Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3
Act 3, Scene 1 – The same afternoon. A street in Verona.

What course of action does Benvolio suggest? Why does he make this
suggestion?
Benvolio suggests that they—Mercutio and the Montagues—go (1) _______
because in hot weather, like the kind they are experiencing, anger is easily
triggered and often results in a (2) ___________. Moreover, the Capulets are
out and about looking for (3) ___________.

What is Mercutio's response? Is he correct?
Mercutio says that Benvolio is the more hot-tempered one and should not be
giving lessons on controlling tempers when Benvolio is unable to control his own.
Mercutio is probably (4) ___________; Benvolio appears to be the more rational
of the two.

How does Mercutio show himself to be the more reckless of the two?
Mercutio loses his temper quickly when (5) ___________ asks if Mercutio and
Romeo are friends.

Romeo enters. Tybalt has a few heated words for Romeo. Even after
hearing the insults, Romeo says he has secret reasons for loving Tybalt.
Why does Romeo says this?
Tybalt is Juliet's (6) __________. Therefore, by marrying Juliet, Romeo is now
related to Tybalt; they are now (7) __________-in-law.

How does Romeo hint to his marriage to Juliet?
Romeo indicates that his love for Tybalt is more than can be imagined.
Furthermore, he says that the name of “Capulet” is a name he cherishes as if
it were his (8) __________.

How does Mercutio react to Romeo's refusal to fight with Tybalt? Why is
this element of the scene significant?
Mercutio thinks that Romeo is being (9) __________ to his family by choosing
to not fight Tybalt, so Mercutio draws his own sword and challenges Typalt.
Because of Romeo 's decision, Mercutio acts on the hate he feels for the
(10) __________ as well as the loyalty he has for the Montagues – a loyalty
which he believes Romeo has lost.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3

In what way is Romeo responsible for Mercutio's being stabbed?
When Mercutio (11) ____________ Tybalt, Romeo tries to break it up, and
Tybalt finds an opportunity to stab Mercutio under Romeo's arm.

In what way is Mercutio's comment about his wound ironic? [pg 707,
lines 95-96]
Mercutio makes (12) ________ and jokes that his wound is not that bad when in
fact it is (13) ________. For example, he says “ask for me tomorrow and you
shall find me a grave man."

What is Romeo's reaction to Mercutio's death?
Romeo is determined to get (14) _______________ by killing Tybalt.

What is Romeo willing to sacrifice for Mercutio? [p. 708, lines 124-7]
Romeo is willing to get himself (15) ____________, as long as he attempts to
avenge Mercutio's death. He even says to Tybalt that Mercutio’s soul is in
heaven and "either thou, or I, or both, must go with him."

After killing Tybalt, Romeo says, "0, I am fortune's fool!" What does he
mean by this?
"Fortune" refers to fate. Romeo firmly believes his future has been written for
him. By killing Tybalt, Romeo proves that fortune/fate always prevails.

What does Lady Capulet request of the Prince?
Lady Capulet wants Romeo to be (16) __________ for his crime of killing
her nephew, Tybalt.

What is the Prince's decision?
Rather than killing Romeo, the Prince decides to (17) _______________ him
from the city. If Romeo is seen again within city limits, then he is to be killed.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3
Act 3, Scene 2 – Later that day. Capulet’s orchard.

As Juliet waits for night and Romeo's visit, the Nurse arrives with news.
What is the news, and how is it presented?
Nurse is flustered and upset by the news that she has to deliver, so she has
difficulty telling Juliet that Romeo has (18) ___________ Tybalt and his
punishment is banishment. Because the news is so difficult for the Nurse to
deliver, Juliet is under the impression, at first, that Romeo is (19) __________.

Juliet's first reaction to the Nurse's news is to call Romeo names. But,
after the name calling, what is Juliet's final reaction?
Juliet loves Romeo and realizes that (20) ____________ would have killed
Romeo if Romeo had not killed him first. Juliet's realization proves her loyalty to
and trust of Romeo.

On page 714, lines 108-9 Juliet claims "Some word there was, worser
than Tybalt's death,/That murder'd me....
" What is it that "murder'd" Juliet? What does she mean by this?
The statement, "Tybalt is dead, and Romeo (21) _____________” murdered
Juliet. Her choice of using the word "murdered" shows how devastated she is by
learning both facts. Tybalt, her cousin, is dead and was killed by Romeo, her
only love. This news hurts her so much that she wishes she were dead.

Why do you think the Nurse volunteers to go and get Romeo? And
where do you think he is he hiding?
With Romeo banished, Juliet is extremely upset. The Nurse knows that Romeo
is the only one who can comfort Juliet during this time. Being the wonderful
friend she is, the Nurse offers to find Romeo who is probably hiding in Friar
Laurence’s cell.
Act 3, Scene 3 – Later. Friar Laurence's cell.

How does Romeo react to the news that he has been banished?
Romeo claims that he would rather be (22) _______ because life without Juliet
seems to him like no life at all.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3

What does the Friar then tell him to do? What instructions does the
Friar give Romeo?
According to the Friar, Romeo should stop (23) _______________; instead, he
should go see Juliet and say (24) ____________. Friar Lawrence tells him to
make his way to Mantua before daybreak, and he will stay there until the
marriage can be announced, the families can be reconciled, and the Prince
agrees to pardon him.
Act 3, Scene 4 – Late that night. A room in Capulet's house.

In the conversation between Lord Capulet, his wife, and Paris, what do
they think is Juliet's present cause of grief? How is this misconception
an example of dramatic irony?
Juliet's parents and Paris believe that Juliet is locking herself in her room
because of the grief she feels over (25) ____________’s death. Contrary to
their opinion, the audience is well aware that Juliet is actually grieving over
(26) ____________’s exile. Dramatic irony is when the reader or a character
knows something that other characters do no know; therefore, this is a classic
example.

What decision does Lord Capulet make, and why do you suppose he
makes this decision? How is his decision an example of dramatic irony?
Lord Capulet believes that marriage may cheer up Juliet, so he takes for
granted that she will obey him and decides that she and Paris will get
(27) ____________ on Thursday. Capulet's assumption of obedience is an
example of dramatic irony because the audience is aware that not only has
Juliet already disobeyed her father by secretly (28) ____________ a
Montague but also she and her new husband are alone in her bedroom
presently “disobeying” him as they speak.
Act 3, Scene 5 – Later that night, just before daybreak. Caplet’s orchard
and, above, Juliet’s room and balcony.

Summarize the conversation between Romeo and Juliet at the opening
of this scene [p. 722 lines 1-30].
Juliet tries to convince Romeo that it is not morning by telling him it is not the
(29) ________ he hears, but the (30) ____________. Romeo knows that if he
stays past dawn he is risking his life. Juliet continues to try to convince Romeo
that the light he sees outside is a meteor, not the sun. Romeo finally gives in
because he would rather stay with his love than leave, even though it means
that he is risking his life.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3

Juliet’s mother enters and, seeing Juliet weeping at Romeo's departure,
believes that she is crying for Tybalt’s death. Lady Capulet then vents
her own anger at Romeo and discloses her plan to have him found and
poisoned. Why does Juliet appear to agree?
Juliet's speech can be read so that it has two meanings. The second meaning,
professing her love for Romeo, is known by the audience, but not the mother;
therefore, this doublespeak is an example of (31) ____________________.

What news does Juliet's mother bring? What is Juliet's response to her
mother?
Lady Capulet tells Juliet that she is to marry Paris on (32) ____________.
In response, Juliet states that she would rather marry Romeo—whom her
parents believe she hates—than Paris.

Why does Lord Capulet get so angry when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?
Furthermore, why do you think he is so controlling of his family?
Lord Capulet feels that Juliet is "unworthy" because she is so ungrateful of the
marriage. He also seems angry that she challenges his authority. During
Shakespeare's time, women had few rights and depended on the
(33) _________ of their family to provide for them financially and emotionally.
Therefore, women were forced to obey the men in their family. Men, in turn,
could take this power for granted and become overbearing.

What does Lord Capulet threaten if Juliet chooses not to marry Paris
[p. 728 lines 190-92]?
If Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Lord Capulet threatens to (34) ___________
her. In fact, he tells her that from then on she should "never after look [him] in
the face." When the Nurse tries to speak up for Juliet, Capulet says that the
Nurse should hold her tongue.

What does Juliet threaten to do if she is forced to marry Paris? What is
her mother's response?
Juliet threatens to (35) __________ herself rather than marry Paris, and
she is so obstinate that her mother refuses to discuss it with her any
further.
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Name (print): _______________________________________ Block: _______
Discussion Questions: Romeo & Juliet – Act 3

What is the Nurse's advice, and how can she give that advice knowing
how Juliet feels?
The Nurse tells Juliet to forget about (36) ____________ and go ahead and
marry (37) ____________. The Nurse is very practical and points out to
Juliet that (38) ____________ is in no position to help Juliet.

When Juliet hears this advice, how does she feel?
Juliet feels (39) ____________ and is not going to confide in the Nurse any
more.

Juliet tells the Nurse she is going to Friar Laurence to confess her sins.
Why do you think she's really going there?
Juliet wants to see if he can offer any help.
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