When Tybalt enters Mercutio character has been designed to humour the audience, Mercutio insults Tybalt and contradicts his word, not only do the audience find Mercutio’s antics appealing but the Capulets do also, Tybalt’s men stand behind him laughing and the abuse that Mercutio hurls towards him. “…couple it with something; make it a word and a blow.” Mercutio knows that Tybalt is a good fighter so he is provoking him before Romeo enters, Mercutio character was very good with his words and wound Tybalt up well. Even later on when Tybalt dies the language that Shakespeare had used for Mercutio’s character was still playful. Mercutio in his dying moments uses puns “…No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door; but 'tis enough, ‘twill serve: ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” Mercutio is saying that his wounds from his brawl with Tybalt are not so bad and he will still be there tomorrow, but as we know a “grave man” he will be as he dies just moments later.
Romeo enters while Tybalt and Mercutio are still mid argument, but Tybalt tries to end it with Mercutio, “Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my
man” but Mercutio is still quick with his reactions of what he says, he understands what Tybalt is trying to imply about Romeo is being his man, therefore a slave to him and is all the more confused and irritated.
Shakespeare I feel has purposefully brought the tension up to an even higher level from Romeo’s arrival, as the drama to flow wouldn’t be possible without the conflict before. The audience are aware of Romeo’s marriage to Juliet in the previous scene and are unsure of what will flow, the line between love and hate is fine but know one is aware of what action Romeo will take. Will Romeo settle this quarrel for his new love Juliet or will he show no mercy, and stick by his true friend. The audience also know that the Prince earlier in the play emphasised that the next person to cause trouble on the streets of Verona would be killed.
As Romeo enters his mood does not compel with the rest of the characters, he thinks that noting can stop him being so happy, he is loved up and doesn’t feel the need to harm anyone, even Tybalt after all the words he has just exchanged with his best friend Mercutio. The drama increases as Romeo tries to tell the two how he feels and how he can’t fight for they are all joined by love.
Mercutio is hurt and betrayed and as a result of this finds himself fighting in place of Romeo this hurts him emotionally as he now looks a fool after setting up a fight and it not happening the way it should have. Tybalt is a great swords man and Mercutio loses on skill. To begin with when Mercutio is stabbed Romeo’s love for him is not enough for Romeo to fight Tybalt. “… A plague o' both your houses!” These words of Mercutio show the hurt and betrayal he feels towards Romeo, this is then what makes Romeo want to fight Tybalt.
Tybalt leaves the stage just after he kills Mercutio build up the tension that the audience feel. It leaves them wondering the reaction of Romeo and will his marriage to Juliet have any effect on his actions. “… O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate.” Romeo is frustrated and anger is growing as Tybalt returns to gloat. Romeo sees red and feels he as a duty as the friend of Mercutio to kill Tybalt.
Once Romeo has left the Prince enters the stage the audience think that Romeo will be killed for the trouble that has been cause but he is only banished. Shakespeare’s play would not of been such a success if Romeo would have killed Romeo at this point, the play would have no suspense and no unexpected changes if the Price would have kept his promise.
