What does Mercutio bring to the play? Why does Shakespeare kill Mercutio off?

Authors Avatar

Emmily Nonas 10W

25th January 2005

Coursework: Mercutio

What does Mercutio bring to the play?

Why does Shakespeare kill Mercutio off?

   Mercutio is an almost unique character in Romeo and Juliet, being full of imagination and wit that is shown greatly in the Queen Mab’s speech. His name reflects his nature Mercutio coming from the word Mercurial meaning quick and unpredictable. He is a close relative of the Prince but not a member of either of the rival families.

   In Act One, Scene Four when Mercutio first enters the play, his upbeat personality contrasts sharply with the melancholy Romeo – ‘Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance’. Mercutio shows concern for Romeo and is anxious for Romeo to be merry.

   Mercutio does not understand how Romeo is feeling. He regards love as a physical pursuit and mocks Romeo’s view on love as a poetic and emotional pursuit. He tries to laugh him out of his misery by using clever punning – ‘If love be rough with you, be rough with love’ and ‘ Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down’. Mercutio is one of the few characters able to ridicule Romeo and still remain his friend. When he is with Romeo he is at his happiest.

Join now!

   When Romeo protests, ‘I dreamt a dream tonight’ as a gloomy reason for his not attending the party of his enemy, Mercutio launches into his famous ‘Queen Mab’ speech, criticising the honesty of any dream and the good qualities of all dreamers. The speech creates vivid imagery in the reader’s mind, which reflects Mercutio’s tremendous imagination.

   ‘Peace, peace, Mercutio peace’- Romeo interrupts Mercutio through his Queen Mab speech. This shows that Mercutio is very talkative. With the speech, Mercutio aims to urge Romeo to take an honest look at him.

   After the party, Romeo avoids his friends and ...

This is a preview of the whole essay