Romeo and Juliet: Novel Summary: Act II, Prologue-Act II, Scene 1

Act II, Prologue: The prologue summarizes the events of Act I.  Romeo's love for Rosaline is dead and his love for Juliet is born.  The feud between their families will make it very difficult for the lovers to be together but their love will help them find a way.
Act II, Scene 1: Romeo is alone outside Capulet's orchard wall.  When Mercutio and Benvolio enter, trying to find him, he leaps over the wall.  Mercutio mocks Romeo's lovesickness for Rosaline.  Neither Mercutio nor Benvolio know of Romeo's newfound love for Juliet.  They do see Romeo's obsession with the ideal of love, not with Rosaline herself.  Mercutio, in his typical style, refers to Rosaline in vulgar terms, which make Juliet seem pure in comparison.  Benvolio worries that Mercutio is going to anger Romeo with his vulgarity but Mercutio feels his position is fair and honest.