english (shakespere, act 3 scene 1-4)

Question 1

Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt at the beginning of this scene?

Answer 1

Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt because he has just married his cousin Juliet and he is now his kinsmen.

Question 2

Why does Mercutio choose to fight Tybalt in Romeo’s place?

Answer 2

Mercutio decides to fight Tybalt himself because he can’t stand the fact that Romeo is not defending his masculine honour

Question 3

Explain how Mercutio ends up getting stabbed.

Answer 3

Tybalt goes to stab Romeo but his sword goes through the empty space between his side and arm and into Mercutio’s gut.

Question 4

What does Mercutio mean when he says: “A plague o’ both your houses”?

Answer 4

Mercutio shouts out “A plague o’ both your houses” repeatedly - He is cursing both Romeo and Tybalt and their feuding families.

Question 5

What are the two meanings of the following spoken by Mercutio? “Ask for me tomorrow, and/ you shall find me a grave man”.

Answer 5

He means that tomorrow he will be angry about being caught in the middle of the feud and he also means that he will be dead in his grave.

Question 6

According to Elizabethan society, what does a man too much in love lose?

Answer 6

According to Elizabethan society, a man too much in love loses his masculinity.

Question 7

What does passion outweigh throughout this scene?

Answer 7

Passion outweighs reason (common sense) throughout this scene.

Question 8

Who does Romeo blame for his own refusal to fight Tybalt?

Answer 8

Romeo puts the blame on Juliet for his refusal to fight Tybalt; he believes his love for her has made him effeminate.

Question 9

Why does Romeo return and kill Tybalt?

Answer 9

He returns to kill Tybalt to prove that he is a man.

Question 10

What happens as a result of Romeo’s killing Tybalt?

Answer 10

Benvolio attempts to explain to the Prince that Romeo had been trying to keep the peace, but the Prince exiles Romeo from Verona.

Question 11

Explain what Juliet means when she says: “…when he shall die,/ Take him and cut him out in little stars,/ And he will make the face of heaven so fine/ That all the world will be in love with night,/And pay no worship to the garish sun.”

Answer 11

The above passage foreshadowing Romeo’s death; the light and dark motif is present with references to the night, stars and sun; the “face of heaven” is an example of personification because having a face is a human quality and heaven is not human;
“all the world will be in love with night” is an example of hyperbole because it is an exaggeration (not EVERYONE loves Romeo as she does); there is a reference to a Religious metaphor with the use of the word “worship”; Romeo is referred to as the stars in the night sky which is a metaphor; Juliet refers to herself as the “garish sun” which is another metaphor

Question 12

What poetic technique is used in the following: “Beautiful tyrant! Fiend angelical! Dove-feathered raven! Wolfish-ravening lamb!”

Answer 12

An oxymoron (two words side by side that mean opposites).

Question 13

What motif is being used with those above examples?

Answer 13

The use of oxymorons throughout the play tie in with the opposite motif.

Question 14

What does Juliet vow to do when she thinks Romeo is dead?

Answer 14

When Juliet thinks Romeo is dead, she vows to kill herself- foreshadowing her eventual suicide.

Question 15

What does Juliet compare Romeo’s banishment to?

Answer 15

Juliet says that Romeo’s banishment is worse than ten thousand slain Tybalt’s – shows her devotion to her husband, NOT her family.

Question 16

Who is Juliet most devoted to?

Answer 16

Juliet is most devoted to Romeo, her husband.

Question 17

What is Romeo’s main concern regarding the fact he killed Tybalt?

Answer 17

Romeo’s main concern about his killing Tybalt is what Juliet now thinks of him rather than what her mental state is like – shows his immaturity

Question 18

What does friar Laurence mean when he says: “There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk”?

Answer 18

“There on the ground, with his own tears made drunk” is a reference to Romeo crying hysterically on the floor; his own tears are excessive and making matters worse (wallowing in self-pity)

Question 19

What does Romeo say his banishment is worse than?

Answer 19

He says it’s worse than death - contrasts to what Juliet says about his banishment.

Question 20

Identify the poetic technique in the following lines: “Not body’s death, but body’s banishment” Explain what makes you think so.

Answer 20

“Not body’s death, but body’s banishment” is an example of alliteration because of the repetition of the “b” sound at the beginning of several words.

Question 21

As the nurse and friar try to get Romeo to control himself, what do they both question about him?

Answer 21

The Friar and nurse question Romeo’s manhood.

Question 22

Identify the poetic technique in the following lines: “Like powder in a skilless soldier’s flask, /Is set a-fire by thine own ignorance”. Explain what makes you think so.

Answer 22

“Like powder in a skilless soldier’s flask,/ Is set afire by thine own ignorance” – is a simile because a comparison is being made (using the work “like” between Romeo’s immature behaviour and an unskilled soldier. His unmanly behavior is dangerous and reckless; he doesn’t know what he is doing or saying and is capable of hurting himself and others just like an unskilled soldier is dangerous when holding a weapon he doesn’t really know how to use.

Question 23

Identify the poetic technique in the following lines: “Like a misbehaved and sullen wench,/ Thou pout’st upon the fortune and thy love”. Explain what makes you think so.

Answer 23

“Like a misbehaved and sullen wench,/Thou poutest upon thy fortune and love” – is a simile because Romeo’s immature, unmanly, and self-absorbed behavior is being compared to that of a foolish, young and lowly girl.

Question 24

What does the nurse give Romeo from Juliet?

Answer 24

The nurse gives Romeo a ring from Juliet.

Question 25

Explain the plan the friar comes up with in order to help Romeo and Juliet.

Answer 25

The Friar’s plan: Romeo will visit Juliet that night - leave Verona before morning- go to Mantua – wait there until things blow over.

Question 26

What does this scene clearly show is consistently linked throughout the play?

Answer 26

The scene shows a consistent link between the intensity of young love and suicidal impulses.

Question 27

What makes Capulet change his mind about when Juliet is to marry Paris?

Answer 27

Capulet changes his mind about when Paris and Juliet are to wed; he believes it will get her over her depression over Tybalt’s death.

Question 28

What technique is being used in the following: “Afore me! it is so very very late/ That we may call it early by and by”? Explain what makes you think so.

Answer 28

“Afore me! It is so very very late/That we may call it early by and by?” – is a paradox. How can it be late and early at the same time? It is so late in the evening it is almost morning.

Question 29

What theme is present in the following lines: “I think she will be ruled/ In all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not”. Explain what makes you think so.

Answer 29

“I think she will be ruled/ in all respects by me; nay, more, I doubt it not” – shows the theme of the individual versus society because Capulet is saying that he rules over his daughter and she is expected to obey him.