Literature Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet: after the fight with Tybalt

A short time later, Benvolio and Mercutio are walking in the town when they see Tybalt and some other young members of the Capulet family.

• Read Extract 4 on pages 98–99 to see if your ideas are correct.
• Look at the suggestions about what Romeo could do now.
• a He could run away somewhere else and take Juliet with him.
• b Perhaps he should stay in Verona and ask Friar Laurence to hide him.
• c I think his only choice is to obey the law. He has to go away and forget about Juliet.

Read the short introduction to the next part of the play. Then discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups.

What do you think will happen when the two friends meet Tybalt and the Capulets?

How might Romeo be affected by what happens?

What does Romeo mean when he tells Tybalt, ‘I have a reason to love you’ and ‘your name is as important to me as my own’?

Why does Mercutio fight Tybalt?

How does Tybalt kill Mercutio? Is it a fair fight?

What makes Romeo change his mind and decide to fight? How is this connected with his love for Juliet?

Why does the Prince decide not to punish Romeo with death? How does he punish him instead?

Look at the picture. Which part of the fight does it show, and who are the people?

Look at the suggestions about what Romeo could do now. Then discuss the questions below in pairs.

Which suggestion do you think is best?

What are the possible problems of each suggestion?

a _ b c __ Can you think of any other possibilities?

Compare your answers with another pair.

Read what happens next. Then answer the questions below.

What do you think Friar Laurence’s plan might be?

What advice would you give to Romeo and Juliet at this point in the story?