English 9 Name

Romeo and Juliet

Act III Study Guide Hour Due Date

Act III, Scene 1

1. On a hot afternoon Mercutio and Tybalt argue and eventually fight. Who do you say is to blame
for provoking this quarrel? Why?

2. Tybalt wants to draw Romeo into a duel, but he does not have much luck at first. Why not?

3. Describe the circumstances surrounding Mercutio’s death. (Explain exactly how it happened.)

4. After the slaying of his best friend, Romeo vows revenge and then swiftly carries it out. What
does this tell us about Romeo’s personality?

BONUS: Can you think of any modern examples--from movies or television shows,etc. that are
similar to Romeo’s reaction? Explain how it is similar.

5. Prince Escalus listens to both families’ accounts of the fighting and then delivers his sentence.
Who is to be punished and what are the punishments to be?

6. What line tells us that the Prince is related to one of the dead men? Which one?

Act III, scene 2

7. In a beautiful soliloquy Juliet expresses her love for her husband and the trembling eagerness she
feels waiting his arrival. What is the tragic irony of this speech?

8. The Nurse brings Juliet the news of the bloody fight, and, after some confusion, informs her that
Romeo has slain Tybalt, her cousin. What is her reaction to this news?

9. Hearing the Nurse bitterly slander Romeo shocks Juliet back to her true self. She defends her
husband’s actions, then breaks into sobs as she considers the full meaning of the Prince’s sentence.
What does the Nurse then plan to do to ease Juliet’s misery?

Act III, scene 3

10. Where is Romeo hiding out from the Prince’s men?

11. Contrast the Friar’s opinion of Romeo’s punishment with that of Romeo.

12. The Nurse relates to Romeo, Juliet’s sorrowful state and in a fit of rage and guilt he draws his
sword and attempts to kill himself. The Friar jumps to prevent this act and gives Romeo a sharp
tongue-lashing. List all the reason’s Friar Laurence gives for Romeo to feel grateful about his current
situation.

13.Friar Laurence, temper in check, advises Romeo to visit his wife that night and to be careful when
leaving the city the next morning. The Nurse gives Romeo the ring which Juliet has sent as a token of
their love and leaves to prepare for Romeo’s secret visit. Where is Romeo going after he leaves
Verona? What is he to do there?
Act III, scene 4

14. How have Lord Capulet’s feelings changed about Juliet’s marriage to Paris?

15. What kind of wedding will it be? Why?

16. What is ironic about the wedding plans being discussed in this scene?

BONUS: Do you think Juliet’s parents are favoring her match with Paris out of their love for her, or
are they merely being selfish, self-serving people? Defend your answer.

Act III, scene 5

17. Romeo and Juliet, now married in body and soul, must depart from one another as daylight
approaches. What does Romeo mean when he says “More light and light, more dark and dark our
woes!”?

18. What foreshadowings of death are present in this departure scene?

19. Lady Capulet enters Juliet’s bedroom. What is the purpose of her visit?

20. What does Lady Capulet think Juliet is crying about? What comment does she make about such
excessive outpourings of grief?

21. Juliet bravely refuses to marry Paris. How does her mother receive this news? What ultimatum
does her father give her?
22. Finally, even her nurse betrays her. What cold advice does the Nurse give Juliet? How does the
Nurse try to sell this idea to Juliet?

23. Juliet, shocked at the Nurse’s advice, nevertheless manages to disguise her true feelings and tells
the Nurse that she is going to see Friar Laurence. What reason does she give for this visit? Why is
she really going?