Question

In this excerpt from act II, scene IV, of Romeo and Juliet, what is the main idea? BENVOLIO: Tybalt, the kinsman of old Capulet, Hath sent a letter to his father's house. MERCUTIO: A challenge, on my life. 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? Mercutio believes Romeo is too preoccupied with girls and romance to fight Tybalt. Mercutio believes that Romeo doesn’t have the physical strength to fight Tybalt. Mercutio believes that Tybalt’s letter is only a threat and the actual fight won’t happen. Mercutio believes that Romeo will try to convince Tybalt not to resort to violence.

Answer 1

Answer: A) Mercutio believes Romeo is too preoccupied with girls and romance to fight Tybalt.

Explanation: In the given excerpt from Act II, scene IV of "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, we can see a conversation between Benvolio and Mercutio about Romeo and his chances if he decides to fight Tybalt. Benvolio thinks Romeo will answer Tybalt's challenge but Mercutio thinks Romeo is in love and too preoccupied with girls and romance to fight Tybalt, he says that in the lines "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?"

Answer 2

Mercutio believes Romeo is too preoccupied with girls and romance to fight Tybalt.  I would say that this is the best answer considering what Mercutio says about the love song part.