Comic Relief · English Literature

Mercutio's 'Queen Mab' speech in 'Romeo and Juliet' is an example of comic relief that also serves to:

  1. Foreshadow the tragic end of the play through dark imagery
  2. Establish Tybalt as the principal antagonist and hint at his violent intentions
  3. Provide useful historical and civic background on the city-state of Verona
  4. Allude to Romeo's impulsive character and his coming secret marriage to Juliet
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Foreshadow the tragic end of the play through dark imagery

While the speech is witty and fantastic, providing relief from Romeo's moping, it gradually becomes darker and more chaotic. This mirrors the play's overall shift from a comedy of love to a tragedy of fate.

Difficulty: Medium Question 18 of 20

Practice all 20 Comic Relief questions

Keep practicing

More Comic Relief questions