Read the excerpt from Act I, scene iv of Romeo and Juliet . Benvolio : Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, Hath sent a letter to his father’s house. Mercutio : A challenge, on my life. (10) Benvolio : Romeo will answer it. Mercutio : Any man that can write may answer a letter. Benvolio : Nay, he will answer the letter’s master, how he dares, being dared. Mercutio : Alas! poor Romeo, he is already dead; stabbed with a white wench’s black eye; shot through the ear with a love-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow-boy’s butt-shaft; and is he a man to encounter Tybalt? Why does Shakespeare include Mercutio’s teasing words?
Answer
A
to contrast the seriousness of Tybalt’s challenge
B
to explain the history of the feuding families
C
to condemn the established ritual of sword fighting
D
to criticize Romeo’s neglect of his duties
Explanation
Mercutio jokes that Romeo has been “stabbed” and “shot” by love, so he is too lovesick to face Tybalt. This teasing contrasts Romeo’s romantic preoccupation with the real seriousness of Tybalt’s challenge. The passage does not explain the families’ history or criticize Romeo for neglecting a duty.
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