Nevertheless, Act III Scene I begins of with Benvolio whom is in fear of meeting the Capulets. There is no doubt that a fight is sure to follow. Benvolio’s mood has changed in Act II Scene IV. He was joking in the company of the nurse when he in Act II Scene IV in line 106 where he is “inditing” (inviting the nurse) presumably mocking her, and now is in fear of the Montageu. The character of Benvolio is usually associated with humour. At the beginning of this scene Benvolio is used as a narrator:” The day is hot, the capels are abroad”. The use of the literary device pathetic fallacy is used where the weather is illustrative of the mood of the particular person or of that particular scene. Shakespeare uses Benvolio as a comedian to add a touch of humour to this play. Furthermore, Shakespeare has perhaps made him an apprehensive character; this change in mood has perhaps indicated that something with great importance is to follow on later in the play. Benvolio informs Mercutios that has sent Romeo a challenge to a duel. He mocks Tybalt when he says:
“He fights as you sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and
proportion”
This indicates that Tybalt cannot fight by mocking his way of fighting. The use of puns between the two men indicates that of a happy nature. Also, Benvolio is eager for Mercutio to leave the public place as he reconciles the princes warning in Act I Scene I of the play where the consequences of fighting could inevitably lead to one of these two characters downfalls. An interesting dialogue between Mercutio and Benvolio illustrates this:
Mercutio: or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us
Bevolio: I will not budge for no man’s pleasure.
Tybalt arrives in great fashion during this scene. Shakespeare presents him uncharacteristically as civil, not the aggressive character the audience have met in the previous scenes. He talks with a great deal of respect to Mercutio and Benvolio: “Gentlemen good den, a word with one of you”. However. Mercutio is hardly impressed and responds by taunting Tybalt: “ couple it with something, make it a word and a blow”. The audience learns that the character of Mercutio has a severe dislike towards Tybalt as he is provoking Tybalt and the rivalry present between the two houses. He almost treats it as a joke that is very characteristic of Mercutio as he is seen to be a joker in this play. Moreover, Mercutio uses many words that hint that there is violence to follow. For instance: “Heres my fiddlestick”. This shows that Mercutio is ready for battle if it occurs and therefore hints that there is violence to follow. Gradually as the Scene continues Romeo enters there is a stark contrast between Tybalt’s attitude towards Romeo and his attitude towards Mercutio. He showed respect whilst talking to Mercutio but upon Romeo’s entrance his first words to him are: “Thou art a villain”. The significance of the word villain is very important. This word was used as an insult. Romeo would be dearly offended and be expected to retaliate in at least a verbal manner. However, this is not the case and he responds calmly: “To such a greeting. Villain I am none; Therefore farewell, I see you knowest me not’. Romeo is refusing Tybalt’s challenge much to Mercutio’s disgust.
During Romeo and Tybalt’s exchange the central word in conflict is that of love. Both characters use the word in different respects. Romeo uses the word genuinely:
“I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou canst devise”
He now has no hatred towards Tybalt as Tybalt is now related to him due to the secret marriage of Romeo and Juliet. His tone is that of genuiness and care. He is being sympathetic and compassionate towards Tybalt. However, on the other hand Tybalt use of the word love is very different. This illustrates he has no love towards Romeo but he has dislike and hatred towards him. The usage of the words such as “boy” and “villain” on Tybalt’s half illustrates this. Furthermore, the fierce rivalry and confrontation of these two characters represent two of the pivotal themes present in this play. Romeo demonstrates the theme of love and Tybalt explores the theme of violence.
Mercutio is less than impressed when Romeo refuses Tybalt’s challenge. During the Elizabethan age when males presented a challenge to one another it was seen as being cowardly if you declined the challenge. Male pride and ego was on the line during these battles. However, Mercutio cannot stand by and let his friend humiliate himself so he therefore does what any true friend would do. Also, it is interesting to note the fact that Shakespeare uses dramatic irony during this stage of the play; Romeo knows he has a close relationship with Tybalt as he has secretly married Juliet however Tybalt is not aware of this and this is one of the reasons Romeo is not fighting. However, Mercutio does not know of this and stands up for his friend. During the course of the play Mercutio uses a cat to reference to Tybalt the use of the word “tybs” illustrates this as this word in Elizabethan times was associated with a cat. Mercutio continually refers to Tybalt as a cat: “Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives”,
