LADY CAPULET
He is a kinsman to the Montague;
Affection makes him false; he speaks not true:
Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,
And all those twenty could but kill one life.
I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give;
Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.
PRINCE
Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio;
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?
MONTAGUE
Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio's friend;
His fault concludes but what the law should end,
The life of Tybalt.
PRINCE
And for that offence
Immediately we do exile him hence:
I have an interest in your hate's proceeding,
My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding;
But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
That you shall all repent the loss of mine:
I will be deaf to pleading and excuses;
Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses:
Therefore use none: let Romeo hence in haste,
Else, when he's found, that hour is his last.
Bear hence this body and attend our will:
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
Question 1: What is Romeo’s punishment for killing Tybalt?
Question 2: What does Lady Capulet argue should happen to Romeo? What is Montague’s counterargument?
Question 3: What is the Prince’s tone towards Montague and Lady Capulet? What language does the Prince (and Shakespeare) use to show that tone?
TYBALT
54This, by his voice, should be a Montague.
55Fetch me my rapier, boy. What dares the slave
56Come hither, cover'd with an antic face,
57To fleer and scorn at our solemnity?
58Now, by the stock and honor of my kin,
59To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
CAPULET
60Why, how now, kinsman! wherefore storm you so?
TYBALT
61Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,
62A villain that is hither come in spite,
63To scorn at our solemnity this night.
CAPULET
64Young Romeo is it?
TYBALT
64'Tis he, that villain Romeo.
CAPULET
65Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone;
66'A bears him like a portly gentleman;
67And, to say truth, Verona brags of him
68To be a virtuous and well-govern'd youth:
69I would not for the wealth of all the town
70Here in my house do him disparagement:
71Therefore be patient, take no note of him:
72It is my will, the which if thou respect,
73Show a fair presence and put off these frowns,
74An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast.
TYBALT
75It fits, when such a villain is a guest:
76I'll not endure him.
CAPULET
76He shall be endured:
77What, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to;
78Am I the master here, or you? go to.
79You'll not endure him! God shall mend my soul!
80You'll make a mutiny among my guests!
81You will set cock-a-hoop! you'll be the man!