Analysis of Act Three, Scene 1

Question 1

What does Benvolio want to do at the start of Act 3, Scene 1?
A. fight
B. go home
C. meet Romeo
D. go to a party

Answer 1

B. Benvolio suggests the Montagues go home (“retire”) because the Capulets are around.

Question 2

Which two characters die in this scene?

Answer 2

Mercutio and Tybalt die in this scene. Tybalt kills Mercutio, then Romeo kills Tybalt.

Question 3

How does Lady Capulet want the Prince to punish Romeo?

Answer 3

Lady Capulet tells the Prince to “shed blood of Montague” for Tybalt’s death, meaning that he should kill Romeo in punishment. Instead, the Prince banishes him from Verona.

Question 4

How does Romeo’s attitude towards Tybalt change in this scene?
Give examples to support your answer.

Answer 4

• At the start of Scene 1,
  Romeo has a forgiving
  attitude towards Tybalt.
  This is because, after
  Romeo’s marriage to
  Juliet, they are now
  cousins. Romeo says this
  “Doth much excuse”
  Tybalt’s behaviour and
  refuses to fight him.
• Once Mercutio is dead,
  Romeo lets “fire-eyed
  fury” rule him. In his
  emotional state, he wants
  revenge on Tybalt and no
  longer cares about their
  family connection.

Question 5

Why do you think Shakespeare chose to include humour in Mercutio’s speeches in this scene?

Answer 5

• The fact that Mercutio
  makes jokes even as he is
  dying emphasises his
  comic personality to the
  audience.
• The juxtaposition of
  Mercutio’s humour and
  his sudden severe injury
  makes his death much
  more shocking for the
  audience.