Romeo now enters. In this section Mercutio plays around with Tybalt’s opening line “here comes my man” by implying that Romeo is Tybalt’s servant. The double meaning of “man” is an insult in the verbal conflict between the men. Here the worst natures of the men come to the surface. Tybalt tries unsuccessfully to coax Romeo into a physical conflict. Romeo embraces Tybalt. He does not wish to fight Tybalt as he has just married Juliet making Tybalt a cousin. Tybalt now believes Romeo is just acting cowardly. Romeo refuses to give in to petty insults. At this point his love for Juliet prevents him from responding likewise to Tybalt’s calls of “villain” and other various verbal attacks.
It is soon made apparent that there will be a fight between Tybalt and Mercutio. Mercutio claims that he will “dry beat the rest of the eight” of Tybalt’s “nine lives”, Tybalt responds to the challenge with “I am for you”. The pair then fight.
Romeo tries to put a stop to the fighting reminding the men that the prince of Verona has forbidden conflict between the two rival families. While Romeo is pleading his case Tybalt takes advantage and stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm. This is tragic irony. In trying to prevent blood shed Romeo has become a part in it.
Now, even though he is mortally wounded, Mercutio’s anger is the prevalent emotion. He curses those around him blaming both his own bad luck and Romeo for his wound. Mercutio now realises that it is the feud is pointless and it has ended his life. He curses the two houses and is led off stage by Benvolio where he dies. Romeo flies into a rage: his anger gets the better of him. Another fight ensues, this one between Romeo and Tybalt. Romeo slays Tybalt and runs away for fear of reprisal.
Now the citizens of Verona arrive just as Romeo is gone. Benvolio gives his account of what happened to the prince who has come to see what is going on. Benvolio’s hatred gets the better of him and he blames Tybalt totally for what transpired even though we, as the audience know that both men were a part of the conflict that led to the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio.
Conflict is a very large part of this scene. It starts with simple insults being exchanged; this verbal conflict then leads to physical conflict. This trend can be observed in other sections of the play. By Mike Weston
