The Norton Act 2, Scene 2 (in Friar Lawrence's cell):
The Friar is gathering weeds, herbs, and flowers, and shows his deep and skilled knowledge of their various properties. Romeo visits the friar so early in the morning, that the friar asks if Romeo has been with Rosaline. Romeo explains his love for Juliet and asks the friar to marry them that very day. The friar questions Romeo and Juliet's love--it is fickle and sometimes fleeting (similiar feelings to that of Juliet in the previous scene). Romeo assures the friar that Juliet returns his love whereas Rosaline did not. The Friar agrees to marry the two lovers in hopes that their marriage will bring the two warring families together and end the terrible feud.
According to eNotes, Act 2, scene 2 is the famous balcony scene between Romeo and Juliet. According to my version in the Norton Anthology, it is the scene immediately following the balcony scene (with the Friar and Romeo).
Balcony scene: Romeo has fled to Juliet's orchard. Benvolio and Mercutio come after him. Mercutio brutally mocks Romeo's feelings for Rosaline. Romeo, hiding in the orchard, has heard every word: "He jests at scars that never felt a wound." (Line 43) Juliet appears to him. He is overtaken by her beauty. Juliet begins to speak (she does not know Romeo is there). She is distraught that Romeo is a Montague, her family's sworn enemy. She would easily give up her name if it meant they could be together. Romeo responds, startling Juliet. His love for her brought him to the orchard: "With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls,/For stony limits cannot hold love out..." (lines 108-109). Despite her warnings of danger, Romeo will not leave her--he is confident that their love will protect him. Juliet is flattered by Romeo's words, and admits that she too loves him. She is concerned his love may be false or fleeting and that she was won too quickly. Romeo swears that his love is true, but Juliet still thinks they could be moving too fast. Despite her concerns, she expresses her love for Romeo and tells him that she will send someone the following day at 9:00 to see if he intends to marry her. They depart, and Romeo goes off to Friar Lawrence's.
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Already a member? Log in here.