The more I give thee / The more I have, for both are infinite' (2.1.175-177). She reveals her selflessness when she declares, 'My bounty is as boundless as the sea, / My love as deep. Shakespeare compares Juliet to the sun, and she is one of the most generous characters in the play. The love that Romeo and Juliet share is the opposite of the selfish love that Shakespeare references in the opening acts of the play. The balcony scene is crucial to understanding their relationship because it allows Romeo and Juliet to test their initial passion and gain the courage to move forward with a marriage plan. Romeo and Juliet fall in love instantly, and marry one day later, sealing their future. The theme of love is central to Act 2 of Romeo and Juliet. However, within the the streamlined plot, Shakespeare explores the complications of love. AnalysisĪct 2 is more focused than Act 1, in that it mostly serves to establish the marriage which will become the root of the play's dramatic conflict. Juliet soon appears, and Friar Laurence brings them into the church to be married. The Friar cautions Romeo to 'love moderately' (2.5.9). Act Two, Scene FiveĪt the chapel, Romeo and Friar Laurence await Juliet’s arrival. Finally, the Nurse tells Juliet about the plan for her to meet Romeo at Friar Laurence’s chapel. When the Nurse eventually arrives, she comically refuses to give Juliet any information about Romeo until she has received a back rub.

Act Two, Scene Fourīack in the Capulet orchard, Juliet eagerly awaits news from the Nurse. Romeo proposes they meet that afternoon at Friar Laurence’s chapel. The Nurse explains that Juliet will meet Romeo and marry him. Mercutio makes sexual jokes about the Nurse, but eventually exits with Benvolio. Juliet’s Nurse and Peter arrive and ask to speak with Romeo. Impressed, Mercutio notes,'Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo' (2.3.77). When Romeo joins them, Mercutio mocks him, but Romeo matches his wit. He also reveals that Tybalt has sent Romeo a threatening message. Out in the street the next day, Benvolio tells Mercutio that Romeo has not yet returned home. Though the Friar is surprised that Romeo has forgotten Rosaline so quickly, he is nonetheless delighted, because Romeo and Juliet's union presents an opportunity to quell the raging feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Romeo arrives and confesses his new love for Juliet. Act Two, Scene TwoĪt the chapel, Friar Laurence is collecting herbs. Romeo is about to leave when his love emerges yet a third time, and calls him back for some final words of parting. The Nurse calls Juliet a second time, and she exits. She comes back out and insists that if Romeo truly loves her, he should propose marriage and plan a meeting place for them. The Nurse calls to Juliet, who disappears momentarily. Romeo swears his feelings are genuine, and Juliet laments the fact that she cannot fall in love with him again. Juliet warns Romeo to speak truthfully, since she has fallen in love with him and does not want to be hurt. He interrupts Juliet to confess his own love. Romeo overhears her speech, which confirms his own feelings. She wishes that Romeo’s name were different, so that they would not be enemies. She soon appears and delivers her famous soliloquy, asking 'Oh Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?' (2.1.75). He wants to determine whether her attraction is equal to his own. Meanwhile, Romeo has succeeded in leaping over the Capulets' garden wall and is hiding beneath Juliet's balcony. Others, including the Norton Shakespeare, which this note is based on, continue the scene as follows.) (Please note that some editions of Romeo and Juliet end Scene One here to begin a new one. Benvolio finally gets tired of searching for Romeo, and they leave. Mercutio calls to him, using lots of obscene wordplay. Out in the street, Romeo escapes from Mercutio and Benvolio. Though their secret romance puts Romeo and Juliet at risk, their passion drives them to meet, regardless of the danger. The Chorus explains that Romeo has traded his old desire for a new affection, and that Juliet has also fallen in love.

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