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?
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 1

Romeo blames himself, because he was cowardly.

Answer 2

In this excerpt from Act III, Scene I of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", the two central ideas are Romeo blames falling in love with Juliet as the cause of Mercutio’s death and Romeo blames his own cowardice and refusal to fight as the cause of Mercutio's death. Tybalt calls Romeo a villain. Romeo refuses to fight him because he has just married Juliet in secret. In his place, Mercutio draws his sword and fights Tybalt. Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt when Romeo places himself between them to stop the fight. Mercutio is badly wounded and dies. Romeo blames himself for he has become "effeminate" because of his love for Juliet, and as a consequence of his cowardice, Mercutio died.