Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

gigi28
gigi28
Student
High School - 9th Grade

In "Romeo and Juliet" who is responsible for Mercutio's death?

Give an assertaion.

Also include a citation and an explanation (of the citation).

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Posted by gigi28 on Monday February 2, 2009 at 4:55 PM and tagged with mercutio, romeo and juliet.

Answers:

  1. dneshan
    dneshan Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Both Romeo and Tybalt are responsible for the death of Mercutio.  In the beginning of Act III, scene i, Mercutio and Benvolio have a conversation in which they reveal that Tybalt has challenged Romeo to a duel.  Mercutio tells Benvolio that if Romeo refuses to fight, he will take Romeo's place.  Romeo does in fact refuse to fight and Mercutio fights in his place.  During the sword fight, Romeo tries to stop the two men and gets inbetween Mercutio and Tybalt -- this is when Mercutio is stabbed.  The stage directions give this away when they state, "Tybalt under Romeo's arm stabs Mercutio."  Furthermore, following the stabbing, Mercutio blames both men for his death when he says, "A plague o' both your houses!" (A. III, s. i).  In this quote he curses both families because he blames both of these men -- Romeo and Tybalt --for his death.  Romeo is to blame because he got in the way and Tybalt is to blame because he actually stabbed him.

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    Posted by dneshan on Monday February 2, 2009 at 5:52 PM