The sixteenth part of this unit is an extensive review of Act II of Romeo and Juliet. Use the following information for classroom instruction.
Use the text Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Any edition will work. The text can be found online here or may be downloaded for free here.
Have students—individually—review the following vocabulary from Act II:
- Demesnes, Invocation, Envious, Discourses, Enmity
- Prorogued, Enquire, Perjuries, Repose, Baleful
- Intercession, Rancour, Minim, Passado, Punto
- Pox, Lisping, Cheveril, Ell, Versal, Jaunce, Blazon
Next, divide the class into small groups and have them review the following questions:
Act II, Prologue
- How has Romeo’s view on Rosaline changed? Explain.
- What have Romeo and Juliet realized? Explain.
- What does the couplet point out in regards to love? Provide examples.
Act II, Scene I
- This scene serves as an intermission between Romeo and Juliet’s first and second meeting. What does it reveal about Romeo? Provide examples.
- Are Mercutio and Benvolio aware of Romeo’s change of heart? Why or why not? Draw on examples from the text.
Act II, Scene II
- Describe the romantic nature of the balcony scene. What type of emotional impact does it have on both Romeo and Juliet?
- What is the symbolism of the moon in this scene? Why does Romeo swear by it? Why does Juliet warn against swearing by it?
- How does this love scene transform Romeo and Juliet from simple youths to more mature beings? Explain.
- What role does light and darkness play in this scene? Use examples from the text.
Act II, Scene III
- How is Friar Lawrence characterized when first introduced? Provide examples.
- What does Friar Lawrence symbolize? Explain.
Act II, Scene IV
- How does Romeo’s changed nature affect his duel of wits with Mercutio? Explain.
- How does the Nurse’s speech change? Provide examples.
- What is the purpose of this scene? Explain while using support from the text.
Act II, Scene V
- How has Juliet’s attitude changed in this scene? Provide examples.
- How is the Nurse characterized in this scene? What is the purpose of her role? Explain.
Act II, Scene VI
- What is the relationship between irony and foreshadowing here? Be specific.
- What does Juliet’s behavior say about her love for Romeo? Explain.
- What philosophy does Friar Lawrence believe youth has difficulty following? Why is this so?
- Provide examples of the theme youth versus age from this scene.
Then have students complete the Act II Literary Term Crossword Puzzle.
Finally—as a class—go over the slideshow (included in this article with more elaborate points) which provides more items for review. It is titled “Romeo and Juliet Part Sixteen.”
- Slide 1 (Title Page)
- Slide 2 (Act II, Scene I Review Questions)
- Slide 3 (Act II, Scene II Review Questions)
- Slide 4 (Act II, Scene III Review Questions)
- Slide 5 (Act II, Scene IV Review Questions)
- Slide 6 (Act II, Scene V Review Questions)
- Slide 7 (Act II, Scene VI Review Questions)
- Slide 8 (Act II Mini Quiz)
- Slide 9 (Act II Mini Quiz Continued)
- Slide 10 (Act II Mini Quiz Continued)
- Slide 11 (Act II Mini Quiz Continued)
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