Characters and Motivations
Why does Tybalt want to fight Romeo?
Tybalt wants to fight Romeo because he feels insulted that Romeo attended the Capulet party uninvited, and because Tybalt just hates the Montagues and is short tempered so he would find any excuse to fight one of them.
What happens to Mercutio during his fight with Tybalt?
Mercutio is fatally wounded by Tybalt, who stabs him under Romeo’s arm.
How does Act 3 illustrate the theme of impulsivity and its consequences?
Romeo acts impulsively by avenging Mercutio’s death without thinking of the consequences, whcih leads to his banishment and further complications in his marriage to Juliet.
Why does Lady Capulet think Juliet is upset in Act 3, Scene 5?
Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is mourning Tybalt’s death and seeking revenge on Romeo, not realizing Juliet is actually upset over Romeo’s banishment.
Who says, “A plague o’ both your houses!” And what does it mean?
Mercutio says this as he is dying, cursing both the Montagues and Capulets for their feud, which he blames for his death.
Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt at first?
Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt because he is now secretly married to Juliet, Tybalt’s cousin, and feels they are family.
What is Romeo’s punishment after killing Tybalt?
The Prince punishes Romeo by banishing him from Verona instead of sentencing him to death.
Why is the ring that Juliet sends to Romeo significant?
The ring symbolizes Juliet’s love, loyalty, and forgiveness, even after he killed her cousin, showing her commitment to their marriage.
How does Lord Capulet react when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?
He becomes furious and threatens to disown her if she doesn’t obey his wishes.
What does Juliet mean when she says, “O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!” After learning about Tybalt’s death?
Juliet is expressing her conflicting feelings of shock and betrayal, as Romeo, whom she loves, has killed her cousin Tybalt.
What causes Mercutio to fight Tybalt?
Mercutio fights Tybalt because he is angry that Tybalt is insulting Romeo who refuses to defend himself.
What does Juliet send to Romeo as a symbol of her love and forgiveness?
Juliet sends Romeo a ring as a symbol of her love and forgiveness.
What does Romeo‘s reaction to his banishment reveal about his character?
Romeo’s reaction shows his immaturity and emotional intensity; he sees banishment as worse than death because it means separation from Juliet.
What does the Nurse advise Juliet to do after her parents insist she marry Paris?
The Nurse advises Juliet to marry Paris, suggesting that he is a better match than banished Romeo.
Who says, “I am fortune’s fool!” And in what context?
Romeo says this after killing Tybalt, realizing that fate has led him to a disastrous action that he cannot undo.
How does Juliet react when she learns about Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment?
Juliet is devastated and conflicted; she feels torn between her loyalty to her family and her love for Romeo, but she ultimately sides with Romeo.
What decision to Lord and Lady Capulet make for Juliet in Act 3, Scene 4?
They decide that Juliet will marry Paris on Thursday, believing it will help her overcome her grief.
How does the concept of fate play a role in Act 3?
Fate seems to control the tragic events, as Romeo’s attempts to avoid fighting only escalate the conflict, leading to Mercutio’s death and ultimately his own banishment.
How does Juliet feel after the Nurse suggests she marry Paris?
Juliet feels betrayed by the Nurse, who had previously supported her love for Romeo, and decides to turn to Friar Laurence for help instead.
What does Romeo mean when he says, “There is no world without Verona walls”?
Romeo is saying that being banished from Verona, and therefore separated from Juliet, feels like a fate worse than death.
What reason does Benvolio give to the Prince for the events that led to Tybalt’s death?
Benvolio explains that Tybalt started the fight, which escalated when Romeo tried to intervene, resulting in Tybalt killing Mercutio and Romeo avenging him.
What is Friar Laurence’s plan to help Romeo after he is banished?
Friar Laurence plans for Romeo to spend the night with Juliet and then escape to Mantua, where he will wait until they can announce the marriage and secure a pardon.
How does Act 3 emphasize the theme of love versus loyalty?
Juliet is torn between her loyalty to her family, who mourns Tybalt, and her love for Romeo who killed him. This inner conflict tests her loyalty to both sides.
How does Juliet’s relationship with her parents change in Act 3?
Juliet’s relationship with her parents becomes strained as they force her to marry Paris, ignoring her wishes and leaving her feeling isolated and desperate.
What does Juliet mean when she says, “Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low, / As one dead in the bottom of a tomb”?
Juliet has a vision of Romeo looking as if he is dead in a tomb, foreshadowing their tragic fate and the sense of doom surrounding their relationship.