Mercutio was dressed to stand out. His clothing and overall appearance would be different to that of the other characters. This shows his unique personality visually. He also has a very spontaneous personality. His mood changes at an instant.
In my play the fighting between Tybalt and Mercutio would start instantaneously from the point where Tybalt says “I am for you” (Line 82) as in Shakespeare’s original of the play. This would seem more appropriate for the production as it is more realistic, because Tybalt has come to have a fight and Mercutio’s aggravating onslaught of offence could drive anyone to turn on him. Mercutio’s spontaneous personality would put his character neatly into the situation. Anyone of a very calm nature would not end up fighting with Tybalt as Mercutio’s instant temperament would, and does.
Mercutio’s ‘split personality’ is used in every version of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ I’ve seen. This is because it is very relevant that his character can quickly change, as he is a neutral sided and cannot choose any family’s view permanently. One place in the play which both versions show this part of him is on line 130 “Consort”. His aggression is stirred at this point in both versions.
Mercutio is heavily independent, which is shown by his look in both Zeferrelli’s and Baz Luhrman’s versions. In Zeferrelli’s version Mercutio is white and wears black clothing, and in Baz Luhrman’s version Mercutio is a black-male with white clothing. This black and white image suggests his character being a performer, like a mime-artist: they are also associated with black and white dress.
Tybalt is shown differently in both Zeferrelli’s and Baz Luhrman’s versions. In Zeferrelli’s version Tybalt can be seen playing along with Mercutio’s babble, but in Baz Luhrman’s darker fight scene Tybalt is more sinister and violent. Killing Mercutio isn’t as much of an accident as in Zeferrelli’s version, in which it is very much an accidental stabbing.
I like Baz Luhrman’s more aggressive fight scene, it is more appropriate for the high-tension version I would create. I would also instruct my Tybalt to act determined to fight, and with a mind prepared to do so. It will help round off the scene more realistically.
Romeo also has a similar character in all the versions. He is naively confident that his own happiness can be shared by others. He is clearly very emotive; these wild running emotions cause him to work on instinct. I would use a very young looking actor to portray his childish views.
I would make the Montague and Capulet’s very visibly different so it is clear to the audience who is on which ‘side’. I would have the Capulet gang dressed in dark clothing. They would be wearing black and scarlet formal clothes. It would show their importance in Verona and if they wear very similar items their unity will be clear. My Montague’s will be much different. I will show this by having them wear slightly unusual clothes for the period my performance is set in. In my case my production is set in the early 21st-century so they could wear similar toned-down suits; each one unique.
I would use an aggressive sky building towards a larger storm throughout the scene to dampen the tone (As I’ve mentioned previously). “Let’s retire: The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, and, if we meet, we shall not ‘scape a brawl” Benvolio, Lines 1-3. Along with Benvolio’s alert attitude the tone would be set.
Mercutio persists in challenging this tone with cocky banter. “Come, come, thou art as hot as a jack in thy mood as any in Italy” (Line 11 Mercutio). All these factors symbolise the fight scene to follow. The sky continues to build up, showing the audience the immanent rage; Mercutio’s cockiness represents his attitude, and Benvolio’s alertness and fear of prominent situations mirrors to Romeo.
Mercutio begins to describe Benvolio; he says that Benvolio is one of those people who tend to want to draw their sword after getting drunk with no reason to do so. This is how Mercutio says it “Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of the tavern, claps his sword upon the table and says, ‘God send me no need of thee’, and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer, when indeed, there is no need” (Lines 5-9).
Are they ready for a fight? Benvolio clearly knows that there’s one waiting for them, but he is far from ready, and far from wanting one. Benvolio is intent on getting Mercutio to leave with him as soon as possible but Mercutio acts as if he couldn’t care less, despite Benvolio’s frantic behaviour.
“By my head, here come the Capulets” (line 35) Benvolio remains scared, Mercutio continues to have a lack of care.
“By my heel, I care not” (Line 36) Mercutio uses his wit combined with his lack of interest to produce his line.
Here in the scene the audience can see exactly which ‘side’ everyone is on. In my production Tybalt and friends will enter, they will look very suave and sophisticated in the same clothes and with the same posture and near perfect synchronised movement. The characters meet and Tybalt will be leading the gang predominately.
, Benvolio is predictively nervous and scared that the Capulet’s want to fight him.
“Either withdraw unto some private place, Or reason coldly of your grievances, Or else depart” (Line 50) He has come to the terms that the Capulets want to fight, and is willing to do so out of the Public eye. Warnings of further brawls in public were issued by the prince to either family at the start of the play; Benvolio is clearly a rule follower and his character is acting as Mercutio had previously told him he did; ‘Moved to be moody’ is what Mercutio had said.
Mercutio’s reaction to Tybalt’s arrival is quite the opposite. He aggravates Tybalt with persistent puns. (Tybalt line 44) “Mercutio, thou consort’st with Romeo-“. Mercutio twists the meanings of these words and uses them as a line to challenge Tybalt with. (Line 45) “Consort! What does thou make us minstrels? And thou make minstrels of us; look to hear nothing but discords. ‘Zounds, consort!”
His witty, clever twists of meanings are used very childishly to wind Tybalt up. In both versions I have seen Tybalt is unable to produce a comeback to this comeback. In the Zeferrelli version this is because he laughs along with Mercutio, whereas in Baz Luhrman’s version Tybalt gets stuck for words, and frustrates himself, making him look very bitter. I would use Baz Luhrman’s Tybalt because this aggravated version works much better. It also helps Mercutio’s wit seem much braver, and even stupider. This part of his character also shows through later on when Mercutio fights with Tybalt. Tybalt’s stubborn attitude towards this Tom-foolery just feeds Murcutio’s energy.
Romeo enters, it would be evident that Romeo is against having a fight; he backs away and doesn’t at any point fight back, despite the aggressive nature of Tybalt. “Good Capulet which name I tender as dearly as my own” (Romeo Line 70).
Tybalt appears to like the prospect of fighting anyone at this point “I am for you!” (Tybalt Line 82) In my version I would have Tybalt say this very quietly, but with a low aggression as it would make him more sinister.
Romeo attempts to intervene but there is no stopping Mercutio and Tybalt fighting. Tybalt wounds Tybalt. In Zeferrelli’s version the fight is very long and dramatised by both characters. They are both fooling around so much that when Mercutio gets wounded the Verona public are unsure whether or not this is an act.
If we look at Baz Luhrman’s version of the fight we can clearly see that it is over almost instantaneously. This symbolises the length of wars in the period they are each set in. Zeferrelli’s version is set along time ago when swords were the greatest close range weapon available. The wars of that period took years to finish as does Mercutio and Tybalts fight.
The Baz Luhrman version is set in the late 20th Century, where technology has come a long way. Close range weapons are now guns, which can be used with out any skill or effort. It is over quickly, Tybalt just shoots Mercutio in a matter of seconds. This is like the wars of recent years which are over soon after they are started.
