Literature Romeo and Juliet

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

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.

1. What do you think will happen when the two friends meet Tybalt and the Capulets?
2. How might Romeo be affected by what happens?

2 Read Extract ⁦4 on⁩ pages 98–⁦99 to⁩ see if your ideas are correct. Then answer the questions.

1. 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’?
2. Why does Mercutio fight Tybalt?
3. How does Tybalt kill Mercutio? Is it a fair fight?
4. What makes Romeo change his mind and decide to fight? How is this connected with his love for Juliet?
5. Why does the Prince decide not to punish Romeo with death? How does he punish him instead?
6. Look at the picture. Which part of the fight does it show, and who are the people?

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

1. Which suggestion do you think is best?
2. What are the possible problems of each suggestion?

a

b

c

3. Can you think of any other possibilities?
4. Compare your answers with another pair.

5 Read what happens next. Then answer the questions below.

The next morning, Romeo has to leave Verona. Juliet is of course sad, but the situation gets worse when her father decides that she should marry Paris. She can’t explain why this is impossible and doesn’t know what to do. She goes to see Friar Laurence, who explains a plan that he has thought of.

1. What do you think Friar Laurence’s plan might be?
2. What advice would you give to Romeo and Juliet at this point in the story?

Why is it impossible, and why can’t she explain?

He could run away somewhere else and take Juliet with him. Perhaps he should stay in Verona and ask Friar Laurence to hide him.

I think his only choice is to obey the law. He has to go away and forget about Juliet.