Love, Tragedy, and Drama: An Introduction to Shakespeare — Test
Question 4 • English Language Arts 9
Read Friar Laurence’s dialogue from Act V, scene iii of Romeo and Juliet . But he which bore my letter, Friar John, Was stay’d by accident, and yesternight Return’d my letter back. Based on these lines, what role did Friar John play in the catastrophe?
Answer
A
He continually forgot to deliver Friar Laurence’s letter.
B
He made the choice not to deliver Friar Laurence’s letter.
C
He delivered Friar Laurence’s letter to the wrong person.
D
He was prevented from delivering Friar Laurence’s letter.
Explanation
Friar Laurence says Friar John “was stay’d by accident,” meaning an unforeseen event prevented him from completing the delivery. He then returned the letter, so he did not choose to withhold it or deliver it to the wrong person. The correct choice is C: he was prevented from delivering Friar Laurence’s letter.
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