Romeo and Juliet
Act III, Scene I
1. What is Mercutio pointing out about Benvolio’s personality at the beginning of the
scene? How does what he is saying contradict with Benvolio’s actions in Act I, Scene I?
Mercutio is telling Benvolio that is has a bad temper and that he he’ll start a fight for any
reason. In Act I, Scene I, it was Benvolio who was trying to avoid getting into a fight
with the Capulets.
2. Who is the first to draw their sword when Benvolio and Mercutio come upon Tybalt
and Petruchio?
Mercutio is the first to draw his sword after Tybalt asks if he can have a word with one of
them.
3. Why does Tybalt call Romeo “my man” on line 52?
He is insulting Romeo because “man” can also mean “servant”.
4. Why does Romeo refuse to answer Tybalt’s insult and tell him that he actually feels
love for him?
Romeo refuses to get angry with Tybalt because he is now married to Juliet and wants
peace with the family.
5. What happens after Romeo steps in to try and stop Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting?
Tybalt stabs Mercutio and runs away. Benvolio takes Mercutio into someone’s house
where he dies. Tybalt comes back and fights Romeo. This time Romeo stabs and kills
Tybalt.
6. How does everyone find out about what happened and who killed who?
People, including the Prince, the Capulets and the Montagues, start to gather where the
fights took place. Benvolio tells Prince Escalus what happened.
7. What does Benvolio lie about when he is telling the Prince about what happened?
He says that is was Tybalt who started the fight, when really Mercutio is the one who
drew his sword first.
8. What does the Prince decide to do to punish Romeo for killing Tybalt?
He decides to exile Romeo. He also tells the families that he is going to penalize them
with a heavy fine for the fight and the death of his cousin Mercutio.
Romeo and Juliet
Act III, Scene I
1. What is Mercutio pointing out about Benvolio’s personality at the beginning of the
scene? How does what he is saying contradict with Benvolio’s actions in Act I, Scene I?
2. Who is the first to draw their sword when Benvolio and Mercutio come upon Tybalt
and Petruchio?
3. Why does Tybalt call Romeo “my man” on line 52?
4. Why does Romeo refuse to answer Tybalt’s insult and tell him that he actually feels
love for him?
5. What happens after Romeo steps in to try and stop Mercutio and Tybalt from fighting?
6. How does everyone find out about what happened and who killed who?
7. What does Benvolio lie about when he is telling the Prince about what happened?
8. What does the Prince decide to do to punish Romeo for killing Tybalt?