The Character of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The Character of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Mercutio is one of the most unique characters in Shakespeare's Romeo

and Juliet. His language is powerful and imaginative. He represents

many different things in the play and holds an important role.

Mercutio is Romeo's friend. He is not a Montague or a Capulet.

Therefore, he has not been born into a feud and really has no side;

however, his friendship with Romeo associates him with the Montagues.

Mercutio's character stands out from the rest because of his energy in

everything he does and says. He is always living his life on the edge

and always looking for something new and exciting to do. He is

constantly playing on words. Romeo once describes him as:

“A gentleman …who loves to hear himself talk.”

His Queen Mab speech in Act 1 Scene 4, shows that he is very

imaginative. He describes in vivid detail everything about a little

world he has imagined. He creates this little story which he uses to

explain how we get our dreams. In that scene, Mercutio shows how he

believes you should chase after what you desire. He tells Romeo to not

be afraid to take charge saying:

“If love be rough with you, then be rough with love.”

Mercutio teases Romeo, in Act 1 Scene 4:

“Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover! Appear though in the likeness

of a sigh.”

This shows how Mercutio cannot understand Romeo's love for Juliet, and

that he sees his love as a confusion of emotions, and that it is not

true love. Mercutio is very independent and free, and does not

understand how someone could want or need anyone else in his life.

Mercutio wants to live his life as it happens. He wants to be free to

do what he wants when he wants. He is not interested in being in love

with anyone.

There are two main reasons Mercutio's character is important to the

plot of Romeo & Juliet.

Firstly, Mercutio manages to get Romeo to go to the party at the