Oh, Man, Romeo! Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Act III

With thanks to Prentice Hall now out of print text, 'Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes.'

Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet’

English 9 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act III

1.   What would you do if you were in Romeo or Juliet’s situation?

2.    Why do Mercutio and Tybalt fight in Act III, Scene i? What does Mercutio mean by his dying exclamation, ‘A plague on both your houses!”? How do these lines echo the ideas set forth in the play’s prologue?

3.    How and why does Romeo kill Tybalt? What does Romeo mean when he says, after killing Tybalt, ‘I am fortune’s foo!’?

4.   What punishment does the prince order for Romeo? Why does the Prince decide not to sentence Romeo to death, despite his threat in Act I?

5.    Describe the clashing emotions Juliet feels when Nurse reports Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s punishment. What reactions—both similar and different—do Juliet and Romeo have to Romeo’s punishment?

6.   Do you think Romeo’s punishment is fair? Support your answer.

Et Tu, Brute? Questions for Act III Julius Caesar

With thanks to the Prentice Hall Lit books 'Timeless Voice, Timeless Themes.'

Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”

English 10 Ms. Taylor

Questions Act III

1.   If you had been in the crowd at Caesar’s funeral in Scene ii, how would you have responded to Anthony’s speech?

2.   (a) Artemidorus implores Caesar to read a paper he has. How does Caesar react to this plea? (b) Why might Shakespeare include this brief scene with Artemidorus?

3.   How does Antony respond to the conspirators after the assissination?

4.   What are the motives behind his actions?

5.   How does Cassius feel about allowing Antony to speak at the funeral? Why? Why does Brutus allow Antony to speak?

6.  How do the funeral monologues delivered by Brutus and Antony compare in style and purpose? What effect does the reading of the will have on the people?

7.   How does Shakespeare build emotion into this act of the play? What effect do you think the buildup of emotion will have on what happens next?

8.   Do you think that Caesar has any responsibility for his own death? Why or why not?