At the end of act 2, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet secretly marry against the wishes of both their families who are enemies who are involved in a long and bloody feud. Their marriage emphasizes the dramatic change in the play.
The scene begins with the entrance of Mercutio, Benvolio and members of the Montague house from stage right (the main entrance for the Montague’s). They are laughing and chatting happily all except Benvolio who fears meeting with the Capulets, knowing that a fight will surely follow such an encounter. Mercutio wittily mocks Benvolio and accuses him of being easy to quarrel. This is all delivered in a quick-fire manner, giving Benvolio little chance to reply, and when he does reply Mercutio again has a ready, witty comeback. All the Montagues are in good temperament.
Soon after, Tybalt and the Capulets, enter from stage left – disrupting the happy banter of the Montagues. Tybalt is leading the Capulets and is approaching centre stage authoritatively. Mercutio switches his taunts from Benvolio to Tybalt but the mood remains light even though they are enemies. Tybalt dismisses his insults, because he is seeking out Romeo. Mercutio replies to this by making more witty remarks after Tybalt speaks. Romeo then enters from centre stage still exhilarated from marrying Juliet. Tybalt insults Romeo and challenges him to a fight. Romeo refuses because they are now related, although Tybalt does not know this. And Romeo is not in any position to be able to tell him and he says:
“(I) love thee better than thou canst devise,
Till though shalt know the reason of my love;
And so, good Capulet, which name I tender
As dearly as mine own, be satisfied.”
Mercutio is disgusted and thinks Romeo to be cowardly even though this is not the case.
Mercutio challenges Tybalt to a fight, as he sees it to defend the honour of his house. This fight is a chance to show off rather than to cause any harm. It is a mix of skilful word play and skilful swordsmanship. The fight should be grand, include fanciful sword moves and elaborate footwork - a source of entertainment. However, Romeo steps between them trying to stop the fight before someone is hurt, in this instant Tybalt lunges forward and cuts the distracted Mercutio underneath Romeo’s arm. It appears to be only a scratch however it has done enough to kill Mercutio. Tybalt does not actually mean to kill him and swiftly, realising what he has done, exits with his party.
Mercutio realises this is not a trivial wound and asks for a surgeon quietly. Despite his mortal wound he still puts on a small show of humour for his friends. However he does curse both of the houses involved in the feud. Mercutio mutters his lines only just loud enough to be heard, but the line:
“A plague a’ both houses!”
Which is repeated 3 times should be shouted as if to bring the city down. Mercutio should die quietly leaving an eerie silence over the stage for about 10 seconds. The members of the Montague house should carry out the body and only Romeo should remain on stage in shock, Mercutio blamed him for his death and he is horrified and shamed by this.
Benvolio enters once again and confirms Mercutio’s death. Romeo realises that everything has changed and that what happened will influences his future.
Tybalt enters again and Romeo is bent toward reaping vengeance for his friend’s death, confirming that one of them will die and accompany Mercutio. Romeo delivers his lines in a slow menacing manner but Tybalt once again insults Romeo by referring to him as a ‘wretched boy’ but the incentive not needed and they begin to duel.
This fight is entirely different from the last one it is about death rather than swordsmanship. The fight should be more physical and violent in the manner of a brawl. Tybalt overpowers Romeo who (now on the floor) plunges his sword deep into Tybalt’s stomach - dealing the final blow and sealing his fate.
Benvolio once again acts as the voice of reason and tells Romeo to flee reminding him of the prince’s decree that anyone who spilt blood should die. Romeo hesitates but eventually leaves.
The Prince enters from centre stage entrance to address Benvolio, who is still in shock. Both families enter from either side of the stage presenting their dead and seeking revenge. Lady Capulet over dramatically mourns for her nephew and begs for Romeo’s blood. The Prince commands Benvolio to speak, and Benvolio gives a slightly biased blow-by-blow monologue of the events that have just taken place. This is a contrast to his earlier conversation with Mercutio when he barely uttered more than two lines. Lady Capulet accuses Benvolio of lying but the Prince, who is still upset by the death because he is related to both families and has lost his kin in the fighting, will not shed any more blood. Instead he exiles Romeo from Verona on the threat of death if he returns. When the Prince has delivered his final rhyming couplet he turns regally and walks off centre stage, the Montagues and Capulets follow to their respective exits.
