Mercutio's Influence On Romeo And Juliet

Mercutio steps in to protect his friend, Romeo, from the dangers of the villainous Tybalt Capulet. Unfortunately, Mercutio dies in both versions of Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," never making it to the end of the story lines. However, Mercutio dies portrayed as a hero in Luhrmann's portrayal of "Romeo and Juliet," by attempting to save Romeo from Tybalt, unlike in the play, where he is seen as the joker he has always been. Mercutio's portrayal as a hero probably occurred because of Luhrmann's dislike of the way Mercutio died in the play. Nonetheless, Mercutio still suffered the same fate that occurred to him in both versions.

Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence: Mercutio’s spontaneous remarks and instinctive actions while interacting with others reflect his impulsive character. Evidence 1: When Romeo tells Mercutio that Rosaline’s vow of chastity is “Too rough,/ Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like a thorn” (1.4. 25-26), Mercutio responds, “If love be rough with you, be rough with love;/ Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” (1.4. 27-28).

. Firstly, Tybalt is to blame for Mercutio’s death as he actually gave him the wound that killed him. Also, Tybalt provokes Mercutio by insulting Romeo, ‘Thou art a villain.’ This is one of the biggest insults that Tybalt can give and would usually be followed by a duel. However, Romeo calmly replies by saying ‘Villain I am none / Therefore farewell. I see thou know’st me not.’ Because Romeo is not defending his honour, Mercutio is provoked by Tybalt’s insults and starts insulting Tybalt himself. This is what leads to the two of them fighting and Mercutio getting his fatal wound. So, if Tybalt didn’t insult Romeo or fight Mercutio, Mercutio wouldn’t have been killed.

To begin with, Mercutio is a good friend to Romeo in that he stands up for Romeo when in need. In Act III, Scene I, there is a scene in which Tybalt, Mercutio, and Romeo are conversing. In lines 59-60, Tybalt says, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain.” This

Love has already overcome him and controls all of his thoughts and actions. This love prevents Mercutio from saving Romeo and keeping peace between the families. In Act 3, scene 1, Mercutio fights Tybalt on behalf of Romeo and his relationship with Romeo. Romeo attempts to break up the fight, but Tybalt stabs Mercutio. As he is dying, Mercutio says, "A plague o' both your houses!

eye, / Shot through the ear with a love song.” Early on in the play,

Additionally, after Romeo’s marriage with Juliet he gets in the middle of a fight. If Romeo did not engage in the brawl between Mercutio his best friend and Tybalt his opposing rival, they would still have a fair chance at survival. Mercutio engages in a fight with Tybalt on Romeo’s behalf because Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt, since Tybalt is now Romeo’s cousin-in-law. In addition, Romeo attempts to break up the progressive fight, but his actions are futile. Furthermore, Romeo getting among Mercutio and Tybalt does more harm than good because Mercutio dies. The only explanation of how Mercutio dies is that Tybalt is able to pierce Mercutio’s chest under Romeo’s arm. Romeo blocks Mercutio’s view, leaving him defenseless and feeble.

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

In contrast, Mercutio attempts to stop Tybalt’s thirst for vengeance when he tries to duel Romeo but ultimately gets killed in the process of trying to save his good friend from being killed by Tybalt which causes Romeo to take vengeance upon Tybalt by killing him.

Purpose of the Deaths: Romeo and Juliet In the novel “No Fear Shakespeare; Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare multiple characters may be responsible for the deaths of six characters in the book: Romeo, Juliet, Lady Montague, Paris, Tybalt, and Mercutio. Although Mercutio was one of the characters who was killed in the story, it is evident that Mercutio is primarily responsible for the other five characters’ deaths in the novel. Mercutio is responsible for the deaths of the other characters for two reasons, one being Mercutio is very presumptuous and overconfident. Another reason Mercutio can be blamed for the downfall of the other characters is his incompetence to control is temper or behavior.

Few stories are as renowned and appreciated as those written by William Shakespeare. His many plays have survived the centuries, and one of his most well-known plays, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, tells the story of two-star crossed lovers as their lives are lead to tragedy because of a feud between their families. Fate works against them, and they both end up killing themselves thinking they can not live without the other. One of the qualities of this play is it recurring use of foils to highlight the attributes of another character.. Mercutio serves as a foil for Romeo to help built both characters by their view of love, how they showcase one another’s flaws, and how Mercutio’s death motivates Romeo fro the purpose of giving the audience a deeper understanding.

Mercutio was responsible for Romeo attending the ball. In Act I, scene IV, Mecrutio, Benvolio, and Romeo attend a ball hosted by the Capulets. Two scenes ago, Romeo was asked to read off a list of guests to invite to the ball by a Capulet servant. After reading the list, he was given an invitation to the ball. Mercutio then convinces Romeo to attend after Romeo mentions a dream that he had. At the ball itself Romeo is very unhappy. Romeo’s sadness is evident in this quote: “Give me a torch. I am not for this ambling. Being but heavy I will bear the light”(I, iiii, 11-12). Romeo continues to struggle

Mercutio is one of Romeo’s closest friends. He tries to council Romeo through his heartbreak over Rosaline by bringing him to the annual Capulet house party, and even stands up for Romeo when Tybalt comes to Romeo seeking suppressed revenge on him for crashing the party. Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt because he considers him family, now that he is wedded to his cousin. Mercutio deems his attempt to reason with Tybalt as “vile submission” and a disappointed Mercutio takes on Tybalt instead, defending Romeo. When Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt, he says “I was hurt under your arm.”

An essential element which leads to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet’s deaths is the pressure that Romeo feels to please his peers. This desire to please his friends causes him to not want to tell them of his love for Juliet. Mercutio, one of Romeo’s comrades, is constantly referring to love in a sexual sense rather than a romantic one. Romeo adjusts his speech and actions accordingly so he still fits in with his peers. When the Nurse is looking for Romeo so she can bring news back to Juliet, Romeo allows Mercutio to make inappropriate jokes at her expense, such as; “No hare, sir, unless a hare, sir, in a Lenten pie—that is, something stale and hoar ere it be spent.” (Shakespeare, II.iv.68-69). This intense contrast between Mercutio and Romeo’s

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.