Name: ________________________________________
Act 3: scene i
- How has the audience been prepared for the dueling scene that occurs at the opening of Act 3?
- What have you learned about Tybalt and Mercutio that makes their actions in this scene consistent with their characters?
- Why does Romeo refuse to accept Tybalt’s challenge?
- How does Mercutio interpret Romeo’s action?
- Why does Mercutio decide to fight Tybalt?
- How does Romeo try to stop the fight? What is the result of his interference?
- What reasons does Benvolio give to convince Romeo to run away?
- Is Benvolio’s account of the fight accurate? Explain your answer.
- How do you know that it’s true that Romeo “but newly entertained revenged”?
- What is Lady Capulet’s immediate reaction to Benvolio’s testimony?
- According to Lady Capulet, what really happened?
- What can you conclude about Lady Capulet from her statement?
- How does the Prince’s punishment differ from the punishment he threatened?
Act 3: scene ii
- What is Juliet impatient for?
- What misunderstanding occurs between Juliet and the Nurse?
- How does Juliet react when she learns that Romeo has killed Tybalt?
- Why does she change her mind?
- What do these reactions show about her?
- How long have Romeo and Juliet been married?
- What does the Nurse promise to do?
Act 3: scene iii-iv
- Romeo and Friar Lawrence feel differently about the Prince’s punishment of Romeo. How does each feel?
- Why does Romeo think that every cat, dog, mouse, and fly are luckier than he?
- Why won’t Romeo listen to Friar Lawrence?
- Name the five things for which Friar Lawrence scolds Romeo?
- How does the Friar plan to communicate with Romeo?
Act 3: scenes v
- How are the lark and the nightingale used in this scene?
- What foreboding does Juliet have?
- In Act I, Capulet was not eager to see Juliet married. Why has he suddenly decided to accept Paris’s offer?
- Why does Lady Capulet misinterpret Juliet’s sorrow?
- Why are Lord Capulet and his wife surprised by Juliet’s refusal to marry?
- How do they react? What choice does Capulet give to Juliet?
- What is the Nurse’s advice to Juliet?
- What sudden change does Juliet apparently undergo?
- Why doesn’t she tell the Nurse the truth?
- What does Juliet intend to do?