet goodnight as the scene ends.
            Scene Three is set in a monastery. Friar Laurence is talking of how night turns to day. Then he talks about herbs and about how they can do both good and bad. Then he goes on to compare herbs to people and how the two both have good and bad in them. Romeo enters then and says good morning.  Friar Laurence asks Romeo why he is up so early then he realizes that Romeo looks as if he has not slept at all. Romeo admits to the fact that he did not sleep but denies Friar Laurence’s accusation of him spending the night with Rosaline. He even tells Friar Laurence that he is no longer in love with Rosaline. Romeo explains to Friar Laurence of how he met Juliet and that he would now like to marry her. Friar Laurence hears of this and worries that the two are moving way to fast. He feels that this love is not strong but in the end he agrees in hopes that this will draw the two families together. That is the end of the scene.
            In Scene Four Mercutio and Benvolio is wondering where Romeo is. (They don’t know about Juliet.)  Benvolio knows that Romeo did not return home last night. Mercutio thinks he spent the night with Rosaline. Benvolio tells Mercutio that Romeo received a letter from Tybalt challenging him to duel. Mercutio says that Romeo will say yes to challenge as long as he is not a wimp. The two joke back and forth on what a wimp Tybalt is. Then Romeo arrives and his friends ask him what he had to do that was better then hanging out with them. Romeo does not tell them where he was. Mercutio and Romeo get way off topic and begin to joke back and forth until Nurse arrives with Peter.  Mercutio makes fun of Nurse. This makes Nurse angry. Much to Romeo’s dismay all she wants to talk  about is how wrongly she just was treated. Romeo tells Nurse to tell Juliet that she is to meet him at Friar Laurence’s cell that afternoon.  Nurse reminds Romeo that he must act as a gentleman towards Juliet. On that note the scene ends.
            Scene Five is Juliet waiting for Nurse to arrive so she can hear the message from Romeo.  Juliet talks aloud to herself about how anguish she is to hear from Nurse and how lovers should be telepathic. When Nurse arrives all she does is complain about how old and tired she is. So you have Juliet bugging Nurse for her answer and Nurse complaining about how old she is. (Nurse is teasing Juliet.)  After Nurse is though teasing as Juliet, she tells her to go to Friar Lawrence’s cell for her wedding with Romeo. Juliet gets ready to prepare herself for the wedding as the scene ends. 
            Scene Six is the wedding. The two Lovers exchange word on how much they love each other, while Friar Lawrence reminds the two to take it slow. Act Two ends with Friar Lawrence getting ready to marry them. Romeo and Juliet believe that these events are in their favor. Friar Lawrence believes that the two families have finally been united. Little do they know that the day still has challenges that are yet to come.

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