What are the challenges Romeo and Juliet face going forward, according to the Chorus at the beginning of Act 2, and what will assist them? After Romeo runs and hides from his friends in Act 2, Scene 1, Mercutio teases him. Summarize two or more of the jokes that Mercutio makes at Romeo’s expense, and explain how the jokes reveal Mercutio’s feelings about love.

In one of the most well-known lines in literature, Juliet says “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” (Act 2, Scene 2, l. 000). What does Juliet mean here? Summarize the remainder of her speech in lines 33–49, explaining her perspective on his name.

In Act 1, Romeo says of himself, “I am not here / This is not Romeo” (Act 1, Scene 000, ll. 000–000) and here in Act 2, he says “I never will be Romeo” (Act 2, Scene 2, ll. 000–000). What do these lines reveal about Romeo and his own sense of self and connection to family?

Explain what Romeo means when he says, “My life were better ended by their hate / Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love” (ll. 00–00). What does this illustrate about his character?

Act 2, Scene 3 begins with a lengthy monologue by Friar Laurence about plants and nature. Based on the events of the play so far, what interpretation can you make about the purpose of the monologue here?

In Act 2, Scene 3, how does Friar Laurence react when he learns that Romeo is now in love with Juliet, not Rosaline? What does this suggest both about Friar Laurence and Romeo?

What important plot development do we learn from Benvolio about Tybalt at the beginning of Act 2, Scene 4? What do Mercutio and Benvolio think Romeo will do?

Look at what Mercutio says to Romeo in Act 2, Scene 4, line 00, “now art thou Romeo.” What does he mean by this, and how should we interpret the line in light of similar ways that Romeo has described himself in the play so far?