Romeo looses his temper towards Tybalt after Mercutio is killed. ‘Fire-eyed fury’. These words show his emotions at this time, which are anger. This is shown by the words ‘fire’. It tells us that his anger is burning him up.
Mercutio is a loyal but yet a funny character who tries to enlighten situations for Romeo. He calls Romeo a ‘lover’ when he is depressed by love, he advises him to ‘borrow cupid’s wings’. He provides the element of comedy for Romeo to amuse himself and also others.
Mercutio has a sarcastic side of him which he tends to use, to mock Romeo. ‘Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead’. Mercutio judges his friend to be lovesick for Rosaline and therefore believes that he will not be able to take up Tybalt’s challenge.
Even though at first, we see the funny side of Mercutio, he then also shows us that he is brave. ‘By my hell, I care not’. This shows that he isn’t scared of the Capulet’s and neither is he bothered about their arrival to the scene.
In act 2 scene 4, Mercutio jokes with Benvolio about Romeo’s infatuation with Rosaline along with Tybalt’s challenge to Romeo. Mercutio calls Rosaline a ‘pale hard-hearted wench’ who ‘torments’ Romeo and that will ‘run him mad’. This shows his dislike towards Rosaline. It gives us a picture of what Mercutio really thinks and for the first time, we see a cold side of him.
He doesn’t believe that Romeo is strong enough to face Tybalt. He believes Romeo to be ‘stabbed’ and ‘already dead’. He questions ‘is he a man’. He doesn’t have faith in Romeo and doesn’t seem very loyal to his friend to be talking about him and mocking him. He’s very negative at the beginning of this scene.
In act 3 scene 1 Mercutio provokes Tybalt by taunting him. Mercutio tries to pick a fight, ‘make it a word and a blow’. Mercutio has his heart set on fighting Tybalt but his insults are just ignored as he is not the one to be fought.
Romeo’s refusal to Tybalt angers Mercutio. Fired up inside, he steps forward and challenges Tybalt. ‘Will you pluck your sword out’. At this point Mercutio fights but for what reason? Does he fight to protect his friend, or does he fight to show that he is stronger and more capable?
Mecutio dies tragically but curses both the Capulet’s and the Montague’s. ‘A plague a’ both houses!’ He is upset and he dies in the grudge between the families what more could he do than to curse them. Could this be a small prediction of what there is still to come?
Mercutio understands that he will dies and that these will be his last few words but yet at first when he is stabbed, he seems to be very comical about it. At first he calls the wound ‘a scratch’ which to him is ‘enough’. He shows to us that he is brave and he tries to hold it together.
Benvolio at the beginning of act 3 scene 1 gives us a prediction of what is to come. He advises that they ‘shall not scape a brawl’ and that ‘mad blood stirring’. This tells us that a fight will occur and that if it does then it will only bring disaster and death. Also that blood will be shed between the Capulet’s and the Montague’s.
Benvolio can make decisions and is able to take control of situations quickly. He tells Romeo to ‘be gone’. He advises Romeo on what to do and why. He tries to keep things under control as well as trying to get the best out of every situation.
Benvolio is a witness to what has happened and he also provides a summary of events which have just taken place. He admits to seeing the events, ‘I can discover all’. This shows that he is a truthful character who tries to keep justice. He also doesn’t panic when recapping the events.
Benvolio provides stories at the beginning, near the introduction of his character and also towards the end where he is about to leave. He narrates for us and he is also a constant character who remains the same and doesn’t change. Benvolio in this play is the voice of reason. When recalling the events, this is his last speech and after he goes, then so does reasonable behavior.
Tybalt after recognizing Romeo’s ‘voice’ is outraged that he ‘should be a Montague’, who has gate crashed the Capulet’s party. He then fetches his ‘rapier’ after knowing this. Tybalt angered by this, now wants a fight but is stopped by his uncle. This shows that Tybalt can be angered easily as well as having more than enough hate for the Montague’s.
Tybalt tries to make Capulet understand that he should fight. He calls Romeo a ‘foe and ‘a villain’ who has ‘scorn’ the night for them. Even though he is told not to fight, he still insults Romeo and his family.
We don’t really know much about Tybalt only that he is the first cousin to Juliet. Capulet calls Tybalt ‘a saucy boy’ as well as ‘a princox’ (cocky youngster). This gives us an indication of how old Tybalt is.
After Capulet advises not to go near Romeo and not to pick a fight, Tybalt is ‘wilful choler’ which makes his ‘flesh tremble’ his intentions are to make this meeting of the two houses ‘bitt’rest gall’. Tybalt really hates the Montague’s and respects his family name so much that he threatens to take vengeance out on Romeo.
In act 3 scene 1, Tybalt comes searching for Romeo, as he fulfills his treat to take vengeance. Firstly, he tries to provoke Romeo, ‘thou art a villain’. He does this, as to him, it is a sure way that he will get a fight but he is disappointed and angered by Romeo’s refusal.
Even though he doesn’t get the fight he wants at first, he still accepts the fight from Mercutio, ‘I am for you’. He leaves straight away after Mercutio’s blood has been shed. With Mercutio’s death, Tybalt has received a fight with Romeo.
