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1979-12-31
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130 lines
10
12
scene i
After the party Romeo hides from his friends by climbing over
the Capulets' orchard wall.
Mercutio mocks and teases his unseen friend but to no avail.
COMMENTARY
Again we see Mercutio's bawdy imaginative character.
His words are also filled with dramatic irony as the audience
realise what he does not that Romeo has already forgotten
Rosaline.
See Language (Notes Menu) for an explanation of Dramatic Irony.
14
scene ii
In Capulet's garden Romeo watches as Juliet appears on her
balcony and muses to herself about her new love.
Romeo steps forward and reveals himself and the two openly
discuss their love for each other.
Although Juliet fears that their love is:
too rash too unadvised too sudden
she seems convinced of Romeo's sincerity. She suggests
marriage.
Their conversation is interrupted by the Nurse's calling but
not before Juliet has arranged to send a messenger to Romeo.
4
COMMENTARY (scene ii)
Another important scene.
See Key Scenes
14
scene iii
Early in the morning Friar Lawrence is collecting herbs for
medicinal use.
He comments that as in man herbs have both good and bad
sides depending on how they are used.
Romeo arrives and tells the Friar of his new love for Juliet.
Friar Lawrence is amazed at the sudden change in his friend.
Somewhat reluctantly he agrees to perform the marriage
commenting that perhaps the alliance will:
turn your households' rancour to pure love.
He warns Romeo of the dangers of proceeding too quickly.
14
COMMENTARY (scene iii)
Friar Lawrence is the last of the major characters to be
introduced. He is a wise and cautious man and a true friend
to Romeo.
His knowledge of herbs and medicines mentioned here has
greater importance later in the play.
Notice the change in Romeo now. His love for Juliet is more
positive and his character much more alive than when he was
moping about under the spell of Rosaline.
This scene also confirms his impatient impetuous nature. He
is unlikely to heed the Friar's warning:
Wisely and slow they stumble that run fast.
11
scene iv
Mercutio and Benvolio reveal that Tybalt has challenged Romeo
to a duel. Mercutio mocks Tybalt's ability.
The new cheerful Romeo arrives and takes on Mercutio in a
match of verbal wit.
The Nurse comes to seek Romeo. He tells her to make sure Juliet
comes to Friar Lawrence's cell that afternoon to be married.
He also arranges for her to collect a rope ladder so that he
can have access to Juliet's room.
13
COMMENTARY (scene iv)
Mercutio rejoices to his friend:
Now art thou Romeo!
and indeed we marvel at the change in him.
He is now bubbling over with self-confidence and joy. He shows
a ready wit which is even a match for the mercurial Mercutio.
After the heady word-play of Romeo and Mercutio a more down-
to-earth humour is provided by the Nurse.
This scene also moves the plot along by pushing nearer the
marriage of Romeo and Juliet and by preparing us for further
violent action on the part of Tybalt.
13
scene v
Juliet waits impatiently for the return of the Nurse.
Her suspense is teasingly prolonged by the Nurse who at first
refuses to tell her Romeo's message.
At last the Nurse relents to Juliet's joy and they make
plans for that night.
COMMENTARY
A time-filling scene before the marriage.
The close relationship between Juliet and the Nurse is shown
as is Juliet's impatient character.
10
scene vi
Romeo and Friar Lawrence wait at the latter's cell for the
arrival of Juliet.
Friar Lawrence again cautions against the haste with which
things are proceeding:
These violent delights have violent ends.
Juliet arrives and Friar Lawrence leads the young lovers to
be married.
12
COMMENTARY (scene vi)
This is a short scene but it contains some important ideas.
Notice the imagery used by Friar Lawrence in his warning
against excessive haste.
Notice also the premonitions of both Romeo and Friar Lawrence
that their course of action may lead to some fearful
consequences.
The scene also has a delightful description by Juliet of her
great love for Romeo.