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“Loyal”, “Devoted”, “Funny”, and “Witty” are just a few of the words that
describe Romeo‘s best friend, Mercutio. However Mercutio is murdered in Act 3,
Scene 1 in a fight with Tybalt. It is reported that audiences love Mercuito so much
that some performances go south after his character dies. Meanwhile, Mercutio is a
skeptic, a man who mock love. When he finds that Romeo is in love with Juliet,
his reaction is to make fun of his best friend:
Romeo, Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh,
Speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied.
Moreover, his “Queen Mab” speech in Act 1, Scene 4 remains one of the most
debated monologues in Shakespearean literature; there are almost as many
interpretations of that speech as there have been performances of “Romeo and
Juliet” and his wise-cracking personality amuses both the audience, his friends and
even Juliet’s nurse.
Tybalt, who is Juliet’s cousin is considered as antagonist of the play. He is
extremely feisty and enjoys the conflict between the Montagues and his family. He
is strong-willed, argumentative, passionate and loyal. All of these characteristics
are demonstrated when he finds out that Romeo has gate-crashed Capulet party,
knowing that the Montagues are not welcome.
Tybalt is argumentative when he speaks to any of the Montague family. He
fuels the conflict between the two families: “Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw”. This shows Tybalt’s anger
towards Romeo. The fact that Tybalt is calling Romeo a “boy” is an insult and
illustrates how Tybalt is instigating the conflict, wanting Romeo to react to the
insult. He is also being instructive in this quotation, telling Romeo he must “turn
and draw”. This also illustrates how Tybalt is passionate and likes to be in control.