Benvolio, however, couldn’t be more different. He is a peace lover that always looks for an opportunity to settle differences verbally rather than by using violence: ‘either reason coldly of your grievances or let us withdraw unto some private place’
Romeo, who has recently married Juliet, in this scene, is even more keen than usual to keep the peace between the two families.
Tybalt, who is deeply angered by Romeos actions, came with the intent purely upon fighting and seeking his revenge.
Mercutio, Benvolio and Romeo relate well to each other even though they all react very differently to Tybalt: Mercutio who mocks him, trying to instigate a conflict. Benvolio reacts calmly and peacefully trying to, true to character, avoid violence. Romeo, having been recently wed to Juliet tells Tybalt he loves him, but cannot elaborate further.
When Tybalt enters the stage conflict is formed immediately as it becomes apparent that Mercutio is intent upon fighting by saying, in response to his requests to speak with one them, ‘make it a word and a blow’. This creates tension in the audiences mind. He then deliberately miss-interprets Tybalt’s comments, so to make fun of them. Benvolio is against this, which causes tension between the three characters.
The audience will have in the back of there minds the princes decree of death upon the next instance of fighting. When Romeo arrives Tybalt ends his ‘conversation’ with Mercutio by saying ‘Peace be with you, sir, here comes my man’. The timing creates yet more tension as although it dies between Mercutio and Tybalt it is instantly recreated between Romeo and Tybalt.
Romeo then makes it perfectly clear to Tybalt that he does not want to fight him as he is in love with Juliet, further defining the ‘love/hate’ theme of the play, and Mercutio has a re-opening window of opportunity as he will happily fight in Romeos place. He further insults him by referring to him as ‘King of Cats’. The tension is then brought to an all time high when Tybalt draws his sword ready to fight. Romeo attempts to calm the situation by reminding them both of the prince’s decree. This has no effect.
Mercutio and Tybalt fight and in Romeo’s attempt to stop them, by putting himself between the two men, he accidentally allows Tybalt to stab Mercutio, under Romeo’s arm, causing his death. Tybalt exits.
As Mercutio is dying he is, true to character, still using puns: ‘wide as a church door’. He tells them that if they ask for him tomorrow he will be a ‘grave’ man. As he is dying he proclaims a wish for ‘A plague a’both your houses!’, as he clearly blames the long running feud for his death, adding tension to the atmosphere. Tybalt then re-enters the stage and Romeo then proceeds to kill him. It is ironic that the love Romeo has felt has lead to such hatred – If Tybalt knew about the marriage we are left to wonder if his actions would have been the same.
These vital few lines makes the play pick up pace with enormous effect the drama of seeing Romeo killing the man he just told he loved shows the deep running emotion Romeo is feeling.
These highlight the key themes of love, hate and irony that run throughout the play.
Throughout the play Shakespeare uses language to great effect: Mercutio’s puns and playing on words brought comedy to the play and expressed his character and mood well. Emotive words are used to create images in the audiences mind as to the intent or feelings of characters.
The scene changes in the audience’s mind the direction of the protagonists as they think towards the beginning of the scene that Romeo is to be killed then. Without this scene the play would not logically conclude where it does. The scene sets the mood for the rest of the play.
Fighting, or duelling was a common method of resolving differences of opinion in Shakespearian times, therefore an audience would not be surprised to see it in a play.
However in this particular instance the prince, having the upper most authority, declared the death penalty for any occurrences of it on Verona’s streets. Therefore even more tension is created when he declares the sentence of banishment as apposed to death upon Romeo as Lady Capulet longs not so much for justice as for blood.