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Siena Giacomantonio Ms. Archer Honors Composition 23 January 2011 Act III Questions 1. The conflicts that came to a climax, in Act III, were the physical battles between the Montagues and the Capulets. In the very beginning, the sword fight between Mercutio and Tybalt occurred. And resulting was the tragedy of Mercutios death. Benvolio cries, O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! (3.1. 115) The ultimate conflict between Romeo and Tybalt comes to a close. After running away after Mercutios death, Tybalt returns for Romeo. Romeo is both outraged and upset at the tragic event of Mercutios death. Not expected of him, for he is the sensitive character in the play, rushes to Tybalt and begins fighting him, and kills him. Benvolio rushes to Romeo and tells him very quickly, Romeo, away, begone!/The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain. (3.1. 131-132). 2. Benvolio has always been a pacifist. In Act III, the audience learns Benvolios personal thoughts towards in the beginning of scene one. Benvolio simply states, I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire/The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,/And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl (3.1. 1-4) The audience learns that Benvolio does not want, nor like to fight. And again, in 3.1, Benvolio exclaims, We talk here in public haunt of

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men/Either withdraw unto some private place,/Or reason coldly of your grievances,/Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us. (3.1. 49-52) 3. Romeo, out of sadness, doesnt want to talk to Tybalt. Romeo exclaims to Benvolio, Alive in triumph, and Mercutio slain! (3.1. 121) Romeo is basically saying that he is exasperated because Tybalt is pleased (because he killed a Montague) and alive; and poor Mercutio is dead, and hes not one bit sorrowful. However, as Tybalt says, Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here,/Shalt with him hence. (3.1. 128-129) Romeo is then infuriated, and begins fighting Tybalt. 4. Mercutio is the humorous component in Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare describes Mercutio has the comedic character in the story; he uses the pun technique with Mercutios dialogue. With his last and final words, Mercutio utilizes humor. For example, he says, Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch (3.1. 92) In other words, Mercutio says its nothing, which is more humorous, because its much more than a scratch. 5. Lady Capulet wants revenge so deeply. She says to the Prince, Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live. (3.1. 180) However, the Prince responds, Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio. (3.1. 181) Later in the Act, Lady Capulet mentions to Juliet, Ill send one in Mantua,/Where that same banished runagate doth live,/Shall give such an unaccustomed dram/That he shall soon keep Tybalt company (3.5. 89-91) 6. Friar Laurence creates a plan for Romeo. Friar Laurence tells Romeo to go to Juliets bedroom and have the wedding night. Then, before the day comes, Romeo shall flea to Mantua, and wait for things to cool down with the Prince. After the truth has spread about the love affair, he comes back; and the Montagues and Capulets will be at peace.

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He tells Romeo, Give me thy hand. Tis late. Farewell, good night. (3.3. 172) The friar believes this plan will work; however, there are some unplanned situations and problems that could result because of this plan. 7. The Nurse is cruel to Juliet in Act III because she betrays her. The disloyalty is shown when the Nurse says, I think it best you married with the County./Oh, hes a lovely gentleman!/Romeos dishclout to him (3.5.218-220) Juliet has always honored and respected the Nurse for all that she has done for her and Romeo; and now, she gives up on her problems. This is an unexpected thing for the Nurse to do because she has always been there for Juliet, and now shes turning her back on her.