In Act III, Scene 3, when Romeo tells Friar Lawrence, "'Tis torture and not mercy," he is...

tts Icon

expressing grief over the death of Mercutio.
tts Icon

speaking metaphorically about how his love for Juliet is a mixture of pain and pleasure.
tts Icon

rationalizing his decision to kill Tybalt.
tts Icon

responding to the friar's admonotion that he should be thankful he was only banished and not sentenced to death.

1 answer

In Act III, Scene 3 of "Romeo and Juliet," when Romeo tells Friar Lawrence, "'Tis torture and not mercy," he is responding to the friar's admonition that he should be thankful he was only banished and not sentenced to death. Romeo expresses his despair and anguish over being separated from Juliet, feeling that banishment is a form of torture rather than a merciful outcome.