Fate
Do you think that Tybalt's duel challenge was Romeo's fate?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Yes, it was fate because their family were enemies and everything was building towards conflict, but Romeo still had a choice in how he responded. Also, it had to occur for the rest of the play to take place as it did.
How does the scene show the pressures of their families and societies on the characters?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The scene shows how family honor and social expectations force the characters into violence. Tybalt fights to defend his family's name, Mercutio dies protecting Romeo’s honor, and Romeo kills Tybalt out of guilt and pressure to act like a true man, even though it ruins his future with Juliet.
How do the events spoken about in the prologue start to start appearing in this scene?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The prologue talks about how the ending of the play would ultimately end in the death of both of the lovers. It also talks about how if something is over the level of moderation it will lead to bad things. In this scene, it is referring to how strong Romeo and Juliet's feelings for each other are.
Which character tries to keep the peace before the fight scene?
Benvolio tries to make sure that there isn't a conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues before the fight scene, but Mercutio provokes the conflict.
Why do you think that the prince chose to banish Romeo instead of have him killed?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
This was because the Prince realized that Romeo's actions could have been seen as avenging his family for a death caused by their enemies, showing that his actions were somewhat justified. He chose to give him a less harsh punishment because he upholded the societal normal of family loyalty.
Do you think that Romeo and Juliet have any true freedoms? Or are all of their life events controlled by external forces?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Romeo and Juliet don’t really have many true freedoms and most of their lives are controlled by family feud and society's rules, and the events around them. Even when they try to make their own decisions things still go wrong. Most of their lives are controlled by external forces and when they try to fight it its like everything is working against them.
In what ways does this fight show the expectations that were placed on men in their society?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The fight shows that men were expected to defend their honor, never back down from a challenge, and respond to insults with violence.
How does this scene become a turning point for the play?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
It changes the mood of the play to a more dark and intense plot and starts the downward spiral of events that continue to happen after this scene takes place.
What were Tybalt’s intentions for provoking Romeo?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
He wanted to make Romeo pay for crashing their party and because he caused a disturbance.
Why do you think that Mercutio inserted himself into the situation between Romeo and Tybalt?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
When Romeo is hesitant to fight Tybalt, Mercutio decides to step up and defend Romeo's and his family's honor.
Do you think that Juliet believes that fate has control over the rest of her future?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Yes, Juliet does believe that fate has control over her future. After learning that Romeo killed Tybalt and is banished, she feels torn but still loves Romeo.
How does the societal norm of family pride lead to Romeo’s violent actions?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
He believes that to uphold his family's honor he must fight Tybalt and also to avenge the death of Mercutio. The society in this time period encourages and supports getting revenge on people who have wronged you.
What chain of events lead to the duel between Mercutio and Tybalt?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The duel begins when Tybalt looks for Romeo to challenge him for crashing the Capulet party. Romeo refuses to fight, trying to keep peace because he’s secretly married to Juliet. Mercutio, thinking Romeo is being weak, steps in to fight Tybalt himself. Their fight leads to Mercutio’s death, which then causes Romeo to kill Tybalt in revenge.
How does Shakespeare portray Mercutio’s character during the fight scene?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
He is also shown to have a strong willed and impulsive character. He also is very loyal and stands up for others.
Do you think that Romeo was right for killing Tybalt?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Romeo killing Tybalt was justified because he was getting revenge for the death of Mercutio. In this setting, the idea of revenge is encouraged because of their societal values.
Was Mercutio’s death a factor that changed Romeo’s destiny? Could it have been avoided or was it fate?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Mercutio's death was a major factor that changed Romeo's destiny because it lead to him to kill Tybalt which lead to a whole new series of events that eventually affected his death. It was fate because without it the other events that were meant to happen wouldn't be able to happen throughout the play.
Why do you think that the characters believe that violence is always a solution to any issue?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The characters believe violence is the solution because their society values honor, pride, and revenge.
How does Mercutio yelling "A plague o’ both your houses," foreshadow the fate of both families?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
His cry foreshadows that both the Montagues and the Capulets will suffer because of their feud. In a way, it predicts the deaths of Romeo and Juliet and the pain both their families will face.
How do Romeo's actions in this scene show how his character has changed throughout the play?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
His actions show his change in character from youthful and lovestruck to more serious and impulsive passion.
Why do you think that Tybalt was so determined to duel Romeo?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Tybalt wanted to fight Romeo because he wanted to make him pay for trespassing at their ball.
Is the generational passing down of the feud seen as the fate of the characters?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
It is the fate of the characters because they have to uphold the same values and grudges as their parents and past relatives. The feud is a part of their life that is already predetermined for them that they basically have no control over due to their family obligations.
How does the concept of masculinity influence Mercutio and Tybalt's decisions?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The concept of masculinity influences Mercutio and Tybalt by pushing them to act tough, aggressive, and fearless.
How are some specific ways that Shakespeare foreshadows the tragic deaths of the characters during this scene?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
Mercutio's curse: When Mercutio dies he curses both families saying “A plague o’ both your houses,”
Romeo's statement after Mercutio's death, '' This day's black fate on more days doth depend, this but begins the woe others must end.''
After Juliet has a bigger reaction to Romeo's banishment instead of the death of Tybalt, what do we learn about her character?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
We learn that her love and devotion to Romeo are stronger than her ties to her family. Also, she conveys that Romeo is her only focus and the most important in her life.
What is the dramatic irony shown when Tybalt challenges Romeo?
Sample answer, up to interpretation
The dramatic irony is that the audience knows that Romeo and Tybalt have become family, but the other characters don't know this. Also, that in this society they have strong family values, and members of the same family are fighting each other.