Question

Read this excerpt from act III, scene I, of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet:

ROMEO: This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
With Tybalt's slander,—Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!

What are two central ideas of the excerpt?

Answer 1

Answer choices:

Romeo blames falling in love with Juliet as the cause of Mercutio’s death.

Romeo blames Tybalt’s hatred towards the Montagues as the cause of Mercutio’s death.

Romeo blames his own cowardice and refusal to fight as the cause of Mercutio’s death.

Romeo blames Mercutio’s impulsiveness as the cause of Mercutio’s death.

Romeo blames Benvolio’s inability to stop the fight as the cause of Mercutio’s death

Answer 2

Recall what happened right before these lines:
Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight. Romeo, who has just married Juliet (unbeknownst to Tybalt) considers Tybalt his family now and refuses to fight. Romeo stands between Tybalt and Mercutio, and then Tybalt stabs Mercutio by moving his sword around Romeo before Mercutio can respond.

Answer 3

Now re-read the passage, paying special attention to these lines:

O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!

note that effeminate means like a woman. Romeo is saying that Juliet has made him weak. The next line refers to his temper as steel that has been softened (again, suggesting weakness)

With that in mind, what do you think the two correct choices would be?