Romeo and Juliet: Close Reading Worksheet
Act 3, Scene 1
Comprehension Questions:
1) Why does Benvolio urge Tybalt and Mercutio to take their fight off the streets?
2) How does Romeo act when he and Tybalt first meet?
3) To the very end, Mercutio retains his wit. Give an example of pun in his lines before he
dies.
4) Why does Romeo decide to fight Tybalt?
5) Why doesn’t the Prince have Romeo executed?
Directions: Explain what is meant by the following quotes:
“The day is hot, the Capulets abroad/ And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl;.”
“Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee/ Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
To such a greeting:”
“A plague o' both your houses! They have made worms' meat of me.”
Romeo and Juliet: Close Reading Worksheet
Act 3, Scene 2
Comprehension Questions:
1) “Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love,
But not yet possessed it; and though I am sold,
Not yet enjoyed. So tedious is this day
As is the night before some festival
To an impatient child that hath new robes
And may not wear them” (III.ii.26-31).
Explain the comparison that Juliet is making in the above lines. What is her mood during this
opening speech? How do you feel, as the audience, watching Juliet speak this way, knowing
what has just happened in the act’s opening scene?
2) Why does Juliet not blame Romeo for Tybalt’s death?
3) What does the Nurse promise to do?
4) What does Juliet give the nurse to give to Romeo?
Directions: Explain what is meant by the following quotes:
“O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face!;.”
“But I, a maid, die maiden-widowed.”
Romeo and Juliet: Close Reading Worksheet
Act 3, Scene 3, 4 and 5
Comprehension Questions:
1. “Ha, banishment! be merciful, say 'death;'
For exile hath more terror in his look,
Much more than death: do not say 'banishment.'
There is no world without Verona walls,
But purgatory, torture, hell itself.
Hence-banished is banish'd from the world,
And world's exile is death: then banished,
Is death mis-term'd: calling death banishment,
Thou cutt'st my head off with a golden axe,
And smilest upon the stroke that murders me” (III.iii.13-15,18-24).
Romeo learns of his punishment for killing Tybalt from Friar Lawrence. How does he react?
Do you think his emotions are reasonable, or do you believe that he is overreacting? Explain.
2)
Friar Lawrence reminds Romeo that, “A pack of blessings light upon thy back,”
(III.iii.141). What are these, according to Friar Lawrence? (hint: look for, “there art
thou happy” in his speech III.iii.109-58)
3) For what reason(s) does Paris believe it has been difficult for him to become close with
Juliet and let her know how he really feels about her?
Act 3, Scene 3, 4 and 5 (cont’d)
4) How do the plans Lord Capulet makes with Paris directly contradict the statements he
makes during their first discussion in I.ii?
5) How are these plans dangerous for Friar Lawrence? Explain.
6) As the scene opens, Juliet famously argues that, “It was the nightingale, and not the lark/
that pierced the fearful hollow of thine ear” (III.v.2-3). Why does she want to believe
this? Why would she try to lie to Romeo about which bird is singing outside of her
window?
7) As Romeo and Juliet part, Juliet exclaims,
“O God, I have an ill-divining soul!
Methinks I see thee, now thou art so low,
As one dead in the bottom of a tomb.
Either my eyesight fails, or thou lookest pale” (III.v.54-7).
Romeo responds…
“And trust me love, in my eyes so do you.
Dry sorrow drinks our blood. Adieu, adieu!” (III.v.58-9).
In what ways might this exchange be foreshadowing what is to come? Make predictions
about what will happen to Romeo and Juliet (beyond the obvious, “they’re going to
die”) based on these lines.
Act 3, Scene 3, 4 and 5 (cont’d)
8) How does Capulet react to Juliet in this scene? What ultimatum does he give Juliet?
9) What advice does the nurse give Juliet? Is this a realistic/ possible option? Why, or
why not?