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

Answer:  Romeo is speaking about how his friend Mercutio just got killed, and how he just killed Mercutio's slayer Tybalt.  He's down in the mouth for this, and calling out to Juliet, saying her beauty had made his soft towards his new relation Tybalt. He feels guilty because he was the one challenged by Tybalt, and Mercutio answered it for him.

Answer 2

His love for juliet is making him less brave leading to the death of murcutio instead of his own