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?

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

ITS 1 AND 3

Explanation: FOR ALL PLATO USERS

Answer 2

The correct answer is A. Romeo blames falling in love with Juliet as the cause of Mercutio's death.

After Mercutio dies, Romeo says, "O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate And in my temper soften'd valour's steel." Here, he is saying that, because he fell in love with Juliet, he became weak. His love softened "valour's steel" -- or the brave metal of a sword -- making him unable to fight his enemy Tybalt.

The implication is that, had he not fallen in love with Juliet, he would have been strong enough to fight Tybalt and his friend would not have died. Therefore he blames falling in love with Juliet as the cause of his friend's death.