Question

in act iii, scene 5, the nurse says
romeos a dishclout to him. an eagle, madam,
hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye
as paris hath. beshrew my very heart,
i think you are happy in this second match, 235
for it excels your first, or, if it did not,
your first is dead, or twere as good he were
as living here and you no use of him.
how do these lines contribute to the development of the play’s plot?
○ they provide the reason why juliet loses her biggest ally.
○ they provide the reason why juliet decides to marry paris.
○ they provide the reason why juliet listens to her parents.
○ they provide the reason why juliet runs away from home.

Explanation:

The Nurse, who was Juliet's ally in her relationship with Romeo, now praises Paris and devalues Romeo (saying Romeo is a "dishclout" to Paris, and that Juliet's first match (Romeo) is dead or useless). This causes Juliet to lose the Nurse's support, making the first option correct. The second option is wrong as Juliet doesn't decide to marry Paris. The third is wrong as Juliet resists her parents' wishes. The fourth is wrong as Juliet runs away due to the plan to fake her death, not this.

Answer:

A. They provide the reason why Juliet loses her biggest ally.