Why the death of Mercutio is dramatically effective?

Why the death of Mercutio is dramatically effective? The following essay is based on the play Romeo &Juliet written by William Shakespeare. I will be discussing what the play is about and also be explaining "Why the death of Mercutio is dramatically effective". The play starts off with introducing the two families, the Montagues and Capulets, who are sworn enemies. At a mask ball held by the Capulet's the star crossed lovers meet and fall in love, Romeo son of Lord Montague and Juliet daughter of Lord Capulet. Mercutio is Romeo's close friend, he is an angry, aggressive and provoking type of person, but at times he can be gentle, bubbly and persuasive because in Act 1 Scene 5 where he helps Romeo overcome his misery of Rosalyn's unrequited love and persuades him to go to the party. After listening to Mercutio, Romeo decides to go, and here he meets Juliet and they both fall in love. The Elizabethans in the Shakespearean times believed a hot day would make their blood boil; it would make them furious, aggressive and make them want to fight. "The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring" This quote shows us Benvolio telling Mercutio to go home, because the day is hot and if the Capulets come, they will start a fight, and the prince has strictly forbidden fights in the streets of

  • Word count: 911
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Compare and Contrast the characters of Mercutio and Tybalt.

Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast the characters of Mercutio and Tybalt. For this assignment I intend to write and discuss the differences and similarities of two characters portrayed in the play Romeo and Juliet. As well as describing and analysing them I will also show how these characters are presented in two adaptations of films by two different directors Zeffirelli and Lurhmann. These two characters are Mercutio and Tybalt; both characters play an important role as they both affect the outcome of the play and decisions other characters may have to perform. These two beings have a great grudge against each other which causes death to arise between the two. The main reason for this grudge is that Mercutio is from the Montague's and Tybalt from the Capulet's two communities with a bitter rival for one another. As well as Mercutio being from the Montague's so is Romeo, however unlike Mercutio Romeo wants to resolve this dispute peacefully, so it does not interfere with his love for Juliet, from the Capulet's. Romeos love for Juliet doesn't seem to do justice and makes Tybalt's hatred increase even more. Mercutio Mercutio is supposedly 14 we can only presume this as his age is not confirmed. He is seen as one of the main characters in the play along with Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt. During the play there are many actions and responses which reveal his true identity. One

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  • Word count: 1712
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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The Dramatic Importance of Mercutio in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Explain the Dramatic Importance of Mercutio in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet The famous play, Romeo and Juliet, written by Shakespeare, is set in Verona, Italy. The main plot of the story is the conflict between two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. Mercutio is Romeo Montague's best friend, and not actually part of either families, but is a kinsman of the Prince of the City. Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, are young aristocrats in Verona. This means that none of them have work or jobs to do as such, and they roam the streets as young adolescents, and so typically, this sometimes leads them into trouble and brawls, especially with the rival family; the Capulets. Mercutio's first appearance in the play is in Act 1, Scene 4, when the Capulets are having a ball, and in Scene 2, Romeo and Benviolio have read the invitation list, and Mercutio's name is on the list. As Mercutio is related to the Prince of Verona, he has a high class status and is known by both families who want to keep him on their side. Mercutio is a young member of society, and because he does not belong to the Montagues or Capulets, he is neutral and so receives invitations to many balls, and gatherings by both houses. In Scene 4, Mercutio is in a happy mood, and convincing Romeo and Benvolio to come to the ball with him. Romeo is immensely depressed as he is in love with a lady called

  • Word count: 1224
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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the dramatic contribution of Mercutio to Romeo and Juliet

The analyses of the dramatic contribution of Mercutio to Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet was written in 1595 by William Shakespeare, I am looking at the role that the character that Mercutio plays in the play. I have looked at such things as; comedy, tension and suspense, important events, contrast to another character and Mercutio's downfall. Mercutio adds comedy and amusement to the play, I first found this in Act 2 Scene 1 where Mercutio uses a lot of rude sexual comments to be funny. I can imagine the Shakespearean audience would be laughing at Mercutio and find this funny. He says, 'By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh'. His thoughts are never to far away from sex, talking about the female body from foot to thigh. 'Quivering thigh' seems to suggest anticipation of sex. 'Nay I'll conjure too' is meaning that Mercutio is showing off to Benvolio when they are wondering where Romeo is after the party and he is trying to make him appear by magic. Mercutio also shows his funny side with other characters when he makes fun and is witty with Romeo in Act 2 Scene 4. 'Without his roe, like a dried herring', this could mean Romeo is without Rosaline for a change. Shakespeare shows how Mercutio loves to play with his words. The evidence could also imply a fish without its eggs which implies Romeo had sexual intercourse with Rosaline. In Act 3 Scene 1 Mercutio

  • Word count: 920
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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How is Mercutio portrayed in the play Romeo and Juliet?

How is mercutio portrayed in the play romeo and Juliet? Mercutio is one of the most unique characters in Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet". His language is always powerful and imaginative. He represents many different things in the play and holds an important role. Both of these categories will be explored in this essay, among other things. First of all, Mercutio is Romeo's friend. He is neither Montague, nor Capulet. Therefore, he has not been born into a feud and really has no side. However, his bond with Romeo does make him associated with the Montagues. Mercutio's character stands out from the rest because of his energy in everything he does and says. He is very fun loving and has a genuine love for life. He is living his life on the edge and always looking for something new and exciting to do. He is constantly playing on words, using two or more meanings. Romeo once describes him as, "A gentlemen...who loves to hear himself talk." As displayed in his Queen Mab speech in Act I Scene iv, he is very imaginative. He describes in intimate detail everything about a little world he has imagined. He creates this miniature society which he uses to explain how we get our dreams. In that same scene, Mercutio reveals to the audience how he believes one should chase after what is desired. He tells Romeo to not be afraid to take charge saying: "If love be rough with you, then be rough

  • Word count: 786
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Whom Would You Prefer as a Companion, Romeo or Mercutio?

Whom Would You Prefer as a Companion, Romeo or Mercutio? Romeo and Mercutio hold many likeable qualities. They share some of the same characteristics for example they are loyal to one another. At other times they can be totally miscellaneous for example how easily Mercutio is provoked and how Romeo is not. Also another contrast in their characters is their views on love and their different use of language. I think Romeo premium quality is how he thinks about love, in the play he shows too sides to love the happy and bad side. In Act 1 Scene 1 Montague says: "Away from light...locks fair daylight out, and makes himself an artificial night." This shows that when Romeo is in love he shuts himself away and even Benvolio his closest friend and cousin does not know what Romeo is feeling. Romeo even rejects the beauty of the dawn and I find this a bad quality in him. This is because if I had a friend like Romeo I would want him to share his feelings with me, also if he did not his feelings with me then I would feel uncomfortable sharing my feeling with him. I would conclude that he did not trust me. The idea of Romeo hiding his feelings is enforced when Montague says, "But he, his own affections' counsellor, is to himself." This conveys the impression that the only person Romeo tells his true feelings to is himself. In the sixteenth century it was very rather that a

  • Word count: 2010
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Who is to blame for the deaths of tybalt and mercutio?

Who do you think is most to blame for the deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio? The deaths of Tybalt and Mercutio occur in Act 3 Scene 1. The scene begins with Benvolio and Mercutio talking. Benvolio is trying to persuade Mercutio to leave because, if the Capulets are around, there would be trouble e.g. "I pray thee good Mercutio let's retire". Benvolio is used by Shakespeare as a peacemaker, he will not argue or upset anybody and will not side with anyone as he is neither Capulet or Montague, he is, however, Romeo's friend. When Tybalt enters, he is very confident and obviously thought greatly of himself. He was looking for Romeo whom he wants to fight. Mercutio was teasing Tybalt because of his name, Tibalt was a cat in an old story so he calls Tybalt a "rat-catcher" and "king of cats". Later, when Romeo appears, he doesn't want to fight because he and Tybalt are now related. This is called dramatic irony, as we know Romeo has married Juliet but the other characters don't. Mercutio and Tybalt end up fighting and, as Romeo tries to stop the fight, Tybalt stabs Mercutio. He dies after being accidentally wounded under Romeo's arm. Because of this Romeo seeks revenge and kills Tybalt. Romeo realises there will be trouble so he runs away. The Prince and Lord and Lady Capulet and Montague arrive to find out what's happened. Benvolio explains and the Prince banishes Romeo from Verona.

  • Word count: 1442
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: English
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How does Mercutio affect the audience in the play Romeo and Juliet

What contribution does Mercutio make to the play "Romeo and Juliet" and what impact he has on the audience? The play "Romeo and Juliet" was written between 1589 and 1595. Mercutio was a key character in the play and all of the audience enjoyed Mercutio's scenes. The rudeness appealed to the groundlings and the word play appealed to the more educated. When we fist see Mercutio we know straight away he is witty and clever. He joins Romeo, his good friend, and they exchange puns. A pun is a play on a word sounding like another. For example Mercutio says "you are a lover borrow Cupids' wings and soar with them above common bound." Romeo replies by saying "I am to sore empierced with his shaft." The pun being on soar and sore. The audience likes Mercutio because he is lively and funny, he is the opposite of Romeo because Romero is unhappy and Mercutio lightens up the mood of the play. In Lurhman's interpretation of the play Mercutio immediately makes the audience laugh by making him wear women's clothes and a big white wig. Mercutio is rude and bawdy, we know this when he says "'twould anger him to raise a spirit in his mistress' circle", he makes the audience laugh, and this would appeal particularly to the groundlings. The next time we meet Mercutio is in act 2 scene 1, Mercutio makes a lot of sexual references when he is mocking Romeo with Benvolio about his love with

  • Word count: 779
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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'Romeo and Juliet' - Discuss The Importance of Mercutio to the Play.

'Romeo and Juliet' Discuss The Importance of Mercutio to the Play Mercutio is a vital asset to the play for several different reasons and he contributes considerably to the play. Mercutio is an entertaining, lively but deep character and the audience love to see him on stage because he lightens up the tension of the play. The play itself is a tragedy because it ends unhappily but is split into two sections of tragedy and comedy. Mercutio contributes tremendously to the comedy aspect of the play that is really important so that the tragedy side of the play will be extenuated. The Elizabethan audience gets to know Mercutio because he is Romeo's best friend. Mercutio is supportive of Romeo because he tries to make Romeo happy. For example when Romeo was depressed because of Rosalind, Mercutio made a complimentary comment to make Romeo happy. Mercutio says, 'You are a lover: borrow Cupid's wings.' So therefore Mercutio is important to the play because he adds joyfulness to the depressing aspects of the play. This is also suggested because Mercutio tells Romeo to come to a party with him and says, 'Nay gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.' This type of behaviour by Mercutio would seem appealing to the audience because it is enjoyable to see a character that is so exuberant. Mercutio is important to the play because he was the main reason why Romeo and Juliet met, because it

  • Word count: 2469
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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Analyse the role and the fiction of Mercutio in Romeo And Juliet?

Romeo And Juliet Analyse the role and the fiction of Mercutio in Romeo And Juliet? The character of Romeo is important because he brings humour into the play. The play 'Romeo and Juliet' is a tragity because both the main characters die. Mercutio's character is humorous, comics, entertaining and morose. This is important because he brings light relief to the play. The effects he has on the other characters and the audience are that they laugh and their mood get a new life. In act 1, scene 4 we meet Mercutio for the first time and the impression he give on us is that he is eloquent, humorous and witty and doesn't take love seriously. For example he says Act 1, scene 4, line 27: - "If love be rough with you be rough with love." This quotation gives us a view of how Mercutio thinks about love. In his view love is only physical not something which deals with Emotion. Another view in which is behavior portrays us that he is also very cheerful. For example when Mercutio and Romeo were in the party, Romeo was upset because of his love. Then Mercutio tried to get my out of that misery in the following way: - "Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance." (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 10.) This shows us that Mercutio is being selfish here because he him to be in a good mood in order to joke with him. In Act 2, Scene 1 Mercutio makes fun of Romeo's love for Rosaline. He says in Act 2,

  • Word count: 818
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: English
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