Mercutio
Extended Character Analysis
Mercutio is Romeo’s friend and the prince’s kinsman. His name—which recalls the adjective “mercurial,” meaning volatile; mercury, the ungraspable, fluid metal; and Mercury, the Roman God of messages and trickery—sheds light on his complex character.
Mercutio is one of the most charismatic and eloquent characters in the novel, hinted at by his name’s allusion to the Roman God of communication. He is also mercurial, or easily and rapidly changeable. When he believes the Capulets are threatening him or one of the Montagues, he quickly transforms from charismatic and loveable to vengeful and vindictive.
Mercutio is one of the most comedic characters in the play—in fact, many of his actions fulfil the role of a traditional Shakespearean fool: neither a Capulet nor a Montague, he is free of restrictions on his behavior; he freely makes bawdy jokes and plays with words, and his joyous spirit makes him one of the play's most lovable characters.
In his role as friend and fool, he serves as a foil to the moping, lovestruck Romeo. Mercutio loves his friend and tries to cheer him up with his witty and bawdy jokes. In one of the most well-known, pun-filled speeches of the play, Mercutio cheers up Romeo before the ball by telling him that he has been visited by “Queen Mab,” “the fairies’ midwife” who rides in a tiny coach made of “empty hazelnuts” and who “plagues” lovers in their sleep and leaves “blisters” on the lips of sleeping women. In this passage, Mercutio uses his eloquence and vivid imagination to prompt Romeo out of his lovesick slump over Rosaline. Mercutio reassures him that dreaming about Rosaline is ludicrous when there are so many other beautiful women. Furthermore, when the equally witty nurse comes to visit on Romeo’s behalf in act II, scene IV, Mercutio banters with her.
While Mercutio has a playful and jovial side, he is also an intense, loyal, and hellbent character. His allegiance lies wholeheartedly with the Montagues and especially Romeo. In the marketplace brawl scene in act III, scene I, Mercutio grows frustrated when Romeo refuses to fight the Capulet enemy, Tybalt. He swiftly takes Romeo’s place and duels with Tybalt. His sudden and erratic decision results in his death—Romeo steps in to stop the fight, and Tybalt fatally stabs Mercutio under Romeo’s arm. As he dies, Mercutio wishes “a plague o’ both your houses,” illustrating his ever-changing nature and his capacity for both loyalty as well as revenge.
Mercutio's character and death signal a tonal shift in the drama. Up through act III, scene I, Romeo and Juliet contains many attributes of a Shakespearean comedy: hapless lovers, puns and innuendo, and a fool who provides bawdy antics. However, when Tybalt slays Mercutio, the tone shifts from comic to a tragic, as shown by the change in Mercutio's own behavior as he realizes he is dying. He initially attempts to joke, saying of the wound that "'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church / door; but 'tis enough, 'twill serve. Ask for me to-morrow, and you shall find me a grave man." These jokes quickly give way to tragedy when he realizes his death is at hand:
"A plague o’ both your houses!
They have made worms’ meat of me. I have it,
And soundly too. Your houses!"
Expert Q&A
What does Mercutio mean by "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man"?
Mercutio's statement, "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man," plays on the dual meaning of 'grave' as both serious and a burial site. Even in his dying moments, he jokes, highlighting his inability to handle potent emotions. Despite the severity of his wound inflicted by Tybalt, Mercutio masquerades it as minor, leading others to underestimate its seriousness. His pun foreshadows his impending death, revealing his recognition of his fatal condition.
How do Mercutio's and Romeo's views on love compare in Romeo and Juliet?
Mercutio and Romeo have contrasting views on love in Romeo and Juliet. Romeo takes love very seriously, considering it a deep-rooted emotion, as evidenced by his heartbreak over Rosaline. Conversely, Mercutio treats love as a joke, equating it with sexual desire and frequently using sexual innuendos, showing he doesn't see love as a profound sentiment.
How does Mercutio's death influence the plot development in Romeo and Juliet?
Mercutio's death significantly influences the plot development in Romeo and Juliet by triggering a series of tragic events. It leads Romeo to kill Tybalt in revenge, resulting in Romeo's banishment from Verona. This banishment causes a chain reaction: Juliet's forced marriage to Paris, her plan to fake her death, and ultimately, the deaths of both Romeo and Juliet.
What does Mercutio say about Tybalt's fighting style?
Mercutio describes Tybalt's fighting style as precise and methodical, likening it to a performance with attention to timing, distance, and proportion. He mocks Tybalt for fighting "by the book of arithmetic," implying a lack of inspiration and creativity. Tybalt's style, akin to the Spanish fencing method, contrasts with the Italian style Mercutio favors, highlighting Tybalt's rigid and calculated approach.
Is Mercutio a good friend to Romeo in Romeo and Juliet?
Mercutio can be seen as a good friend to Romeo because he brings energy and wit to their friendship, tries to help Romeo move on from Rosaline, and Romeo avenges his death by killing Tybalt. However, Mercutio also shows a lack of sympathy for Romeo's feelings and provokes fights, indicating he might prioritize fun over being supportive at times.
What are Mercutio's feelings towards Tybalt?
Mercutio harbors disdain for Tybalt, mocking his arrogance and pretentiousness. He and Benvolio discuss Tybalt's challenge to Romeo, questioning if their lovesick friend can handle a duel. Mercutio sarcastically praises Tybalt's fencing skills, noting his adherence to form and technique. However, he criticizes Tybalt and others like him for focusing too much on fighting "by the book" rather than possessing genuine skill, labeling them as fashion-driven and incapable of a real fight.
Who is Queen Mab according to Mercutio and what does he say about dreaming?
Mercutio describes Queen Mab as a tiny, aged fairy who drives a chariot made of insect parts across the faces of sleeping humans, causing them to dream of their deepest desires. He portrays her as an instigator of lust and cynically dismisses dreams as meaningless, contrasting Romeo's belief in love and the significance of dreams. Mercutio's speech aims to cheer up Romeo, who is troubled by a dream and his unrequited love for Rosaline.
Analysis of Mercutio's character through the language and meaning of his quote in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio's character is reflected through his witty, playful, and often cynical language. His famous quote, "A plague o' both your houses!" reveals his disdain for the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, highlighting his role as a voice of reason and his tragic awareness of the senseless violence around him.
Literary devices used by Mercutio and Romeo in their witty exchanges in "Romeo and Juliet."
In "Romeo and Juliet," Mercutio and Romeo use various literary devices in their witty exchanges, including puns, wordplay, and double entendres. These devices add humor to their dialogue and showcase their cleverness and camaraderie. For instance, Mercutio often plays with words to tease Romeo, while Romeo matches his wit, creating lively and engaging conversations.
Quotes about Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet."
Quotes about Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" highlight his witty, playful, and loyal nature. For example, his famous "Queen Mab" speech reveals his imaginative and cynical view of dreams. Additionally, his line, "A plague o' both your houses!" showcases his loyalty to Romeo and his frustration with the feud between the Montagues and Capulets, which ultimately leads to his tragic fate.
Mercutio's opinion of the Nurse
Mercutio's opinion of the Nurse is dismissive and mocking. He treats her with little respect, making crude jokes and ridiculing her appearance and mannerisms, reflecting his general disdain for those he considers beneath him.
Songs relating to Mercutio in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Songs that relate to Mercutio in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet could include those that capture his witty, mercurial nature and his tragic fate. For example, "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen reflects his flamboyant personality and sudden, dramatic end, while "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult touches on themes of love and death that are central to his character's arc.
Mercutio's mockery of Romeo and love in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio mocks Romeo and the concept of love, often using humor and wit. He teases Romeo for his infatuation with Rosaline and later mocks his romanticized view of love. Mercutio's cynical and playful attitude contrasts sharply with Romeo's earnestness, highlighting different perspectives on love and romance within the play.
The similarities and differences between Tybalt and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet
Tybalt and Mercutio are both hot-headed and quick to engage in conflict, but their motivations differ. Tybalt is driven by loyalty to the Capulet family and a deep hatred for the Montagues, while Mercutio is more playful and provokes fights for entertainment. Tybalt's aggression is serious and deadly, whereas Mercutio's is more sarcastic and mocking.
Mercutio and the Nurse as Foils in Romeo and Juliet
Mercutio and the Nurse serve as character foils to Romeo and Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet by highlighting the protagonists' traits through contrast. Mercutio, with his cynicism about love and bawdy humor, contrasts Romeo's romantic idealism and emotional depth. He dismisses love as mere sexual pursuit, whereas Romeo is deeply passionate and poetic. Similarly, the Nurse's pragmatic and earthy views on marriage contrast Juliet's youthful and intense romanticism, as she supports a match with Paris over Romeo. These contrasts emphasize the main characters' qualities and drive the plot forward.
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