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   egraham17 Teacher
   

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   They were intended to be a ladder, by which Romeo would climb to Juliet's room. This was mentioned in Act II, Scene V, when the Nurse returns to Juliet with news from Romeo. After much moaning about her age & the tasks Juliet sets to her, she says

   "Hie you to church; I must another way,
   To fetch a ladder, by the which your love(75)
   Must climb a bird's nest soon when it is dark."

   This means that Juliet needs to get over to Friar Laurence's cell, where she and Romeo will be married. But the Nurse will go get ropes, with which to make a ladder, so Romeo can meet Juliet in the night. Of course, when the Nurse returns in Act III, Scene II, we know that Tybalt has killed Mercutio, and Romeo has killed Tybalt, so he is now banished. Thus, instead of making plans for the wedding night, the nurse laments the death of Tybalt, while Juliet cries over the loss of Romeo.

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   Posted by egraham17 on Wednesday July 8, 2009 at 1:10 PM