Act 3

Scene 1

3.1: Main Events There is another fight on the streets of Verona. Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince exiles Romeo.

1. Of the people on the street, who is the first to mention fighting? Mecutio is the first to mention fighting after Tybalt approaches his group. “Just one word with one of us? Add something else to that; make it a word and a punch in the mouth” (3.1.33-34).

2. What does Benvolio suggest? He suggests they go somewhere private. “Let’s move to a private place, or coolly discuss your grievances, or let’s leave” (3.1.43-45).

3. What stops an immediate fight between Tybalt and Mercutio? Romeo’s entrance stops the fight because Tybalt was looking for Romeo.

4. How does Tybalt approach Romeo? Tybalt insults Romeo and tells him to draw his sword. “…you’re a villian!” (3.1.53). “Boy, this will not excuse the wrong you’ve done to me. Turn around and draw your sword” (3.1.58-59).

5. How does Romeo respond? Romeo tries to stay calm and avoid fighting because of his love for Juliet. “Tybalt, the reason that I have for loving you helps me overcome the anger I should really feel at such an insult” (3.1.54-56). “I love you more than you can understand until you know the reason for my love. So, good Capulet—a name I value as dearly as my own—be satisfied” (3.1.61-64).

6. How does Mercutio react? Mercutio is mad that Romeo is not fighting back. “What a calm, dishonorable, disgusting submission to an insult!” (3.1.65).

7. What does Romeo do when Mercutio and Tybalt are fighting? Romeo tries to break up the fight.

8. What is the result of Romeo’s intervention? Tybalt stabs Mercutio.

9. What relationship does Romeo see between his love for Juliet and the death of Mercutio? Romeo feels his love for Juliet has weakened his courage. “O sweet Juliet, your beauty has made me act like a woman and weakened my courage” (3.1.104-106).

10. What does Romeo do when Tybalt returns to the scene? Romeo challenges Tybalt to fight and kills him.

11. How does Benvolio react? Benvolio tells Romeo to run away; if the Prince sees Romeo, he may be sentenced to death.

12. In the first act, what decision did the prince announce about the people who fight in Verona? How does the prince change his mind? After hearing Benvolio’s story, the Prince decides to exile Romeo instead of sentencing him to death.

Scene 2

3.2: Main Events Juliet learns of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment. Nurse offers to find Romeo so he can comfort Juliet.

13. At first, who does Juliet think is dead? Juliet thinks Romeo is dead.

14. When Juliet finds out that Romeo killed Tybalt, what is her first reaction? She is shocked because she didn’t think he was capable of killing. “O, how can he hide such an evil heart with such a beautiful face?” (3.2.75). “Vile creature that looks so beautiful—just opposite of what you seem” (3.2.79-80)

15. Once the shock is over, what does Juliet realize? She realizes her husband is still alive; she should be happy. Plus, Tybalt would have killed Romeo, so she feels less mad at Romeo.

16. What one word is more awful than Juliet’s whole family being killed? Hearing that Romeo is banished is worse than the thought of her entire family dying.

17. In light of what has happened, what does Juliet plan to do? She wants to die. “I’ll to my wedding-bed; and death, not Romeo, take my maidenhead!” (3.2.140-141).

18. What symbol of her love does Juliet send Romeo? Juliet has the Nurse send Romeo her ring.

19. Where is Romeo hiding? Romeo is hiding in Friar Laurence’s cell.

Scene 3

3.3: Main Events Romeo is in despair and is ready to kill himself. Friar Laurence talks sense into him. Friar Laurence tells Romeo to go comfort Juliet and then escape to Mantua.

20. Would Romeo prefer death or exile? Explain. Romeo would prefer death because exile means he’ll be alive but unable to see Juliet.

21. How does Friar Laurence react to Romeo? Friar Laurence feels Romeo is being ungrateful. “You’re speaking a deadly sin. You’re rude and unthankful!” (3.3.25) “He granted you mercy and you don’t see it” (3.3.29).

22. What news does Nurse bring? The Nurse tells Romeo that Juliet is distraught and can’t stop crying. “She says nothing, sir. She just cries and cries and falls on her bed. Then she gets up and calls Tybalt, and then she cries for Romeo, and then she falls on her bed again” (3.2.101-104).

23. What does Friar Laurence tell Romeo he should be happy about? Romeo still has his body, love, and intelligence. Juliet is still alive. “You’re like an undignified woman in the body of a man…” (3.2.116). “Wake up man! Your Juliet is alive!” (3.2.139). “…you frown at your good fortune and your love” (3.2.148).

24. What does Friar Laurence tell Romeo he should do? He tells Romeo to go comfort Juliet. Then, he can escape to another town and ask for the Prince’s forgiveness.

Scene 4

3.4: Main Events To cheer Juliet up, Lord Capulet arranges for her to marry Paris on Thursday.

Scene 5

3.5: Main Events Juliet refuses to marry Paris. Her parents get very upset with her. Nurse advises her to marry Paris. Juliet feels lost and alone and seeks out Friar Laurence for help.

25. What is Juliet’s reaction when her mother tells her she will be married to Paris in two days? She says she’s not ready to marry.

26. How does Lord Capulet respond to Juliet’s defiance? Lord Capulet is mad at Juliet’s defiance. He says she’s spoiled and ungrateful. He says she will marry Paris or he will disown her.

27. What is the Nurse’s advice? The Nurse figures Romeo is not coming back to Verona, so Juliet should just marry Paris.

28. What does Juliet decide she must do? Juliet is upset with the Nurse for not understanding her true feelings and decides she won’t trust her anymore. Juliet says she’s going to confess her disobedience, but she is really going to get advice from Friar Laurence. If that fails, she says she’ll commit suicide.

Act 3: Irony Situational Irony: In 3.1, readers are expecting Romeo to remain calm in the fight, but he flips out and kills Tybalt. Dramatic Irony: In 3.1, readers know Romeo and Juliet are married, but Tybalt and others do not. Dramatic Irony: In 3.3, readers know Romeo is banished before he does. Dramatic Irony: In 3.5, readers know Juliet is crying about Romeo’s banishment, but her mom thinks she is crying for Tybalt’s death.