Act 2 scene 4

Act 2 scene 4 summary of key points:

• Benvolio tells Mercutio that Tybaly has sent a challenge to Romeo.

• Romeo enters and there is some good-natured banter between them.

• The Nurse enters looking for Romeo and warns him against deceiving Juliet.

• Romeo reassures the Nurse of his honourable intentions and enlists her help in getting Juliet to come to confession that afternoon, where he is to marry her.

Why is this scene important?

• We see the consequences of Tybalt's rage over Romeo's appearance at the masked ball.

• The warm friendship between Romeo and his male friends is clear.

• Although he has fun with the Nurse, Romeo is very businesslike in organising the details of the wedding ceremony.