At this point in the argument, Benvolio spots the Capulet’s advancing. Mercutio takes his usual ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude, saying, “By my hell, I care not”. Here he is saying that the Capulet’s do not bother him. Tybalt confronts Mercutio and Tybalt, and Mercutio’s cocky attitude shows through again. Tybalt pleads a word with Romeo, yet Mercutio seems to want a fight with Tybalt. Tybalt is presented as polite at first, and is dead set on one thing, to fight Romeo. The opening exchanges between Mercutio and Tybalt, are unusual, as they are in some ways teasing each other, but are in some ways serious. Mercutio seems to have a personal vengeance against Tybalt, confronting him again. Mercutio’s reasons for intervening lay with Romeo, for Romeo is a good friend of Mercutio, and Mercutio is trying to stand up for Romeo against Tybalt who obviously is not fond of Romeo. The two almost come to blows, after Tybalt had insulted Mercutio, by insulting Romeo. This time Benvolio steps in; He poses that they should retire to a private place to end this quarrel, as he fears the consequences of another brawl in the street, yet Mercutio shoes his stubborn, cocky attitude again, remaining in his place, refusing to move.
Romeo arrives and Tybalt changes his focus instantly. Tybalt no longer has any interest in Mercutio, saying, “peace be with you, sir, here comes my man”. Mercutio does not back down though, he shows that he is loyal to Romeo and stands firm. Tybalt’s first words to Romeo reveal his true hatred; his first words being, “thou art a villain”. Romeo takes the side of Benvolio and try’s to make peace, reasoning that he will not fight as Tybalt does not know everything about him. Tybalt then insults Romeo claiming that Romeo has done him injury, and challenges him to a fight. Romeo then reveals the fact unknown to Tybalt, the fact that he loves his family, and therefore will not fight Tybalt, who is his own family, due to his marriage to Juliet; reasoning with Tybalt, even going as far as to say ‘And so good Capulet, which name I tender as dearly as my own, be satisfied´. Mercutio cannot believe this; he calls it a vile submission, and so shows a little more hatred towards Tybalt. As a good friend of Romeo, Mercutio would do what a good friend would do, and stick up for Romeo. Mercutio asks Tybalt to talk with him, and challenges Tybalt to a fight. Tybalt agrees, drawing his sword, again showing how easily frustrated and drawn to fights or violence he is. Romeo again shows his loving nature, asking for the two men to put down their swords. He requests help from Benvolio to prevent this fighting, quoting the Prince, saying that fighting had been forbidden in the Verona streets. As Romeo steps between the pair, Tybalt lunges at Mercutio under Romeo’s arm, and unbeknown to Romeo, fatally wounds him. Romeo reacts as if nothing has really happened as he does not know the severity of Mercutio’s injury, although Mercutio himself knows he is doomed as he proves, saying, ‘Ask for me tomorrow and you will find me a grave man´. Shakespeare still maintains Mercutio’s cocky attitude though, as he proclaims that his wound is merely a scratch, shortly before proclaiming his wound as fatal. Romeo is shocked as Mercutio proclaims a curse on both their families. He reacts in a completely different way now, as previously his loving, caring attitude shone through, now he reacts with anger and requires vengeance. Tybalt on the other hand doesn’t seem to be too bothered by the fall of Mercutio, although it can be interpreted in different ways, where the Zeffirelli play shoes Tybalt as shocked at the injury he has caused Mercutio, the modern film version shows Tybalt proud of his doings, triumphantly walking away.
Romeo is now angered and realises he has let Tybalt ruin his reputation. He realises that his love for Juliet has made him soft, and that this has softened his temper. Benvolio announces Mercutio’s death, and Romeo proclaims that what happened in this day would change the future, and that it would take other people to end this sadness. Romeo is enraged and Tybalt returns. Romeo seeks to avenge his friend Mercutio, by fighting with Tybalt himself; Romeo proclaims, “Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him”. The fight should differ from the previous fight as this fight is I believe, more serious, and violent. The previous fight was more joking, or teasing, whereas this fight will be full of violence due to Romeo’s attitude after Mercutio’s death. This fight should involve lots of offensive, as Romeo is going all out at Tybalt, whereas before the fight was like an organised fight, with each man being defensive.
When Tybalt falls, Romeo cries, “I am Fortunes Fool”. This is because he knows that he has made a fatal mistake, and that he is the victim of bad luck. The Audience should also realise that although Romeo has defended his friend, he has committed Murder, and although people feel sorry for him, it is inevitable that he will be severely punished, surprising for Romeo, as previously he had been such a loving character. The audience should be shocked at Romeo’s actions, as they know everything that goes on in the play, unlike the characters.
Shakespeare presents this turning point in Romeo’s life, as a dramatic turn of events. He concentrates on the two extremes of his behaviour. This makes Romeo’s violence towards the end of the scene so much more surprising, as we never seem to read about any behaviour that is just average, its always extremely loving and caring, talking about Juliet, or avoiding violence at all costs; or extreme violence, killing Tybalt. The prince also plays a large part, in cautioning the families, as he adds to the seriousness of the crime, by banishing Romeo. This intensifies the nature of Romeo’s crime. Overall Shakespeare concentrates on creating large differences between the two sides of Romeo, making his violence so much more of a shock to the audience.
