Scholars often debate what is called "the Porter scene," or the "knocking-at-the-gate scene," but most agree it is a typical scene of comic relief often found in Shakespeare's plays. Why do you think a scene of comic relief has been placed in this particular part of the play? What is its purpose? Why are the Porter's lines in prose rather than in poetry? What lines contain the bawdy humor often found in these scenes?

Select the correct answers. read the prologue for act ll of william shakespeare's play romeo and juliet chorus: now old desire doth in his death-bed lie, and young affection gapes to be his heir, that fail for which love groan'd for and would die, with tender juliet match'd, is now not fair. now romeo is beloved and loves again, alike betwitched 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 any where: but passion lends them power, time means, to meet tempering extremities with extreme sweet. in the previous act, romeo and juliet have fallen in love, even though their families despise one another. based on the excerpt, purposes of this prologue?