Mercutio Character Analysis

Mercutio is from a very famous story from William Shakespeare called Romeo and Juliet. The play "Romeo and Juliet" was written between 1589 and 1595. When we first see Mercutio we know straight away he is witty and clever. He joins Romeo, his good friend, and they exchange puns. For example Mercutio says "you are a lover borrow Cupids' wings and soar with them above common bound."

There is evidence to show that Mercutio values his friendship with Romeo a lot. Even though on the outside he might not show it, his subtle words and actions points out that he cares for Romeo's wellbeing and wishes the best for his friend. This can be seen when Mercutio remarked that Romeo is back to his old self. Although Mercutio was unaware of Romeo's secret marriage to Juliet, he noticed the change in his mood just from his behaviour. Mercutio may be a jester who mocks and taunts however there must be another side to him, perhaps a gentle one that we have yet to see but sadly never will.

Tybalt intended to fight Romeo because he disliked his presence at the Capulet’s party but after Romeo refuses to fight Mercutio feels the need to fight for him instead. This is not the only time Mercutio is a display of masculinity in the play. As Romeo’s friend he likes to mock him, calling him an petrarchan lover and joking about his version of love. The difference to Romeo is also found when juxtaposing how Romeo and Mercutio speak. For instance, when Romeo talks about the girls he is in love with or has a crush on he talks in poetic sentences. In comparision, Mercutios:” Laura was a kitchen slave. Surely she has a better love to make rhymes for her. Dido was shabbily dressed. Cleopatra was a gypsy girl. Helen and Hero were sluts and harlots.

This also means that Benvolio is to blame for Mercutio’s death because he persuaded Romeo to go to this party where he met Juliet ‘Go hither, and with unattained eye / Compare her face with some that I shall show.’ If Benvolio hadn’t persuaded Romeo to go to Capulet’s party, he wouldn’t have met Juliet.

but there maybe a light hearted side to it all. However he does by his

In act 1 the people say “When I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids; I will cut off their heads.” What the people are foreshadowing is that they will fight the others and in the end, they do. Once again with foreshadowing in act 1, the author states, "Take thou some new infection to thy eye, / And the rank poison of the old will die". What Benvolio is trying to talk Romeo out of his heart-ache for Rosaline, Benvolio advises him the quote above. It

The word ‘love’ shows that Romeo is a kind hearted, peaceful person. However by using the quotation above this unintentionally annoys Tybalt. On the other hand Tybalt uses language which is completely different to how Romeo uses it, “Romeo the hate that I bare thee can afford no better term than this, -- thou art a villain”. When Tybalt uses the word ‘hate’ this provokes Mercutio as he does not like the way Tybalt is talking about Romeo. Tybalt uses aggressive hateful language and has no respect in the way he talks towards the other characters. Moreover this shows that it does not matter how nice or horrible characters language is, it still can cause conflict between the characters and they do become aggressive.

" Mercutio was correct in his predictions. The love between Romeo and Juliet ends up a tragedy for both families. Mercutio's character is essential in driving the action forward in this play. He foreshadows the devastating events, serves as Romeo's friend, and gives the audience important information throughout the play. Mercutio's death is the turning point in the play.

They have made worms meat of me,” (3.1, 68-69). This quote exemplifies that although Mercutio is neither a Montague nor a Capulet he still dies in a battle fought between the families. This incident heightens Romeo’s fatal flaw, as his reckless act of heroism turned out to be a burden as it caused the death of Mercutio. Moreover, Mercutio’s plague towards the families also foreshadows further tragedy, as Romeo then gets banished from the Verona, along with additional events which later on result to his death. Last, even after his death, Mercutio acts as a foil character to Romeo by causing a shift in Romeo’s gentle character. For example, after Tybalt slays Mercutio, Romeo avenges his friend by killing Tybalt. This act shows his alteration in character, as he was never seen as a ferocious character in any previous scenes. This is evident in the play when Romeo says, “Away to Heaven, respective lenity, and fire-eyed fury be my conduct now,” (3.1, 125-126). This quote exemplifies Romeo’s new perception, as he claims he is finished with sympathy and gentleness. This change in Romeo’s personality is significant because not only is he going to attack Tybalt, but also he is going to kill him, which then entitles him a murderer. This is significant because it further leads to his banishment, which in all leads to his death. The transition in the persona of Romeo is highlighted by the character Mercutio, which leads to the

Friar Laurence’s character flaws greatly impacted the end result of the play. The Friar should be punished for his poorly made decisions throughout Shakespeare’s story. His first mistake was when he initially helped Romeo and Juliet with the aid of the Nurse. Both Romeo and Juliet are children and their parents should be included in every decision made for them. The Friar married Romeo and Juliet in Act 3 of the play. “Till Holy Church incorporate two in one” (3.1.37) The marriage was the start of many issues. Such as Juliet’s inability to wed Paris, being a married lady. This led to Friar’s next choice of giving Juliet the sleeping potion—making her appear dead. “Take this vial, being then in bed,” (4.1.93) Giving Juliet the poison was the reason why so many characters had died in the end of Act 5 of the play. Paris had died fighting Romeo because he thought he was attempting to steal Juliet’s “dead” body. Romeo, ignorant of the fact that Juliet was not dead, killed himself. Juliet committed suicide because of her fiancé lying next to her lifeless. The poison given by Friar

This results in Romeo’s fate to be darkened. Second, Mercutio shows how Romeo is constantly dreaming. Mercutio’s realism contrasts Romeo’s head in the clouds. This is revealed when Mercutio says “True, I talk of dreams, which [is] the [child] of an [inactive] brain,” (1.4, 96-97). This quote exemplifies that dreaming cannot be a portent, and that it can change just like the wind. This also shows that Mercutio has a flamboyant imagination, while demonstrating his mocking side. This quote also acts as foreshadowing in which shows that if Romeo keeps his head in the clouds he will make mistakes in life, such as him quickly marring Juliet. Moreover, this quote reveals that Mercutio is an important foil character because his view on love contrasts that of Romeo. Mercutio’s view on love is that it is futile, however Romeo thinks of it as a key component to life. Mercutio’s mocking of the hopeless love, makes Romeo’s view look stronger and more passionate. Third, Mercutio shows how serious Romeo is. Mercutio always talks in a witting and light-hearted way, in which contrasts to Romeo’s seriousness. Mercutio always uses clever wordplay and puns to mock people and bring comic relief into the play. This is emphasized when Mercutio says “And but one word with one of us? ... Make it a word and a blow,” (3.1, 40-41). This quote illustrates the comedy that Mercutio brings. At the edgy moment when Tybalt was about to fight, Mercutio still made a mockery of him.

If there was no hatred between the two families, then Romeo would have never had to step in front of Mercutio and cause the serious consequences.

The play, Romeo and Juliet, is a very popular tragedy that many people have read or seen performed on a stage. There are many different characters with contrasting personalities that make up this complex story. Two main characters are Mercutio and Benvolio, and they both play a major role in the events that take place in this play. Mercutio is a foil to Benvolio and we can see how these two people have opposite qualities and will react differently to difficult situations. Conflicts in the play will show us how Mercutio is hot headed and quick to act, while Benvolio is calm and logical.

As a friend of Romeo’s, Mercutio supports the Montague’s in the ancient feud. An example of Mercutio defending the Montague’s is when Tybalt, a member of the loathed Capulet family, abuses Romeo and Mercutio intervenes on Romeo’s behalf. Attempting to restore peace, Romeo gets between the two combatants and Mercutio “hath got his mortal hurt” (Page 149; Act 3, Scene 1) on Romeo’s account. In spite of his “life shall pay the forfeit of peace” (page 17; Act 1, Scene 1), Romeo seeks revenge on Tybalt as he loves his murdered friend. As Romeo kills Tybalt out of love for Mercutio, Shakespeare suggests that love conquered the thought of being penalized with death.

Mercutio suggests the theme of irony and Benvolio suggests the theme of kindness in the play. Together, they describe the meaning of friendship. On the streets in Verona, Tybalt approaches Romeo’s friends, Benvolio and Mercutio, looking for a fight against Romeo. Tybalt immediately accuses Romeo of many things after the party as soon as he enters the room. Mercutio being a very good friend steps up to fight Tybalt for Romeo. Romeo tries to stop the fight but quick Tybalt stabs Mercutio with rage. Dying Mercutio says with anger, “ Help me into some house, Benvolio,