Analyse the role of Mercutio in 'Romeo and Juliet, Act three scene one'

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Rachel Wilkins

Analyse the role of Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet, Act three scene one’

Mercutio is a close friend and companion of Romeo’s.  He enjoys joking with Romeo and seeks Romeo’s attention.  

        Shakespeare included Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as he entertains the audience with his eccentric and witty speeches.  Throughout the pain, love and suffering Mercutio provides a humorous break from the emotional tragedy.  Mercutio is a catalyst in the play:  he convinces Romeo to go to the Capulet’s party, where he meets Juliet; Mercutio’s death sets off the chain of events leading to Romeo’s banishment, and turns the play into a tragedy.  Mercutio also reveals some of Romeo’s character and thoughts when they speak.  Mercutio is not a typical young man of the sixteenth century, he is unique and complex.  He is disrespectful of his elders and women, and does not believe in ‘courtly love.’

        An audience would like Mercutio.  He is witty and comical- entertaining the audience.  They would enjoy his dynamic, flamboyant, dramatic, strong character and would be shocked by his disgust for dreams and disrespect for Juliet’s nurse.  The audience would be astonished by Mercutio’s intelligence and ability to manipulate attention to him.  They would admire his faithfulness towards Romeo; his bravery and courage and the amount of energy he puts into the things he says and does.  

        Mercutio sounds a bit like Mercurial, unpredictably changeable.  Mercutio changes his moods a great deal throughout the play.  At times he is playful- making banter with Romeo and Benvolio; other times he is rude and impertinent- as he was to the nurse; and sometimes he is startlingly angry- as in his queen Mab speech.

        Mercutio sounds like Mercury, the messenger God with a lot of spirit.  He presents the message that dreams are bad and also introduces a lot of views Shakespeare probably had- such as misogyny.  

        Mercury is also a metal.  It is the only metal that is a liquid, so is unique and memorable.  Mercutio is unique and memorable in the play.

        In Act three scene one, it is obvious that Mercutio is in the mood for a fight as he insists on staying in the public place where he will surely meet the Capulets.  Moreover he speaks of quarrelling when he talks.  This shows the audience that Mercutio is dramatic, and enjoys fighting.

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Benvolio wants to leave because he realises that if they meet the Capulets they ‘shall not ‘scape a brawl’.  Mercutio next accuses Benvolio of being ‘as hot as a Jack’ when clearly Benvolio is a pacifist so less likely to start a fight.  Mercutio is being playful; he is bored and enjoys ‘playing’ with Benvolio.  The row illustrates the fact that Mercutio does not like Benvolio being a pacifist; he does not think it is honourable.  Mercutio also has this ridiculous quarrel because he is determined to have a fight.  He is time wasting to make sure he meets the ...

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