Act III, Scene i

 

                A young man of the upper class was given great freedom in Elizabethan times. Unlike a young woman, he could spend time with his friends without chaperones. He and his friends were allowed to drink in taverns, go horseback riding and play tennis. On rainy days, they might gamble. During their time together, young men might share their problems. As a result, they often developed close relationships. In Scene i, observe the devotion Romeo and his friends have for one another. Romeo’s friends worry about him and defend his honor. Romeo even kills another person to avenge a friend.

                It is broad daylight in Verona. Mercutio and Benvolio are on the street. Their conversation shows that the feud is becoming as hot as the weather.

1.When he meets _____________and Mercutio, ___________is looking for ________________.

2.How does Mercutio treat Tybalt when they meet?

                a.Mercutio ignores Tybalt.

                b.Mercutio tries to be polite and civil.

                c.Mercutio insults Tybalt and tries to get him angry.

                d.Mercutio is angry but holds his tongue.

 

3.Why does Romeo refuse to fight Tybalt?________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

4.Explain what happens when Romeo tries to stop the fight.____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

5.After Mercutio is wounded, he twice cries out, “A curse on both your houses!”

 

                a.Who are the people Mercutio is cursing?__________________________________________

                b.What does Mercutio mean when he curses both their houses?___________________________________

                                _________________________________________________________________

6.Why does the Prince announce that he has ‘a personal interest in this fight’? _________________________
                                ___________________________________________________________________________

 

7.The _________________sets _____________punishment. Romeo must leave ____________ in

                _________________ or _____________ within the _____________.

Act III, Scene ii

 

                Tales of Greek and Roman myths were often told to youngsters in ages past. Juliet, too , seems to know these stories. As she waits alone for her Nurse, she wishes that a driver like Phaeton would chase the sun from the sky. Then Romeo would come to her.

                Phaeton was the son of Phoebus, the Greek sun god. Phoebus had a chariot of fire, which Phaeton borrowed one day to speed thru the heavens. As a result, the chariot flew too near to the earth, and several mountain ranges were caught on fire.

                Zeus, the ruler of the gods, saw the destruction caused by the blazing chariot. To save the world, Zeus struck down the chariot. Phaeton dies as the chariot plunged to the ground.The tale of Phaeton teaches that death can result from youthful passion and impatience. As you read, think of how this lesson has come true for the two young lovers.

                Juliet is again waiting for her Nurse. She knows nothing of the two deaths. She is only thinking about the arrival of her new husband.

 

1.When Juliet learns that Romeo has killed Tybalt, she cires, “O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!” Juliet is saying that there are opposites in Romeo’s nature. Find 3 other eamples where Juliet says that Romeo is not what he appears to be.

                a._______________________________________________________________

                b._______________________________________________________________

                c._______________________________________________________________

 

2.Juliet says, “Some word there was, worse than Tybalt’s death, that murdered me.” The word she fears is _____________________.

                To Juliet the word means that _______________is gone _____________and she has ____________

                                everything.

3.The _____________tries to comfort ____________by making a _________________. Which of the following                                                      promises does she make to Juliet?

                a.She will always defend the murderer Romeo.

                b.She will find Romeo and bring him to Juliet.

                c.She will tell Juliet’s parents that Romeo is their son-in-law and they should forgive him.

                d.She will help Juliet to run away with Romeo.

Act III, Scene iii

 

                Romeo says, “Henbce, ‘banished’ is banished from the world.” Why would banishment be such a terrible punishment? In the Middle Ages the city seemed like the entire world to its citizens. A city was similar to an independent state. It had its own ruler, laws and army. The ruler of the city had great power. He could even decide how a criminal would be punished. One of the worst punishments was to banish or exile a person from the city. A banished person would no longer have the protection of the city. The exiled person might have to wander alone in a dangerous world of war, bandits and diseases. For some people, banishment was worse than death. In Scene iii, observe how Romeo reacts when he learns that he must leave Verona and his beloved Juliet.

                Romeo is hiding in Friar Lawrenece’s cell. He is waiting to hear of his punishment for killing Tybalt.

1.Check all the words that describe Romeo’s mood as he reacts to the news of his punishment.

a.____angry         b.___regretful       c.___suicidal        d.___hopeful        e.___prayerful      f.___stubborn

g.___controlled                                                                    h.____uncontrolled

 

2.Explain how the Nurse saves Romeo.____________________________________________________

3.According to the Friar, what does Romeo have to be thankful for? List 3 ways Romeo is fortunate.

                a.____________________________________________

                b.____________________________________________

                c.____________________________________________

 

4.The Friar tries to give Romeo courage and hope by advising him to do 3 things. List the Friar’s advice to Romeo.

                a._________________________________________________

                b._________________________________________________

                c._________________________________________________

 

Act III, Scene iv & v

                When a father chose a husband for his daughter in the Middle Ages, wealth came before love. A father wanted to find a rich husband who could provide for his daughter. The bridegroom also had to be from the same social class as the woman. It was important that a woman never marry a man from a lower social class. Romantic love was rarely the reason for 2 people to marry. A father expected his daughter to accept the man he chose for her husband. As you read these scenes, think about the risks Juliet is taking as she defies her father.

                Earlier, Paris asked Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage. In Scene iv, he comes to the Capulet home to speak to her parents again. He finds the Capulets in mourning for their beloved nephew Tybalt.

 

1.In Act I, Lord Capulet said that Paris had to win Juliet’s consent to marry. Why then does Capulet now agree to                        Paris’ request without Juliet’s approval?______________________________________________________

 

                                ___________________________________________________________________________

2.This day is Monday. _____________will wed Juliet on __________________.

 

3.Juliet says to Romeo, “It was the nightengale, not the lark, that sang in your apprehensive ear...Believe me , love, it was the nightengale.” Explain why Romeo and Juliet would rather hear the nightengale sing than the lark.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

4.As ______________leaves, Juliet has a feeling of ____________. What does __________sees that frightens her?___________________________________________________________________________

 

5.Lady Capulet tells ________________that in order to get revenge for ____________death, she will find someone in _______________who will ___________ Romeo. Lady ___________wishes ___________

dead so he will keep company with _______________.

 

6.When Juliet says that she will not marry ________, her father reacts violently. Circle the reaction Lord Capulet does not make as he scolds Juliet.

                a.Juliet is an ungrateful daughter.

                b.If Juliet disobeys him, she can die in the streets.

                c.He’d like to hit her.

                d.He will have Romeo killed.

                e.He & his wife have been cursed by having Juliet as their child.

 

7.What advice does the _____________give Juliet?_________________________________________

 

8.After hearing the Nurse’s advice, Juliet says, “Go, counselor, Thou and my bosom henceforth shall be twain.”                          Explain what Juliet means.____________________________________________________________

9.What does Juliet decide to do?________________________________________________________