The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet Act III Review

Act III. scene i Setting: Public place in Verona Monday Afternoon Conflict: Tensions are high between Montagues and Capulets after last night’s party Revenge (for insults + murder) Characters: Benvolio pleads with Mercutio to go home knows something bad could happen “And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” when tension rises with Tybalt, he asks them to take it elsewhere tries to tell the Prince the truth Mercutio believes Benvolio is just as likely to fight as any other fights with Tybalt dies… after issuing “a plague a’ both your houses!”

Characters Cont. Tybalt Romeo comes looking for Romeo provokes Mercutio by insinuating he “consorts” with Romeo challenges Romeo for his insult at the party (really prompted by his scolding from Lord Capulet) kills Mercutio returns only to die from Romeo’s sword Romeo tries to get out of the challenge speaks of his love for the Capulets steps between Mercutio + Tybalt challenges Tybalt to avenge Mercutio’s death

Blame Mercutio blames Romeo: Romeo blames Juliet: Romeo blames fate: “Why the devil came you between us? I was hurt under your arm” (88-89) Romeo blames Juliet: “O sweet Juliet, / Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, / And in my temper soft’ned valor’s steel” (99-101) Romeo blames fate: “O, I am fortune’s fool!” (122)

Aftermath… Lady Capulet wants Montague blood (Romeo) for Tybalt’s death She can’t believe Benvolio’s story because he is a Montague Montague believes Tybalt’s death in reaction to Mercutio makes them even (eye for an eye) Prince sentences Romeo to exile- if he does not leave, he will be killed

Act III. scene ii Setting: Capulet’s house Characters: Juliet Spends the early afternoon dreaming of love and Romeo. Her heart breaks at news of the death (first Romeo, then Tybalt). She cannot speak against her love, her husband. Nurse Returns from getting cords for the rope ladder and says, “he’s dead, he’s dead, he’s dead!” (meaning Tybalt, but Juliet believes she means Romeo) *Juliet wants to spend her wedding night with Romeo before he is banished. She believes herself to be a widow already…

Act III. scene iii Setting: Friar Lawrence’s cell Monday night Conflict: Romeo awaits news of his punishment and his bride Characters: Romeo believes death would be better than banishment asks the Friar for ways to end his life Friar Lawrence brings Romeo news of his banishment counsels Romeo to be patient ~ sees the Prince’s decision as “merciful” can’t believe Romeo’s childish, foolish over-reaction “Thy tears are womanish, thy acts denote/ The unreasonable fury of a beast.” (111-112) Nurse comes to the friar to find Romeo can’t believe Romeo is weeping like Juliet, calls him out “Stand up, stand up, stand, and you be a man.” (89) gives Romeo a ring from Juliet

Act III. scene iv Setting: Capulet’s House Monday night Conflict: Paris continues to push for Juliet’s hand Characters: Capulet can’t believe Paris would come again at this hour on this day decides marrying Paris on Thursday might life Juliet’s spirits Paris we see his persistence here could greed be an issue?

Act III. scene v Setting: Capulet’s orchard Late Monday/ dawn Tuesday Conflict: After her time with Romeo, Juliet learns of her fated (second) marriage Characters: Juliet doesn’t want Romeo to leave doesn’t want day to come, but knows Romeo must leave before he is caught and killed wants letters from Romeo daily asks fortune (fate) to return Romeo quickly says marrying Paris will not make her happy, she’d rather marry Romeo (taken as an insult) feels isolated at the end Romeo tells Juliet he would rather die than be without her does not doubt he will see Juliet again

Characters cont. Capulet Lady Capulet Nurse can’t believe Juliet would refuse his plan ultimatum: marry , or we’ll kick you out speaks terribly of her; they are cursed to have her Lady Capulet believes Juliet continues to mourn for Tybalt IRONY- she thinks Juliet should weep for Tybalt’s killer, Romeo plans to send someone to Mantua to kill Romeo tells Juliet of the plan to marry Paris Nurse advises Juliet to do what she is told because Romeo will not be back

Important Quotes Who are the speakers? Why are these lines so significant? “More light and light, more dark and dark out woes!” “And trust me, love, in my eye so do you;/ Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu!” “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch!” “Ancient damnation! O most wicked fiend!” “I’ll to the Friar to know his remedy” “If all else fail, myself have power to die.”