Answers 1 – 6 are examples of complete responses to your review questions. The others provide you
with some help but are incomplete responses.
Make sure to use text evidence when answering your questions.
Use Act III, Scene I to help you answer the following questions:
1. How does Benvolio show himself to be reasonable man?
Benvolio’s lines demonstrate that he is a reasonable man. First, he pleads with Mercutio to “retire”
because otherwise they will “not scape a brawl.” Later, he tells the quarrelsome men to “withdraw unto
some private place and reason coldly of [their] grievances, or else depart.” If he were not a reasonable
man, he would have added fuel to the Capulet/Montague fire instead of trying to extinguish that fire.
2. What does Mercutio do to demonstrate his reckless attitude?
Mercutio taunts Tybalt. When Tybalt asks for “a word” with one of them, Mercutio tells him to “make it
a word and a blow.” He is encouraging the type of violence that the Prince so sternly warned against.
3. How do Romeo’s words to Tybalt further demonstrate his love for Juliet?
Romeo’s careful response to Tybalt’s challenge further demonstrates his love for Juliet. He tells Tybalt
that “the reason he has to love [him] doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting,” and
he explains that he tenders Tybalt’s name “as dearly as [his] own.” Romeo’s willingness to put his love
for Juliet above his pride and anger in response to Tybalt shows how much his new wife means to him.
4. What is Romeo alluding to when he says these lines: “And so, good Capulet, which name I tender/As
dearly as my own, be satisfied.”
When Romeo says, “And so, good Capulet, which name I tender / As dearly as my own, be satisfied,” he
is alluding to his still secret marriage to Tybalt’s cousin Juliet. Because he loves Juliet, Romeo values her
name just as much as his own.
5. Define verbal irony:
Verbal irony occurs when a speaker one thing and means the opposite.
a. In what way is Mercutio’s comment about his wound (lines 98-100) ironic?
Mercutio refers to his wound as “a scratch” immediately before telling his page to “fetch a surgeon.” His
ordering the boy to get a doctor lets the audience know that he realizes his wound is much more serious
than a scratch. Mercutio says one thing and means the opposite; therefore, he employs verbal irony.
Use Act III, Scene v to help you answer the following questions:
6. How do line 105 -114 demonstrate dramatic irony?
Juliet’s lines demonstrate dramatic irony because her mother believes she’s saying one thing, but we, the
audience, understand that her words have another layer of meaning. We know that she hopes Romeo
will “soon sleep in quiet” with her and that her “heart abhors to hear him named” when she cannot be
with him. Her mother believes she is crying for Tybalt and yearning for revenge against Romeo, but we
understand that her thoughts are dwelling on Romeo her husband, not her enemy.
7. How does Lord Capulet’s image shift from Act I, Scene ii to Act III, scene v?
Lord Capulet’s image shifts from positive to negative. In the beginning of the play, he presents himself as
a loving father. He tells Paris, “But woo her, gentle, Paris, get her heart; / My will to her consent is but a
part.” – As you finish this response, think of how Lord Capulet behaves differently later in the play. Even
though his intentions were probably good, his decision contrasts greatly with the way he approached
the idea of Juliet marrying Paris a few days before.
8. Which nonlinear plot element is being used in lines 215-223? Explain.
We focused specifically on foreshadowing and flashback when we talked about nonlinear plot elements.
Which is being used in the lines specified?
Use Act IV, Scene v to help you answer the following questions:
9. List three examples of figurative language used in lines 38-57.
Types of figurative language include but are not limited to: metaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification
10. What does Friar Laurence say in order to offer comfort to the Capulets?
You can find this in the text. If you’re having trouble, utilize other resources such as No Fear
Shakespeare.
11. What is the purpose of lines 111-157? List other instances of this approach being used throughout
the play.
Look up comic relief.