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Study Worksheet Unit
by Sharon Service

Romeo and Juliet

Act I    Act II    Act III    Act IV    Act V    Index


Answer all of the following questions in sentences on a separate sheet of looseleaf.

Act II

Scene 1

  1. Briefly sum up what takes place in this scene.

Scene 2

  1. What time is it when Juliet appears at her window? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  2. What does Juliet deplore in the following line?
     
    • "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
       
    What does she wish Romeo to do in this line?
     
      "Deny thy father and refuse thy name."
       
  3. Who says the following? What is meant? Give the numbers of the lines.
     
    1. "O that I were a glove upon that hand,
      That I might touch that cheek."
         (Lines ________)
       
    2. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose
      By any other name would smell as sweet."
         (Lines ________)

    3. "...Look thou but sweet,
      And I am proof against their enmity."
         (Lines ________)
       
    4. "I have no joy of this contract tonight.
      It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
      Too like the lightning..."
         (Lines ________)

Scene 3

  1. What is the meaning of the following passages? Paraphrase in modern English.
     
    1. The grey-eyed morn smiles on the frowning night,
      Check'ring the Eastern clouds with streaks of light;
      And flecked darkness like a drunkard reels
      From forth day's path and Titan's fiery wheels.
      Now, ere the sun advance his burning eve
      The day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry,
      I must up-fill this osier cage of ours
      With baleful weeds and precious-juiced flowers."
         (Lines 1-9)
       
    2. "O mickle is the powerful grace that lies
      In plants, herbs, stones, and their true qualities.
      For naught so vile that on the earth doth live
      But to the earth some special good doth give."
         (Lines 15-18)
       
    3. "With Rosaline, my ghostly father? No.
      I have forgot that name and that name's woe."
         (Lines 46-46)
       
    4. "Young men's love then lies
      Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes."
         (Lines 67-68)
       
    5. "Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast."   (Line 94)

Scene 4

  1. What is the letter that Tybalt sent to Romeo's father?
     
  2. How does Benvolio mean that Romeo will answer the letter?
     
  3. What does Mercutio mean when he says, "Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead!"
     
  4. List the traits which Mercutio attributes to Tybalt in his description to Benvolio.
     
  5. According to Romeo, what sort of youth is Mercutio? Quote the lines which support your answer.
     
  6. Explain:
     
    • "...to lead into a fool's paradise."
       
  7. Which message does Romeo give the nurse in the following lines:
     
    • "Bid her devise
      Some means to come to shrift this afternoon,
      And there she shall at Friar Laurence' cell
      Be shrived and married."
         (Lines 169-172)

Scene 5

  1. What time of day is it?
     
  2. How long has the Nurse been gone on her errand to Romeo?
     
  3. Quote the lines which show Juliet's impatience.

Scene 6

  1. What does Friar Laurence mean,
     
    • "So smile the heavens upon this holy act
      That after-hours with sorrow chide us not!"
         (Lines 1-2)
       
  2. What does q1 tell us about the Friar's state of mind?
     
  3. Is Romeo fearful of the future? Explain the following lines:
     
    • "Then love-devouring death do what he dare
      It is enough I may but call her mine."
         (Lines 7-8)
       
  4. What is the Friar's warning in the lines:
     
    • "These violent delights have violent ends
      And in their triumph die like fire and powder,
      Which, as they kiss, consume."
         (Lines 9-10)
       
  5. What is the Friar's advice to Romeo in the following lines?
     
    • "Therefore love moderately: long love doth so:
      Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow."
         (Lines 14-15)
       
  6. What is the Friar's meaning in lines 35-37?
     
    • "Come, come with me and we will make short work;
      For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone
      Till Holy Church incorporate two in one."

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