Question

read the excerpt from act iii, scene iii of romeo and juliet. romeo: ha! banishment! be merciful, say death; for exile hath more terror in his look, much more than death: do not say banishment. which is the best paraphrase of this dialogue? death is more frightening than banishment. banishment is a worse punishment than death. death and banishment are deserved punishments. banishment is equal to the pain of death.

Explanation:

To find the best paraphrase, analyze Romeo's dialogue: he says banishment has "more terror" and is "much more than death", meaning he considers banishment worse than death.

• First option: Contradicts Romeo's view (he finds banishment worse, not death).
• Second option: Matches his assertion that banishment is a worse punishment.
• Third option: The dialogue is about his perception of punishment severity, not if they're deserved.
• Fourth option: He says banishment is worse, not equal.

Answer:

B. Banishment is a worse punishment than death.