Wray
E9
Romeo and Juliet Reading Questions Act III
1. Of what does Mercutio accuse Benvolio? Does this seem accurate based on what you know about Benvolio? Does Mercutio seem hot-headed? Why or why not?
2. We know that Tybalt is violent, so why does he ignore Mercutio’s taunting?
3. What reason does Romeo give for refusing to fight Tybalt? Should he have told him about the marriage in that moment? Do you think it would have made a difference?
4. Exactly how does Mercutio die? What does he say to both the Montagues and the Capulets? In what ways does this come true (think back to the prologue)?
5. Mercutio is looking for a fight before Romeo intervenes. Does he learn something about the feud in his final moments? Explain.
6. How does Benvolio try to protect Romeo? Do you think the Prince should issue a milder punishment? Why or why not?
7. What punishment does Lady Capulet ask for and why?
8. How is the Prince personally affected by the deadly brawl?
9. What punishment is issued? Why? Should Romeo be blamed for Mercutio’s death?
10. What is Juliet waiting for? How would you describe the emotions she’s experiencing?
11. Write down one simile or metaphor she uses toward the end of her soliloquy:
12. Who does Juliet originally think has died? What does she plan to do in response?
13. What literary device does Juliet use again and again beginning in line 81? List one. What is her purpose?
14. At what point does Juliet have a change of heart? Why?
15. Is Juliet more upset over Tybalt’s death or Romeo’s? What does she compare Romeo’s banishment to (hint: several people’s deaths)? What sort of relationship did Juliet and the nurse have with Tybalt?
16. Why does Juliet feel cheated? What does the nurse plan to do?
17. What advice does Friar Lawrence give to Romeo? How does he respond?
18. What do you think about how Romeo and Juliet handle the terrible situation they are in? What personality trait do they both share?
19. How does Romeo imagine Juliet must think of him? Why does the ring change his mind? .
20.The Friar seems optimistic that things will improve. What is the plan? Why do you think he still believes the plan will work given everything that’s gone wrong?
21. Why do you think Capulet changes his mind about Juliet marrying Paris?
22. Does Juliet have a say in the marriage to Paris? How soon will they be married?
23. What are Romeo and Juliet debating in scene 5? Why?
24.What disturbing premonition does Juliet have as she says goodbye to Romeo?
25. Explain how Juliet’s lines 98-107 both convey the hatred her mother assumes she feels for Romeo AND her true feelings.
26. Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is mourning for Tybalt, but the audience knows it’s really Romeo. What kind of irony is this?
27. How does Lord Capulet respond when Juliet says she doesn’t want to marry Paris? What will happen if she refuses?
28. How does the Nurse behave during the argument? How does Lady Capulet behave?
29. What advice does the Nurse have for Juliet? Why?
30. Where is Juliet going? What does she plan to do if he can’t help her?