Romeo and Mercutio Essays - 1132 Words

Throughout the works of William Shakespeare, the main character is complemented with another character that acts or serves as the protagonists foil. In Romeo Juliet, the protagonist, Romeo, is fickle, idealistic, impractical and naà ¯ve. To balance Romeo as a character, Shakespeare creates Mercutio; a good friend of Romeos who acts as his conscience. While Romeo has an idealistic perspective of the world and more specifically of love, Mercutio balances Romeos weak points as a dreamer. Mercutio is pragmatic, sensible, and clever and a master on word play. Throughout the play, Mercutio mocks Romeos naà ¯ve and ridiculous fascination with love. Early in the play, Romeo goes on and on about his deep infatuation with the beautiful Rosaline.†¦show more content†¦These two characters exist on a two different spectrums. This scene reinforces that while Romeo is a dreamer; Mercutio is the sensible character of the two and helps to keep Romeo as a character grounded and rational. W hen Romeo tells Mercutio that he Â…talkst of nothing, Mercutio responds by saying that dreamsÂ…are the children of an idle brain. (Scene 1, Act 4) After the ball and after Romeo lays his eyes on Juliet, Romeo decides that he cannot possibly return home. He decides to climb the wall that surrounds the Capulet property and search for Juliet. Mercutio and Benvolio try to find Romeo to no avail. Mercutio mocks Romeos ridiculous and fickle obsession with love, Nay, Ill conjure too. Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh: Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied; Cry but Ay me! pronounce but love and dove; Speak to my gossip Venus one fair wordÂ… I conjure thee by Rosalines bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us! (Act 2, Scene 1) Benvolio warns Mercutio that if Romeo could hear, thou wilt anger him. (Act 2, Scene 1) It is evident in this scene that Mercutio sees Romeos love as fickle as he was droning on and on about hisShow MoreRelatedRomeo and Juliet Character Analysis - Mercutio1427 Words   |  6 Pagescreated some of the most dynamic and interesting characters in written history, and in Romeo and Juliet there were several memorable ones. Aside from the hero and heroine, the voluble and witty Mercutio is as memorable a character as is found in all of Shakespeares plays. H e acts as a significant character in terms of plot advancement; but more importantly, Mercutio himself is a fascinating man in many aspects. Mercutio is not part of the Montague family, he is however a friend of Romeos and relatedRead MoreEssay The Memorable Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet890 Words   |  4 Pages The Memorable Mercutio Shakespeare created many incredible plays during his lifetime: tragedies, comedies and histories. One of Shakespeares most famous plays is the tragedy Romeo and Juliet. 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Mercutio is the Princes kinsman, but more importantly, he is Romeos friend and confidant. Mercutios concern is always for Romeo and for peace between the two families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Mercutio is the firstRead MoreEssay on Mercutio of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1389 Words   |  6 PagesMercutio of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Although the story of Romeo and Juliet does not focus on Mercutio, to many, he is one of the most interesting characters in literature. His name puns on the word mercurial which meansunpredictably changeable. His unsteady behavior makes him wise beyond his intentions. Arecurring trend in Shakespeare’s plays is the existence of a witty fool and many foolish wits. People such as Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Capulet are people who are made out to be