Shakespeare Literature

Romeo & Juliet

Act 2, prologue and scene 1	Name:_______________________________________

Prologue

Mark all the iambic feet (unstressed “u” and stressed “/”) and the rhyme scheme in the Act 2 prologue:

Now old desire doth in his deathbed lie, (A)

And young affection gapes to be his heir.(B)

That fair for which love groaned for and would die (A)

With tender Juliet matched, is now not fair. (B)

Now Romeo is beloved and loves again,

Alike bewitchèd by the charm of looks,

But to his foe supposed he must complain,

And she steal love’s sweet bait from fearful hooks.

Being held a foe, he may not have access

To breathe such vows as lovers use to swear.

And she as much in love, her means much less

To meet her new beloved anywhere.

But passion lends them power, time means, to meet,

Tempering extremities with extreme sweet.

Identify and discuss the contrasts that exist within the prologue to Act 2 below (find as many as possible):

Summarize this prologue’s message in your own words:

2.1

Much of the imagry (language that brings images to the reader's mind) in this play is Biblical. What does Romeo refer to when he says: “turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out?” (Think about the origins of Adam)

His companions, not realizing that he has taken their advice and found a new love at the masked ball, go looking for him where he's been accustomed to go to pine for Rosaline. Mercutio calls to him in jest. Why is he trying to find Romeo?

How does the audience know that Romeo's friends don't know about Romeo's new love?

What kind of attitudes do Romeo’s friends have in this scene?

Mercutio:

Benvolio:

This scene is short but pivotal because Romeo's jumping the orchard wall symbolizes his turning on his companions. What is Romeo rejecting about them?