May 7/8

II.ii Balcony Text-Dependent Questions

1. (II.ii. 1) Why would Romeo say these words? What do these words mean?

2. (II.ii.2-28) What extended metaphor (conceit) does Romeo use to describe Juliet?

3.(II.ii.35-38) What two courses of action does Juliet contemplate? What insight does Juliet come to over the course of her speech?

4. (II.ii.38-49) Rewrite the line “that which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” using different senses (“that which we call . . . would taste/look/sound . . .”).

5. (II.ii.62-74) The height and difficulty of the orchard wall is cited by Juliet as one obstacle Romeo had to overcome to find her. What is the more worrisome concern she raises? What is Romeo’s reply?

6. (II.ii.91-107) Juliet asks Romeo if he loves her, but then goes on to qualify her question. What rejoinders does she add to it, and how does she reveal her own state of mind in doing so?

7. (II.ii.108-115) Why does Juliet reject Romeo, swearing that he loves her “by yonder blessed moon”? How is the issue of Romeo pledging his love ultimately resolved in these lines?

8. (II.ii.118-124) Ask students to translate these lines from Juliet into their own words, carefully considering sentence structure as they do so.