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?

1 Romeo blames falling in love with Juliet as the cause of Mercutio’s death.
2 Romeo blames Tybalt’s hatred towards the Montagues as the cause of Mercutio’s death.
3 Romeo blames his own cowardice and refusal to fight as the cause of Mercutio’s death.
4 Romeo blames Mercutio’s impulsiveness as the cause of Mercutio’s death.
5 omeo blames Benvolio’s inability to stop the fight as the cause of Mercutio’s death.

Answer 1

the answer is 3) Romeo blames his own cowardice and refusal to fight as the cause of Mercutio's death.

Answer 2

This is seen when Romeo himself states that "Thy beauty hath made me effeminate". Had he not fallen in love with Juliet, he would have done something to prevent what happened.

But he also blames himself: "My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt

In my behalf"

There are two correct answers:

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

and

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