In Acts 2, Scenes 1 and 2 of 'Romeo and Juliet', Romeo's friends search for him while he secretly loves Juliet, moving from darkness associated with his previous love, Rosaline, to the light symbolized by Juliet. The iconic balcony scene reveals Juliet's willingness to forsake her family for love, prompting Romeo to propose marriage, highlighting the urgency of their feelings despite their brief acquaintance. Their interactions occur in darkness, symbolizing secrecy, as they navigate the dangers posed by their feuding families.

1. Romeo and Julietby William ShakespeareAct 2 Scenes 1 & 2By Erin Salona

2. Act 2, PrologueSummarizes Act 1Addresses the speed in which Romeo and Juliet have fallen in loveMakes fun at the way in which Romeo abandoned Rosaline quickly for JulietNow old desire doth in his death-bed lie,And young affection gapes to be his heir;That fair for which love groan'd for and would die,With tender Juliet match'd, is now not fair.

3. Act 2, Scene 1Romeo’s friends, Mercutio and Benvolio, go looking for Romeo.

4. They think that Romeo is still in love with Rosaline.

5. Benvolio and Mercutio do not know that Romeo is headed to the Capulet orchard.

6. They do not know Romeo is now in love with Juliet

7. Mercutio calls out to Romeo in search of him by teasing him about Rosaline’s seductive beauty.

8. Romeo hides.

9. Benvolio asks that he leave Romeo alone.

10. After much joking around, Mercutio and Benvolio give up and go home to bed. Mercutio: I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes,By her high forehead and her scarlet lip,By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thighAnd the demesnes that there adjacent lie,That in thy likeness thou appear to us!

11. Act 2, Scene 1Romeo symbolically separates from his friends in this scene when he jumps over the Capulet wall.

12. He cannot let his friends know he is in love with Juliet.

13. For Mercutio, love is a physical conquest.