<em>Romeo and Juliet</em>: Act II Educational Resources K12 Learning, Literary Studies, Reading Lesson Plans, Activities, Experiments, Homeschool Help

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

"O Romeo, O Romeo. Wherefore art thou Romeo?"

This is perhaps the most recognized line in Shakespeare's work. Read this line in the context of Act II, Scene 2, to find out if Romeo's name impedes the budding love of this young couple!

In Act I, the young, proud Romeo Montague is too quick to forsake his chaste, yet unseen, Rosaline for the fair young Capulet.

However, do you think Romeo was really in love with Rosaline? Why or why not?

It is at the masquerade ball that Romeo, while expressing his almost juvenile affection for Rosaline, spots Juliet and is swept up by a wave of emotions that can only be explained as love. Although Juliet shares this affection for Romeo, things are not so simple for the young lovers.

The house of Montague, to which Romeo belongs, and the house of Capulet, to which Juliet belongs, have been engaged in a legendary feud, thus making theirs a forbidden love for the ages.

Yet, could there be hope for this young couple?

Lady Capulet speaks of not condemning the son for his father's sins. Read on to see if Romeo can handle this situation like the man he claims to be or if he is the timid boy who hides behind a swagger.

Before you delve into Act II, it is necessary to define a few words from the scene since Shakespeare was known for using a wide vocabulary in his plays.

Using Merriam-Webster or another dictionary, look up each word in the list that follows, and write down the definition. Then, use each in an original sentence, making sure the part-of-speech and definition are correct in the context.

Act II Vocabulary Words

gape	doff	gyve	rancor
purblind	impute	osier	sententious
countervail	vestal	procure	shrift

Are you ready to begin reading Act II of Romeo and Juliet?

If you have a hard copy, you may read that. However, this online version of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is a revised version that normalizes the spelling of words and includes line numbers.

Remember, you should be reading the play aloud to hear the dialogue as a verbal expression.

To help inspire your reading, watch the following video clip from Act II, Scene 2, which is known as the famous Balcony Scene, when Romeo and Juliet meet again after the ball.