Asked by jo

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

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
"Banishment is a worse punishment than death."

Romeo is begging that his punishment be called death instead, because to him exile (banishment) feels more terrifying and painful than dying.