This shows how Mercutio simply cannot understand Romeo's love for Juliet, and that he sees his love as simply a confusion of emotions. Shakespeare shows that Mercutio is very independent and free and does not understand how someone could want or need anyone or anything else in his life to fulfil it. Mercutio shows the feelings that he wants to live his life on the spur of the moment this is shown in the way he talks about sex for example the way he describes Romeos lower regions when he wanders in, all in a sulk. He is also not interested in being dependent on anyone this is shown as the way he uses language towards Romeo etc for example in the Queen mab speech he speaks open and freely.
There are two main reasons that Shakespeare puts Mercutio as a major part to the actual plot of Romeo & Juliet. First of all, Mercutio convinces Romeo to attend the party at the Capulet's house, where he met Juliet. Romeo was very reluctant to go to the party and even expressed a feeling of insecurity about what the night may bring. However, after Mercutio advises Romeo and teases him a little, Romeo decides to go. It is solely because of Mercutio's persuasions that Romeo attends the gathering. The second way Mercutio's character is vital to the plot is it is Mercutio's death that sets off the chain of events that leads to Romeo's banishment. First, Tybalt murders Mercutio. Romeo is so enraged by this that he kills Tybalt. As a consequence, Romeo is banished from Verona and therefore from seeing Juliet. During the first scene of Act III, Mercutio is being his regular, quick-witted self. He is very sharp in his language, but perhaps too sharp this is shown in the way he teases people but doesn’t really think of the effects.
He deliberately annoys Tybalt, by doing things like purposely mistaking meanings of words, like in Act III Scene I, Tybalt begins addressing Mercutio about the relationship between Romeo and Juliet and Mercutio takes the word 'consort' as related to playing music, instead of being friends with Mercutio. Instances like this simply make the argument more and more heated, until Mercutio takes Tybalt's final blow. Mercutio's death is a major event in this play. When Tybalt kills Mercutio, the attributes of a comedy die with him. From now on, this play becomes a Tragedy. This demonstrates how Mercutio is a strong representation of all that is youthful and carefree in this play. Mercutio does not change dramatically in this play, because he continues to be vibrant throughout. The only slight change a reader may see is when he is about to die, he yells: "A plague on both your houses!"
This may be regarded as a change because Shakespeare shows that Mercutio has never been so serious before. He has never expressed any disagreement of the relationship between the Montague’s and the Capulets. Now, he seems to realise the damage the fighting is capable of doing, unfortunately, it was too late for him.
The language that Shakespeare uses for Mercutio is quite intriguing, his language is shown as different and usually very sexual this is shown by “like a dried herring”; Although, the language used with Mercutio is very difficult for a 21st century reader to understand, whereas Shakespeares older audience would be in tears of laughter. Shakespeare is portrayed Mercutio as a very tempered person, this is shown in the way in which he confronts Tybalt, he is also less unpleasant than Tybalt, also Mercutio is noticed as being older and probably more quarrelsome so the way he talks about sex is more appropriate as he can joke about it in a formal way, this is shown by the Quote “for the bawdy han of the dial is now upon the prick of noon”.
Shakespeare has made it seem that Mercutio and Romeos friendship is significant, they are portrayed as being very close to each other, but at times it seems that they are not as close as it seems, an example of this is when Romeo escapes from Mercutio by giving him the slip. One thing that Shakespeare has done is to show that Mercutio and Romeo have completely different views about the art of love and sex. Mercutio, (being older) finds it hilarious, and something to have a joke about an example of this is when he says that “ without his roe, like a dried herring” shows his flamboyance, whereas, Romeo differs.
The film of Baz Lehman Shows Mercutio in a strange way, he is portrayed in the film as being loud, never lost for words and perhaps he reads Shakespeares play that Mercutio is gay. These are all shown in the way he is dressed, the sheer excitement in everything he does and says and the way he goes around doing it. He is portrayed as a leader and also someone to rely on, this is shown in the way he tries to kill Tybalt. But trying to kill Tybalt shows Tybalt to be very cunning as he then he kills Mercutio. This Quote changes the course of the play “plague both your houses”. That quote changes the film completely and then it ends the comedy of the film and the sadness begins. Baz lurman presents Mercutio in the same way Shakespeare produces Mercutio. They both have the same idea of a fun guy, although Lurman takes it to the extreme. The language it which he used is the same but with Shakespeare’s play the language seems to have more effect, e.g. Queen Mab speech. The way he talks about sex is the same, but again Lurman takes it to the extreme. Although, in lurmans film you get a definite feeling of a gay tendency an example of this is the dressing in drag. Whereas, in Shakespeare’s play you find that he’s a strong willed and feels strongly about his role in life, an example of this is the way he curses both houses when he dies.
Overall, Shakespeare portrays Mercutio as a person who brings the comedy through the play, a strong willed character with plenty of vibrant actions. A person who although funny has a very serious side, also, he’s someone to rely on but he doesn’t want to rely on anyone. He’s a good friend to Romeo and they have a good relationship but there are odd moments when it seems a bit shaky. This is how I think Shakespeare portrays Mercutio.
