I think that Mercutio’s main role in the play emphasises these traits and it is Shakespeare’s portrayal of him as the opposite to Romeo in many ways, that adds appeal to the story.
Romeo is shown as a dreamer and his views on love and his relationships are quite romantic and idealistic. Mercutio on the other hand, takes a more grounded, almost cynical view on relationships between lovers
‘If love be rough with you, be rough with love;
Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down’
Although Mercutio’s ideas can be seen as cold or un-romantic, his gaiety and fun-loving nature often contrast with Romeo’s brooding and serious state of mind and it is in these conflicts that we are shown the friend’s relationship, which I believe is at the core of the plot.
Without Mercutio I think Romeo would be lost in a world of melancholy and depression. Mercutio’s well-meaning, but sometimes harsh, words to Romeo appear to keep him grounded and his mind off more serious thoughts and ideas
‘You are a lover; borrow Cupid’s wings,
And soar above a common bound’
This is a typical statement from Mercuito. He realises Romeo’s plight but at the same time continues his realistic views and makes light of the situation. To this Romeo replies in an almost depressed manner highlighting further his seriousness
‘I am too sore enpierced with his shaft
To soar with his light feathers; and so bound
I cannot bound a pitch above a dull woe:
Under love’s heavy burden do I sink.
Without Mercutio’s input I think Romeo would constantly harbour these pessimistic views and his love for Juliet, or any other, would be less likely to exist.
It is not until later in the play that we realise Mercutio’s importance to both Romeo and the story. Due to Mercutio’s close friendship with Romeo and his dislike and disdain of Tybalt it is he who initiates the fight and his eventual death with Tybalt.
Mercutio begins by provoking Tybalt,
‘…Couple it with something, make it a word and a blow’
and follows by mocking his adversary
‘Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine
lives, that I mean to make bold withal’
This is what we have come to expect from Mercutio, quick wit and courage, and this coupled with his hatred for Romeo’s cowardice,
‘O calm, dishonourable, vile submission’
drives him to his final confrontation with Tybalt.
Mercutio’s death ensues and, by default, he is pivotal to the story. With his dying words he shows his true feelings towards Romeo. It is because of the anger Romeo feels that he goes to avenge his friend’s death.
In doing so Romeo sets off a disastrous chain of events beginning with the murder of Tybalt and climaxing with his own subsequent exile. In the end we are shown how close Romeo and Mercutio really were and this highlights the stupidity of the families feud that, ironically, Mercutio believed and in death symbolised
‘A plague o’ both your houses’
