“I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall,
Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.”
This tells the audience that Tybalt will get his own back on Romeo. He bears grudges and the way he seeks revenge shows that he is an incredibly proud man as he does not like to be made a fool of, or stand down to anyone.
Desperately seeking revenge with Romeo, Tybalt, full of courage and determination, sends a letter to Romeo challenging him to a duel. He wants ‘satisfaction’; he wants Romeo to accept his challenge so he can get revenge. He next appears in Act Three, scene i, approaching Mercutio in search of help to find Romeo. Romeo appears on the scene and is instantly challenged by Tybalt. “No better term than this - thou art a villain.” Romeo declines the duel and Mercutio steps in, challenging Tybalt. The audience would already know why Romeo would not fight Tybalt, because Romeo is related to him; the other characters in the play would have been very shocked. During the dispute, Tybalt stabs Mercutio, killing him under Romeo’s arm. He then flees. He is looked upon as a coward, but he soon returns to the scene after injuring Mercutio and he is still eager to fight Romeo. Tybalt is still seeking revenge. They fight as Romeo is enraged about Mercutio’s death and feels responsible. Tybalt is killed.
Mercutio plays a totally different role in the play to Tybalt; the only thing they have in common is their passion to fight. Mercutio enters the play in Act One, scene iv. Mercutio is in a strange, romantic mood and he is trying to persuade Romeo to go the Capulets party. As soon as Romeo mentions a dream, Mercutio launches into a fanciful account of Queen Mab who travels into peoples’ dreams. The audience would be enjoying Mercutio’s presence and they would be relaxed with his humour.
Mercutio next appears in Act Two, scene I when his speeches are full of vulgar, sexual innuendo’s. This would be a side to Mercutio that the audience has not encountered. They would be amused as he plays with words to give them double meanings. “To raise a spirit in his mistress’ circle,” The combinations of vulgarity show how Mercutio uses his wit to entertain. He also taunts Romeo with language that becomes increasingly obscene.
Mercutio enters again in Act Two, scene iv where he speaks a lot about Tybalt. He refers to Tybalt as a technical and correct fighter rather than a fighter that fights with his heart. “, one, two, and a third in your bosom;”
Mercutio’s speeches in Act Two scene iv, are longer than the speeches he makes in Act One scene iv. With the Queen Mab speech as an exception, this could show that Mercutio is becoming more confident throughout the play and Shakespeare is trying to show off Mercutio before he is killed.
There is a close relationship with Romeo and Mercutio as is shown later on in Act Two scene iv.
“… Now art thou sociable, now art thou
Romeo. Now art thou what thou art, by art as
Well as by nature,”
Here Mercutio shows his affection for Romeo. He tells him that this is more like the old Romeo they all know. Mercutio enters again in Act Three, scene I, he is starting trouble looking for a fight. When Tybalt insults Romeo to which Romeo takes no notice Mercutio is incensed at Romeo’s apparent cowardice so he challenges Tybalt.
“Tybalt you rat – catcher, will you walk?”
Mercutio gets stabbed. This also shows another side of Mercutio that the audience has not seen. Shakespeare portrays Mercutio as very brave and loyal to Romeo and the Montagues. Even when Mercutio is hurt, almost dying, he is still playing with his words and cracking jokes, “… a scratch, marry ‘tis enough…” and then he goes on to say, “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.” He puts on a brave act and still is humorous. Mercutio curses the Capulets and Montagues just before he dies – “A plague on both your houses!” This is linked to the woeful ending of the play.
The audience would have been rueful with Mercutio’s death, as he was a joyful and humorous character in the play. He never understood the real relationship between Romeo and Juliet. He lusted after women and only used them for sex and never knew what it is to love.
The three key factors Shakespeare has used in the play Romeo and Juliet are humour, love and violence. All these combined make an exemplary play. I know from my essay that Tybalt and Mercutio share totally different qualities in the play. Tybalt plays a very aggressive role, he entertains the audience with violence. Mercutio, he plays a very characteristic role in the play. He can humour the audience and also use violence to entertain them. From my essay, if I had to choose one hero out of Mercutio and Tybalt I would choose Mercutio. This is because of his bravery, loyalty and his ability to entertain the audience.
By James Grove. 10 Laing. Mrs Terry. ENGLISH
