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 is the central idea of the excerpt?

Answer 1

A. "Thy beauty hath made me effeminate" Juliet's beauty has made him feminine, therefore he couldn't fight Tybalt.

Answer 2

In this excerpt, Romeo complains about the effect that Juliet's love has had on him. Romeo refused to fight Tybalt, as he is Juliet's cousin. However, because of this reluctance, Mercutio had to engage with Tybalt, and this led to his death. Romeo argues that his love for Juliet has made him soft, and because of this, Mercutio died.