1. 19
March
2012
Kushe! (Krio, Sierra Leone)
In our last reading, we examined Act II, Scenes i-iii,
looking at the famous balcony scene between Romeo
and Juliet. Today we look at how their relationship
progresses as they rush into their plans for marriage.
Do Now:
Set up a new page with the MLA heading...
31. the fight waxed more and more ferocious and romeo insulted by juliets
cousin stepped into the battle

2. Journal:
What do you think of Romeo and Juliet’s intent to
get married? Is this wise? Why do you think they
are so eager to get married? How does this
compare with modern young couples? Are there
similarities?

3. Poetic Devices Search
Each group will be assigned a poetic device to look
for in Act II, Scenes 1-3: imagery, metaphor,
hyperbole, allusion, and personification.
You have two pieces of colored paper (one color the
quote, the other the effect). You must find an
example of your assigned poetic device and comment
on its effect.
Once complete, place your colored papers on the
chart in front of class.

4. Scene 1:
1. What does Mercutio say about “blind love”?
Scene 2:
1. Romeo repeats the light and dark images he introduced when he
saw Juliet for the first time. Why does Romeo prefer to think of Juliet
as the sun rather than the moon?
2. Why does he want the sun to kill the envious moon?
3. Why does he compare Juliet’s eyes to the stars?
4. Why is this comparison to stars another example of foreshadowing?
5. What is Juliet’s attitude toward the feud that has separated the two
families?
6. What are two indications in this scene that Juliet may be slightly more
mature than Romeo?

5. Journal:
Paraphrasing, or restating in your own words, is a
strategy that can help you gain understanding of
the play. Paraphrase the dialogue in Act II, Scene
3, between Romeo and the Friar that begins with
Romeo’s line, “Thou chid’st me oft for loving
Rosaline” and ends at the close of Scene 3.

6. Scene 3:
1. How might the fact that the herb that Friar Lawrence is picking contains
both medicine and poison be a comment on the quality of the relationship
between Romeo and Juliet? Or on Romeo and Juliet themselves? Or on
the nature of others in the play?
2. What does Friar Laurence mean when he says to Romeo, “Young men’s
love then lies not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes?
3. What is Friar Laurence’s reaction to hearing of Romeo’s new love (lines
65-80)?
4. Friar Laurence agrees to perform the marriage ceremony for Romeo and
Juliet for what reason?
5. Since he agrees to marry them so quickly, isn't Friar Lawrence as guilty of
being hasty as are Romeo and Juliet?
Scene 4:
1. According to Mercutio, what kind of man is Tybalt?
2. How is Juliet to arrange to meet Romeo?

7. Create the chart on the board. Working with a partner, compare
Mercutio and Romeo’s views on love, women, beauty, and
dreams.
Mercutio Romeo

8. Scene 5:
1. Juliet is very impatient to hear news from Romeo (lines 1-17).
What images does she use in her soliloquy to express this?
2. Why won't Juliet's Nurse give her Romeo's message as soon as
she returns from her mission?
3. Why does the Nurse agree to help Juliet marry Romeo?
Scene 6:
1. What does Friar Laurence mean when he says, “Therefore, love
moderately; long love doth so”?

9. Exit Journal:
Does the emotional behavior of Romeo and Juliet
have more to do with their age or with love at first
sight? Why do you say that?

10. Homework:
1. Finish reading Act II
2. Independent Reading....are you doing it?