How Does Shakespeare Present Mercutio

Compare the ways that Shakespeare and Luhrmann present the character of Mercutio.

Mercutio is a multi complex character in Williams Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet written in 1595. He's described as witty, cynical, loyal and misogynistic, although only a secondary character and appearing in only four scenes Mercutio is known for overshadowing Romeo in the play with his puns and witty dialogue. This comedic foil to Romeo is neither a Montague or a Capulet and lives outside the realms of the conflict however it's this tragic friendship that sets in Mercutio's role as a catalyst for the play turning from comedic to tragic .

When introduced to the play Shakespeare presents Mercutio as possessing a sexual idea of love, through his cynical views polarised

These views are another sort to Romeos who believes in the traditional poetic love as seen in Petrarch's sonnets , shown when he uses the cliché comparison of love to the thorns on a rose. These ideas are mocked by Mercutio in ' prick love for pricking and you beat love down,' through this pun Mercutio shows their opposing views on love as well as their close relationship ,seen by him trying to cheer Romeo as well as him being the only friend who can mock Romeo successfully in the play, this ribalding wit sets in Romeo's role as the innocent protagonist and

This close relationship is further shown by Mercutio, using rhetorical questions, in “why, is not this better now than groaning for love? Now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo?” by complementing him with the adjective 'sociable' Mercutio is trying to cheer up Romeo, developing the audiences sense of their close relationship and providing a catalyst for subsequent tragedy. This is ironic because although Mercutio believes he was the one to cheer Romeo up in reality the audience knows it was Juliet that did. This infers to the reader that although they have a close relationship Mercutio has a false impression of Romeo, as he presents himself as someone he's not, seen in the sexual pun ''why then is my pump well flowered'' he is seen to be using this to humour Mercutio to keep their friendship, this displays that their relationship is not based on honesty but lies, which is used by Shakespeare to add to the tragedy of the play. In addition in this scene Shakespeare is again presenting