Romeo & Juliet: Act III

 

For each of the following quotations from Romeo and Juliet, write down the context of the quotation and then reflect on the meaning and significance of the quotation. Write at least a paragraph about each quotation. Be sure to analyze any use of irony, metaphor, pun, etc.

 

  1. Romeo: This gentleman, the Prince’s near ally,              

My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt

In my behalf—my reputation stained

With Tybalt’s slander—Tybalt, an hour

Hath been my cousin. O sweet Juliet,

Thy beauty hath made me effeminate

And in my temper soft’ned valor’s steel!                        (III, i, 107 – 113)

 

  1. Juliet:    Give me my Romeo; and when he shall die,                  

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night

And pay no worship to the garish sun.               (III, ii, 21 – 25)

 

  1. Juliet:    I wonder at this haste, that I must wed              

Ere he that should be husband comes to woo.

I pray you tell my lord and father, madam,

I will not marry yet; and when I do, I swear

It shall be Romeo, who you know I hate,

Rather than Paris. These are news indeed.                     (III, v, 19 – 24)

 

  1. Capulet: Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch!         

I tell thee what—get thee to church a Thursday

Or never after look me in the face.

Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!

My fingers itch. Wife, we scarce thought us blest

That God had lent us but this only child;

But now I see this one is one too much              (III, v, 161 – 167)

 

  1. Juliet:    My husband is on earth, my faith in heaven.                  

How shall that faith return again to earth

Unless that husband sent it me from heaven

By leaving earth? Comfort me, counsel me.

Alack, alack, that heaven should practice stratagems

Upon so soft a subject as myself!                                  (III, v, 207 – 210)