Romeo And Juliet Act 2 Scene 1 Essay

Act 2 scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet is set outside of Capulet's house. Romeo is conflicted with his choices because he believes his heart is with Juliet. Benvolio and Mercutio enter the scene. Benvolio calls for Romeo, but Mercutio assures him that Romeo is safe when he says “He is wise, And, on my life, hath stol’n him home to bed.” (pg. 68) Benvolio states that Romeo had run down the lane and jumped over the orchid wall to return to Juliet. By Benvolio’s command, Mercutio calls for Romeo . Mercutio sarcastically uses Rosaleen’s name to lure Romeo out from the forest “ I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip” (pg. 68) Benvolio informs Mercutio that Romeo will be angered by his call and suggests they

Romeo believes Mercutio’s ridicules are unjust because he has never been in love. Romeo observes that there is a light on in the upper window and that Juliet is in the room. To himself, Romeo delivers a lengthy passage in regards to Juliet’s beauty. Romeo says “The brightness of her cheek would shame those stares.”(pg. 72) Juliet id on the balcony talking to herself in says“Ay me.” (pg 72) Romeo desperately wants Juliet to speak again, this is apparent when he says “O speak again, bright angel! For thou art as glorious to this night, being o’er my head, as is a winged messenger of heaven” (pg 72) Still talking to herself, Juliet exclaims the iconic lines “O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?” (pg 72) Juliet says this because she desires Romeo not to be Romeo because he is a Montague. Juliet desires Romeo to give up his father and family name so they can be together. If he does not do this, she states that “Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” (pg. 72) Juliet believes that only Romeo’s name is hostile to her and that his surname means nothing. Romeo emerges from the shadows, and does not identify himself to Juliet. After a brief period of not knowing who is talking to her, Juliet realizes that it is Romeo. Romeo vows that he will not go by either Romeo or a Montague if she dislikes those names. In this scene, Romeo is risking his life to visit Juliet, however, he

Friar Lawrence sets the scene by poetically describing the time of day “The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night, check’ring the Eastern clouds with streaks of light.” (pg. 84) Friar Lawrence believes that people are born from the Earth and when we die we return to the Earth, which is surprising because that topic is relatively not Christian. He continues to talk about the good and bad in all things, how good people can turn bad, how bad decisions can be for the greater good etc. Romeo enters the scene, which is surprising to Friar due to the earliness of the hour. The Friar believes Romeo had not been able to sleep due to a disturbance this is apparent when he says “Thou art uproused with some distemp’rature” (pg. 86) Romeo exclaims “That last is true-the sweeter rest was mine.”(pg.86) This alarms Friar and he proceeds to pardon Romeo’s sin. The Friar believes Romeo was with Rosaleen, but Romeo reveals he wasn't when he says “No I have forgot that name and that name's woe.”(pg. 86) Romeo reveals that he was dining and in the process, he was shot with one a love dart. Romeo’s confusing phrasing of the answer prompts Friar Lawrence to ask Romeo to state his troubles clearer. Romeo then confesses that he is love with Juliet and he wants Friar Lawrence to marry them when he says “Then plainly know my