Question

Read the excerpt from Act I, scene iii 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.

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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?

a to explain the history of the feuding families
b to criticize Romeo’s neglect of his duties
c to condemn the established ritual of sword fighting
d to contrast the seriousness of Tybalt’s challenge

Answer 1

d. to contrast the seriousness of tybalts challenge

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Answer 2

Answer: the right answer is d. to contrast the seriousness of Tybalt's challenge.

Explanation: Tybalt is the son of lady Capulet's brother, Juliet's quick-tempered first cousin and Romeo's rival. Mercutio alludes to Tybalt in a mocking way to claim that he is a serious pretender to Juliet's love.