Romeo and JulietAct III – Student Reading Guide

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)

  1. What does Mercutio tell us about Benvolio in the lines 15-29? Why is this ironic?
  1. 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)
  1. Explain "a grave man". (Line 96) What figure of speech is used? What is the meaning?
  1. 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)

  1. What do the following lines mean?

"Romeo, away, be gone!
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.
Stand not amazed. The prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away!"(Lines 130-134)

  1. Explain this line by Romeo: “O, I am fortune’s fool!”
  1. What does Benvolio’s account of the fight show about him?

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."

  1. What is the Prince's loss?
  2. What does the Prince promise to do if Romeo is found?
  3. What does this line by the Prince mean?

"Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill." .

Scene 2

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

6. What conflicting emotions is Juliet experiencing?

  1. Where is Romeo hiding?

Scene 3

  1. Explain Romeo's statement:

"Tis torture, and not mercy."(Line 29)

  1. Which solution to his despair is Romeo considering? Quote the lines which support your answer.

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  1. 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 retorts that ... (line 62)

  1. "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 Romeo and Juliet’s discussion about “the lark” and “the nightingale” at the start of this scene?
  1. Explain the line: "I must be gone and live, or stay and die."
  2. In Greek mythology what is "Cynthia"? What literary technique is used here?
  3. Explain the meaning of "affray".
  4. Juliet has a vision. Who does she see and what does she see? --What literary technique is used here?
  5. What does Lady Capulet mean in the following lines:
    "Some grief shows much of love;
    But much of grief shows still some want of wit."(Lines 73-74)

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  1. What is the dual meaning of Juliet’s words in lines 94-105? .

8. What is Lady Capulet actually wishing in this line?

"I would the fool were married to her grave!(Line 141)

  1. What is a "hurdle"? (Line 156) Why is this diction significant?
  1. What are Capulet's feelings towards his daughter when she refuses to take Paris for a husband? Quote the lines which support your answer.
  1. What is Capulet's threat in lines 190-196?
  1. Is Lady Capulet willing to intercede/speak in favor of Juliet? Write the quote that answers this question.
  1. What does the nurse advise Juliet to do? Why?
  1. How does Juliet react to the nurse’s advice? Cite specific lines that show this.
  1. At the end of Act III, Scene 5, where does Juliet go?
  1. If the Friar is not able to help, what does Juliet plan to do? Quote lines in support.