ACT II | RandJ1

JULIET

Oh how amazing these last two days have been! While I was speaking to myself about my love for Romeo, he appears under the balcony. How embarrassing! He heard my private thoughts that weren’t meant to be heard, but it turns out that he loves me just as much as I love him. I may have come off as a bit desperate in my private confession, but it’s far better than playing with his feelings. He is willing to give up his name just for our love, as would I. If only our families didn’t quarrel over foolish things, then we would be able to love each other without struggle. I insisted that if he truly loved me, he would send his confirmation of our marriage. He said he would give word at 9:00 the next day and headed off to Friar Laurence’s cell. I sent my lovely nurse to retrieve his word, but she was three hours past the hour! And to make things more frustrating, she wouldn’t give me a clear answer! That nurse loves to play around at my expense. Thankfully, she told me to rush off to Friar Laurence’s cell for confession and for marriage. This news made my heart jump with joy! I went to Friar Laurence to have my sins forgiven and to get wed. My love for Romeo has no words as it is too overpowering. Oh how love has an affect on my feelings, I would even lose my family name for it. I hope that our marriage increases our love of each other, even without the help of our families.

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STATUS: “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name! Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And i'll no longer be a Capulet.” (R&J, II:i, ln 33-36)

REPLY: Romeo and Juliet fell in love at first sight, and they felt deep romantic feelings for eachother. Juliet expressed her love for Romeo, and wanted to make sure Romeo felt the same way about her, and was serious about a forbidden relationship. Juliet wants Romeo to prove he feels the same way about her, and they would both give up their family names if it meant they could be together.

STATUS: “O, be some other name! What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (R&J, II:ii, ln 42-44)

REPLY: Juliet, knowing she couldn't love her sworn enemy, a Montague, tries to convince herself that a name has nothing to do with the person. She knew she felt romantic feelings for Romeo, and she would not let a name stand in a way of their true love.

STATUS: “Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable. Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow, by one that i'll procure to come to thee, where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; and all my fortunes at thy foot i'll lay and follow thee my lord throughout the world.” (R&J, II:ii, ln 142-148)

REPLY: Romeo made Juliet happier than she had ever been before, and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him. They were so deeply in love with each other that Juliet wanted a marriage very early in their relationship, because she was overcome with love and lust for Romeo.

STATUS: “O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly own, i'll frown, and be perverse, and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world.” (R&J, II:ii, ln 93-97)

REPLY: As the relationship between Romeo and Juliet grew stronger, with both of their burning passions driving them closer together, Juliet was afraid at the rate of the relationship was going. She thought Romeo would think she was not serious about a romantic relationship, and think of her as another girl he could take advantage of.

the NURSE

Oh how this day has been so hectic! I have been on my feet, stressed out, with an aching body. But who am I to say something, like anyone cares for me. I am here to care for them.

My dear Juliet, how I love her so much, but how she can be such a handful! She has me on my feet, running around all day. My aging body cannot handle all this. Ever since last night, she has got me roaming all of the orchard and fair Verona. After the feast, she headed straight to her room, but seconds later she was nowhere to be found. I cried and cried her name, but no response. I yelled the word Madam more that night, then I have in a month. The next morning, I come to find out Juliet was with the man she claims to love, Romeo. Juliet sent me to find Romeo and fetch word from him about marriage. I was walking around town, along with Peter, trying to find Juliet’s lover. I had not been there for nearly two minutes, and those silly friends of his already began with jokes. How inappropriate they can be. One young man came up to me and began to say these untasteful sexual jokes to me. He treated me as if I was one of those loose women, just flaunting my breasts and genitalia out. My god! What type of men are roaming these streets now? Soon enough I found Romeo and asked for his message. I was supposed to tell Juliet to meet Romeo at Friar Laurence’s cell tomorrow to confess her sins and finally be married. Which I wonder why Juliet must confess any sins, she is free of them. My wonderful Juliet is not guilty of anything, but love. Not only did I have to deliver news, I had to leave a rope ladder for Romeo to climb and be able to see Juliet that night. As if it weren’t enough for me to be a messenger roaming Verona with my old bones and tired lungs, but now I must wait for his men and find a ladder to put on the wall. I wasn’t done yet, I warned Romeo to mean what he said to Juliet. If he shall lead her into a fool’s paradise, that would be a crime because she is so young. Tricking her would be such evil and poor behavior. I returned home, tired and out of breath, running is not easy on this body of mine. All of a sudden, Juliet began bombarding me with questions. She was more eager than a dog waiting to fetch a toy. Good lord, how impatient and annoying she was. I was smart enough to play a trick on her, putting on a sad face making it seem like the news was bad. Oh how funny it was to see her panic! As I rested, she could not stop talking and asking questions! She has made a choice she doesn't even know how to make. Romeo’s face and body is better than any man’s, yet he is not polite. Oh but it did not stop there, I was still complaining of how I ached, if she shall make me run, then she shall hear me groan. I was not going to give up the news that fast. Juliet was getting angry, especially when I was changing subjects quicker than a racehorse. I think she had enough once I asked for her mom, how funny it is to pick on someone. She gave me a back rub, which was good enough for me to tell her. She had a man waiting to be her husband, Oh how her face lit up! It was so lovely to see her so happy.

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STATUS: “What she bid me to say, / I will keep to myself; but first let me tell ur, if ye should her / into a fool’s paradise.” (R&J, II:iiii ln 142-144)

REPLY: The nurse tells Romeo about her concerns about whether his vows to Juliet were true to heart. The nurse has a strong emotional connection to Juliet, and doesn’t want her to get hurt by a lustful boy.

STATUS: “Good heart, and I’ faith I will tell her as much. Lord, / Lord! she will be a joyful woman.” (R&J, II: iiii ln 150-151)

REPLY: The nurse is happy to hear that Romeo had told the truth to Juliet about his love for her, and is excited to tell her. The nurse is full of joy that Juliet will be happy with Romeo.

STATUS: “Lord, how my head aches! What a head have I! / It beats as it would fall in twenty fall in twenty pieces. / My back o’ t’other side — ah, my back, my back!” (R&J, II:iiiii ln 47-49)

REPLY: The nurse wants to add the Juliet’s suspense, and purposely stalls to tell Romeo’s answer. The nurse uses the excuses such as her joints and back hurting, and tries to get Juliet to rub her back.

FRIAR LAURENCE

Oh what a day it has been. My son Romeo has just returned and he was not in bed this past night. I asked him where he was and he pretty much said he was out. The way he says it makes me think he was out doing “things” with Rosaline. He quickly corrects himself and says he was with Lord Capulet’s daughter. What shocks me is how quickly he changes his mind. I believe that he never truly loved Rosaline, but he only lusted after her. The next thing you know, Romeo asks me to marry him and Juliet that very same day. It brings me joy to see his young love, but I do believe that he moved on from Rosaline at an abnormally fast pace, which was basically in one day. I hope he does not regret this huge decision of marriage since it was made so rashly. I decided to marry them, not for love, but as a possible way to terminate the rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets and bring peace to Verona once and for all. They share an extremely passionate love that makes me very happy to observe, but I fear that since their love is so passionate, their spark will die out quickly. Romeo and Juliet’s love might even explode, like when fire and powder meet, possibly resulting in a catastrophic event that will change their lives forever. In order to prevent any terrible events from happening, I beg Romeo and Juliet to love moderately, so that their love can flourish and last as long as it possibly can. I wish them a beautiful and joyful marriage and a content life.

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STATUS: “But come, young waverer, come go with me./ In one respect I’ll thy assistant be;/ For this alliance may so happy prove/ To turn your households’ rancor to pure love./” (R&J, II:iii ln. 89-92).

REPLY: In this quote, Friar Laurence is agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet not for the sake of their love, but for the sake of resolving the conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets, which will ultimately bring peace to Verona. This quote is important because it demonstrates Friar Laurence's desire for peace in Verona, which will potentially save lives since any more brawls will result in execution. The desire to save lives and bring peace shows the good-heartedness in Friar Laurence.

STATUS: “Is Rosaline, thou that didst love so dear/ so soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies/ Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes./” (R&J, II:iii. ln. 66-68).

REPLY: Has Romeo forgot his deep love for Rosaline so soon? If he got over her so fast, he must have not truly loved her. Friar Laurence is saying that Romeo never truly loved Rosaline and that he only lusted after her. He is getting upset that Romeo is “falling in love” so easily.

STATUS: “These violent delights have violent ends/ And in their triumph die, like fire and powder…” “Therefore love moderately” (R&J, II:vi ln. 9-14).

REPLY: These sudden joys have sudden endings. Friar Laurence is telling Romeo to take things slow with Juliet. This is a piece of advice he is giving to Romeo so that Romeo’s relationship with Juliet doesn’t fall into pieces. He believes that their spark of love will burn out quickly if their love is too passionate.

STATUS: “Come, come with me, and we will make short work;/ For, by your leaves, you shall not stay alone/ Till Holy Church incorporate two in one.” (R&J, II:viln.35-37).

REPLY: Friar Laurence tells them to follow him and he will not take very long in marrying them. He tells them that they will no longer be living separate lives, but the church will join them as man and wife forever. They will become one in the eyes of God. Their marriage will represent their spiritual merging with one another, which is necessary for love.

MERCUTIO

It’s your boy Mercutio doing my weekly blog! So today, Benvolio and I were strolling through Capulet’s orchard looking for Romeo. We were being our usual dirty selves and I had this wonderful idea to lure Romeo out of his hiding spot by making jokes about Rosaline’s genitals. Of course, Benvolio scolded me. He was all like “Bro you’re going to upset him even more” and I was like “Bro chill out. He will only get angry if I’m making dirty jokes about Rosaline doing it with someone else! But I was making them about him doing it with her so he’s fine with it!” I couldn’t get Romeo out of his hiding spot, so we just left. On our way out we saw a medlar tree, and you know me. I just had to make a joke about how the fruits look like female genitalia. After a night of dirty jokes and looking for Romeo, it got late so I just went home because I wasn’t going to sleep in the cold orchard.

The next day, Benvolio and I were walking down the street, still looking for Romeo when Benvolio told me that Tybalt had sent a letter to Romeo challenging him to a duel. That was funny to me ‘cause Romeo couldn’t fight if he was already dead. Remember how he was stabbed in the heart with Cupid’s arrow? Ya know what I’m saying? And then, right on cue, Romeo walked up to us. And get this, he was no longer upset! As usual, we teased him about being in love when, all of a sudden, a servant carrying a large fan wearing a bunch of coats came toward us. Let me tell you something. She needed that fan to cover her face ‘cause she was not fair at all. I’m telling you she was a bawd. After teasing her for a while, Benvolio and I got bored so we just left. I think Romeo stayed behind ‘cause he needed to talk to her, but whatever man. What was so important that she was running like that.

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STATUS: “I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes,/ By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,/ By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh,/ And the demesnes that there adjacent lie,/ That in thy likeness thou appear to us!” (R&J, II:iii ln 17-21)

REPLY: In this quote, Mercutio is making fun of Romeo in Capulet’s orchard so Romeo can come over to him. Mercutio is unaware of the events that took place at the Capulet party and does not know about Juliet so he is still poking fun at him for his crush on Rosaline. He describes Rosaline in a dirty way. For example, when he says “ By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh,/And the demesnes that there adjacent lie,...” (R&J, II:iii ln 19-20) he is referencing to her female genitals and how they are adjacent to her long, quivering legs.

STATUS: “This cannot anger him. 'Twould anger him/To raise a spirit in his mistress' circle/ Of some strange nature, letting it there stand/Till she had laid it and conjured it down./That were some spite. My invocation/Is fair and honest. In his mistress' name/I conjure only but to raise up him.” (R&J, II:iii ln 23-29)

REPLY: In this quote, Mercutio is telling Benvolio it would anger Romeo if he spoke about another “spirit” engaging in sexual actions with Rosaline. He is explaining to Benvolio that he meant no harm when he talked about Rosaline in a sexual way and that he only did it so Romeo would come out of his hiding spot in the orchard.

STATUS: “If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark./Now will he sit under a medlar tree/And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit/ As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone./Oh, Romeo, that she were, O, that she were/ An open et cetera, thou a pop'rin pear!” (R&J, II:iii ln 33-38)

REPLY: Mercutio is talking about a medlar tree which grows fruits that when turned upside down, look like female genitals. Mercutio wishes Romeo’s mistress, Rosaline, were his.

ROMEO

The present day, i did realize yond i hadst to seeth h'r again. I visit'd h'r by climbing up

the walls of h'r fath'r's 'rchard, all thanketh to the wings of love. At first, we w're not acknown of each oth'r's presence, howev'r, once we kneweth we hath heard each oth'r, we w're startl'd. We then smoth'r'd each oth'r with compliments, and did talk about the future. We both did realize yond our titles art nay obstacle, and we shouldst beest free to loveth. I did confess yond I wouldst rath'r kicketh the bucket by the hands of h'r house than liveth without h'r loving me. T's a wond'r yond the lady too, wouldst kicketh the bucket to p'rs'rve our loveth f'rev'r. If 't be true thither wast a way of knowing who the happiest sir on Earth wast, I can't expect anybody but myself. I has't hath found the perfect and most quite quaint mistress who loves me back. The love is so stout that it hath shielded me from Rosaline, who now I only see as like a toad, ugly and venomous compared to mine love, Juliet. I feeleth liketh h'r smileth can disrupt any arrow fir'd 'gainst me. We art to beest wed soon, in Friar Laurence's cell. That sir concurred to marry us because that gent wanteth peace in Verona. That gent wanteth the fights to cease. I cannot argue with that gent. That gent is one of the most wise men I knoweth, and that gent advises that we taketh a few steps back in our love. The valorous sir hadst hath said that those who rush, stumble quick. But, I can't imagine losing my love for Juliet. My love for her is and always will be endless. I hope she can say the same about me. Even with her being a Capulet, I still love her more than I will ever love anybody.

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STATUS: “It is the East and Juliet is the sun!/ Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon...” (R&J, II:ii ln. 3-4). 

REPLY: In this quotation, Romeo is saying that he is looking eastward, and when he sees Juliet, he compares her to the rising sun. Romeo also mentions that Diana, being the goddess of the moon and virginity, is jealous of Juliet, and only fools hold onto their virginity. This is an important quotation because it illustrates the immense feelings that Romeo has for Juliet. It also foreshadows that Romeo will do anything to preserve his love for her.

STATUS: “With love’s light wings did I o’erperch these walls;/ For stony limits cannot hold love out,/And what love can do, that dares love attempt./Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me” (R&J, II:ii ln. 66-69). 

REPLY: In this quotation, Romeo tells Juliet that his love for her gave him the ability (wings) to climb over the wall. He also tells her that the love he has for Juliet will overcome any barriers, including the orchard wall he climbed, and even her family. When he says “what love can do, that dares love attempt,” he is saying that whatever he wants to do, his love will motivate him to do it. He tells her that the love he has for her has no limits and not even her family is a barrier.

Status: “Did my heart love till now?Forswear it, sight!- For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night”(R&J, I:iiiii, ln. 50-51).

Reply: At the party, Romeo saw Juliet. Here he forgot all about Rosaline, and asked himself if he had ever loved anyone. If he had, his eyes were lying to him, because he had never seen true beauty until that night. He instantly fell in love with Juliet, thus beginning the story of Romeo and Juliet’s love life.

STATUS: “I have night’s cloak to hide me from their sight;/ And but thou love me, let them find me here./ My life were better ended by their hate/ Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love” (R&J, II:ii ln. 75-78). 

REPLY: In this quotation, we are able to see how desperate Romeo is for Juliet's love. In the scene, Romeo tells Juliet that if she doesn’t love him, than he would rather die from the hatred of the opposing houses than live without her love. This shows that Romeo is willing to put his life on the line for Juliet. This foreshadows the coming events where Romeo really does end his own life because he wants to be with Juliet forever, without any obstacles shielding them from each other. 

STATUS: “Bid her devise/ Some means to come to shrift this afternoon;/And there she shall at Friar Laurence’s cell/ Be shrived and married. Here is for thy pains”(R&J, II:v In. 155-158).

REPLY: In this quotation, Romeo goes to Nurse and tells her to have Juliet go to Friar Laurence’s cell that afternoon. This is very important because it is not only the concluding scene of Act II, but it is the spiritual merging that occurs when two people become one couple.

BENVOLIO

The past two days have really been something, a real rollercoaster of emotions! I am quite upset that Romeo has been leaving Mercutio and I to be with his ‘love’, Rosaline. He just needs to realize that there are plenty of fish in the sea. But it’s not his fault that Rosaline wanted to remain chaste. But it makes me angry that he chooses her over us, his best friends. We are always gonna be there for him no matter what. Girls come and go but friends are forever. Even when Mercutio and I were looking for Romeo and I knew where he was, yet he didn’t even respond to my calls. It angers me that I care for him so much and he does not even give one whit. Mercutio started taunting him with her certain body parts and other things I would rather not mention and he still wouldn’t respond. It didn’t work, so we left him to mope by himself. There is no use looking for someone that does not want to be found.

The next day, I found out that Tybalt, the cousin of our rivals, the Capulets, sent Romeo a letter, challenging him to a duel. Just because we crashed their party. I don’t see why it was such a big deal. To be quite honest I don’t even know why Montages and the Capulets hate each other. And of course, Romeo did not know of this because he never went home as he was with his lover, Rosaline. Sometimes I worry about him. He can get himself in to so much trouble and he doesn’t even know it. He just needs to slow down because Tybalt is a deadly fighter, as Mercutio tells me. Then finally, Romeo showed up, his spirits lifted surprisingly. Mercutio started teasing him again and he crossed the boundary too far, as he always does! I told him to stop, but once again he is Mercutio and he will never stop at a joke. Don’t even get me started when Romeo and Mercutio are together they just don’t know when to stop, but at the same time they balance each other out. Sometimes I feel a little left out but I try not to dwell on it.

But then this old hag came and we all teased her, well Mercutio teased her. I tried so hard not to laugh when he called the Nurse ugly because she was blocking her face with her fan, I just couldn’t bare to laugh. The latter day made me feel better than the last two days because Romeo finally has acknowledged and spent time with us, for the first time in a long time. I told you the last couple days have been a ride!

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STATUS: “Come, he hath himself among these trees/ To be consorted with the humorous night./ Blind is his love, and best befits the dark” (R&J, II:i ln. 30-32).

REPLY: Benvolio questions Romeo’s love for Rosaline, saying that Romeo’s love is blind, meaning that he thinks of Rosaline as his one true love without knowing anything about her. He is only attracted to her beauty and crystallizes her perfections since they don’t see each other that often. So the mystery is still alive.

STATUS: “Not to his father’s. I spoke with his man” (R&J, II:iv ln. 3).

REPLY: Benvolio shows that he cares for his cousin and one of his best friend’s, Romeo. This quote also shows that Benvolio is organized, prepared, and knowledgeable because he answers the question of where Romeo is, or rather, isn’t. He had already checked Romeo’s usual spots earlier and was prepared for the question. It shows that he doesn’t want to be caught off guard without an answer.

STATUS: “Stop there, stop there!/...Thou wouldst else have made thy tale large” (R&J, II:iv ln. 82 & 84).

REPLY: Benvolio is telling Mercutio to be quiet, this shows how close their relationship is because Benvolio feels comfortable enough Mercutio to tell him when to stop talking. This quotation also gives us insight on how Mercutio sometimes does not know when to stop talking, so Benvolio acts as if he was his parent and tries to quiet him .