Similarities Between Benvolio And Mercutio

Two sides of a lira make up a prize to behold. The crown and the nadir both differ on each sides, but are similar when combined and they make a beautiful Italian coin. Like the coin, the characters in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio and Mercutio, are to the sides of the lira. Both Benvolio and Mercutio are similar by how they care for their dear Romeo and how they protect the honor of the Montague but differ in how they protect Romeo and his family’s name. For the love of their dear friend Romeo, these two friends show how much they respect and care for him. Benvolio considers Romeo his best friend not just as a cousin. When he tries to figure out why Romeo is so sad, he asked “It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo’s hours?” (1.1.159).

Mercutio is pleased that Romeo has gotten over his grief over his lost love, Rosaline. Mercutio even participates in some playful wordplay with Romeo. True friends know what you are thinking without having to speak. By noticing, Mercutio shows that he is more than a rich boy but Romeo’s best friend. Likewise, of the friendship of Romeo, they both protect the honor and name of Montague. Benvolio tries to protect the honor of the Montague because he is the kinsmen of Lord Montague. Therefore, at birth, he is responsible for the honor of his family. He protects his family’s honor by trying to do what is right. The kinsmen of Montague brings honor by telling the truth to the Prince about the fight with Mercutio, Tybalt and Romeo.

Mercutio, a friend of both Romeo and Benvolio, both a Montague. He shows his care and loyalty to the Montague family by taking Romeo’s place for Tybalt's challenge after Romeo said he did not want to fight, to defend the Montague honor he screams “O calm dishonorable, vile submission! /Alla stoccata carries it away. /Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?” (3.1.70-73). By fighting with Tybalt Mercutio protects Romeo and Montague honor. By fighting he shows that he actually cares about the honor of his friend’s

Benvolio’s name means peacemaker. He lives up to his name by being sympathetic and compassionate. Benvolio tries to be a peacemaker by trying to stop the servants in a fight. He cries “Break it up, you fools! / Put your swords away. You don’t know what you’re doing.”(1.1.60-61). The struggle to neutralize violent fights define him as a calm and thoughtful person. Not only is Benvolio compassionate in battle but also to his cousin Romeo. Benvolio tries not to hurt his feeling when he finds out about Romeo lost in love. While on the other hand, Mercutio does not really care if he hurts people with his rude tongue. Mercutio sometime hurts Romeo by saying things about Rosaline to try to make Romeo forget about her. Unlike Benvolio, Mercutio’s name means unpredictable and fast changing mood. Mercutio also lives up to his name by being, at times, more aggressive and forceful. Whenever he feels threatened or if he feels his friends threatened, he usually wants to fight. This is showed when Tybalt challenge Romeo, Mercutio cries “Men’s eyes were made to look and let them gaze. /I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.” (3.1.51-52). Mercutio shows that he protected his