Question

4 what statement best explains the meaning of the extended pun in lines 11-14? a the minstrels are mercutio and romeo; they will dance after defeating tybalt. b the fiddlestick is mercutio’s sword; tybalt will dance when they fight. c the minstrels are trained fiddlers; mercutio can produce only discords. d the fiddlestick is mercutio’s anger; he and tybalt will never form a consort.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: There's no indication they'll dance after defeating Tybalt, and minstrels here are not just Mercutio and Romeo in this pun context. Eliminate A.
• Option B: In the pun, "fiddlestick" is Mercutio's sword, and "dance" refers to Tybalt being defeated (metaphorically dancing) when they fight. This fits the extended pun's meaning about the sword fight and Tybalt's fate.
• Option C: The pun isn't about trained fiddlers or Mercutio producing discords in a musical sense. Eliminate C.
• Option D: "Fiddlestick" is not anger, and "consort" (musical group) misinterprets the pun's focus on the sword fight. Eliminate D.

Answer:

B. The fiddlestick is Mercutio’s sword; Tybalt will dance when they fight.