Act I    Act II    Act III    Act IV    Act V    Index

Answer all of the following questions in sentences on a separate sheet of looseleaf.

Act III

Scene 1

1. What do the following lines foreshadow?
    
"I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
And, if we meet, we shall not 'scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring."   (Lines 1-4)
 
2. What does Mercutio tell us about Benvolio in the lines 15-29? Explain.
    
3. What does Romeo remind Mercutio and Tybalt about in the following lines:
    
"Tybalt, Mercutio, the Prince expressly hath
Forbid this bandying in Verona streets."   (Lines 86-87)
 
4. Explain "a grave man". (Line 96) What figure of speech is used? What is the meaning?
    
5. Explain the following lines:
    
"This gentleman, the Prince's near ally,
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
In my behalf - my reputation stained
With Tybalt's slander - Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper soft'ned valor's steel!"   (Lines 107-113)
 
6. What do the following lines foreshadow?
    
"Romeo, away, be gone!
The citizens are us, and Tybalt slain.
Stand not amazed. The prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!"   (Lines 130-134)
 
7. Who says these lines?
    
8. What does Benvolio tell Romeo and why?
    
9. What does the Prince mean in the lines which state:
    
"But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
That you shall all repent the loss of mine."
 
10. What is the Prince's loss?
     
11. What does the Prince promise to do if Romeo is found?
     
12. What does this line mean?
     
"Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill."
 
How does it apply to the "capital punishment" issue in politics today?

Scene 2

1. Explain the classical allusions in lines 2 and 3.
    
2. Explain the words:
    
1. cockatrice   (line 47)
2. bier   (line 60)
3. serpent   (line 73)
    
3. What is Juliet's first reaction when learning of Tybalt's death?
    
4. What does Nurse think of men in general? Quote the lines which support your answer.
    
5. What is Juliet's reaction when Nurse curses Romeo? Quote.
    
6. Where is Romeo hiding?

Scene 3

1. Explain Romeo's statement:
    
"Tis torture, and not mercy."   (Line 29)
 
2. Which solution to his despair is Romeo contemplating? Quote the lines which support your answer.
    
3. The Friar proposes to give Romeo "Adversity's sweet milk" (Line 55). What is it? But Romeo does not want to listen. The Friar makes the statement that ... (Line 61) Romeo reports that ... (line 62)
    
4. "A pack of blessings light upon thy back;" (Line 141) List the 3 blessings.

Scene 4

1. Explain what is decided in this short scene.

Scene 5

1. Explain the line: "I must be gone and live, or stay and die." (Line 11)
    
2. In Greek mythology what is "Cynthia"?
    
3. Explain the meaning of "affray".
    
4. Juliet has a vision. Who does she see and what does she see?
    
5. What does Lady Capulet mean in the following:
    
"Some grief shows much of love;
But much of grief shows still some want of wit."   (Lines 73-74)
 
6. What is Lady Capulet actually wishing in the line:
    
"I would the fool were married to her grave!?   (Line 141)
 
7. What is a "hurdle"? (Line 156)
    
8. What are Capulet's feelings towards his daughter when she refuses to take Paris for a husband? Quote the lines which support your answer.
    
9. What is Capulet's threat in lines 190-196?
    
10. Is Lady Capulet willing to intercede (to speak in favor of Juliet)? Quote.
     
11. At the end of Act III, Scene 5, where does Juliet go?
     
12. If the Friar is not able to help, what does she plan to do? Quote lines in support.

This free study unit was found at www.englishresources.co.uk