A street — Capulet, Paris, and the guest list

A street in Verona, an hour later. Capulet is walking with a young nobleman named Paris, a relative of the Prince, who has formally asked for Juliet's hand. Capulet's answer is gentle and qualified. Juliet is not yet fourteen — "she hath not seen the change of fourteen years" — and the world has destroyed his other children. Let two more summers pass. But, he adds, the Capulets are holding their annual feast tonight, and Paris is welcome. See her among the other women of Verona; see what light she shines in; if she consents, his consent will follow. He hands an illiterate servant a paper of names — the guest list — and tells him to find the people on it and invite them.

The servant, unable to read his master's hand, walks the street looking for someone literate. He finds Romeo and Benvolio, who are still arguing about Rosaline; Benvolio is insisting that other beautiful women exist. The servant asks Romeo to read the list aloud. Romeo reads — Signor Martino and his wife and daughters, Count Anselme and his beauteous sisters, the lady widow of Vitruvio — and arrives at Rosaline. The servant, satisfied, invites them along provided they are not Montagues, then walks off. Benvolio sees his chance.

Go to the feast, Benvolio tells Romeo. Compare Rosaline against every other beauty in Verona; you will see your "swan" turn into a "crow." Romeo refuses the comparison — he could not find a fairer face if he searched the world — but agrees to attend, in disguise, for the chance to look at Rosaline once more. The audience now knows two facts the lovers do not. Paris has asked for Juliet's hand. Romeo will be at the feast tonight where Juliet will be, but is going to look at someone else.