“But he that hath the steerage of my course, direct my sail.” –or so says Romeo as he ambitiously accepts whatever lies ahead, and allows an uncertain fate to steer him onward without a glimpse of fear (1.4, 119-120). In the tragedy Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a youthful boy named Romeo uses this fearless nature when facing love and the conflicts it holds, as well as dreams that spark a controversy between himself and friend Mercutio. Mercutio and Romeo’s view on dreams have two significant differences; Mercutio believes that dreams are lies and cause people to make childish decisions whereas Romeo believes that dreams hold truth and influence wise choices. The reader can derive from the text that experience changes people’s perspective …show more content…
First off, a large distinction between Romeo and Mercutio's perception of dreams lies in their view of what they truly are; for Romeo, dreams hold truth but for Mercutio, dreams hold lies. When heading to Capulet’s party, Romeo begins to voice doubt about whether or not they should go. Mercutio’s skepticism leads Romeo to admit that he “dreamt a dream tonight” which is influencing his actions. Mercutio responds by saying “and so did I...that dreamers often lie [about dreams]... as thin of a substance as the air and more inconsistent than the wind” (1.4, 53-56, 106). Shakespeare’s rich language and use of literary devices help bring forth meaning within the text. It is already given that Mercutio is older than Romeo, and thus his view on abstract concepts may shift based on this. The metaphor comparing “dreams” to a “substance of thin air” expands on Mercutio’s characterization, showing that he is afraid of relying on something as insubstantial as the air. This common theme of fear …show more content…
In an eloquent speech about Queen Mab–a fairy who plants dreams and desires in people’s heads–Mercutio tries to show Romeo that just as he created a silly fantasy of dreams, so was Romeo’s obsession with them, foolish and childish. He tells him, “True, I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy” (1.4, 103-105). A strong use of metaphors helps Mercutio to better convey his message. Because he compares “dreams” to an “idle brain”, or an idiot’s brain, it shows Mercutio’s stance on what believing in dreams makes you: a fool. The audience can see how because Mercutio is so obsessed with the falsehood of dreams and the reputation attached to anyone who believes in them, he becomes overly pragmatic. His persistence to disregard anything with a chance of inconsistency unveils how his desire to not make childish decisions deeply influences his actions. Because of many reasons aforementioned, Mercutio serves a foil character to Romeo’s lovelorn romantic nature, and especially when it comes to dreams. Quite conversely to Mercutio’s points, Romeo–upon having his dream–feels a need to listen and abide by what it told him. He tells Mercutio that they “mean well in going to this masque, but ‘tis not wit to go...[as he] fears too early, for [his] mind misgives
from Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War, to Richard III of Shakespeare’s play. A prominent,
Many characters in Shakespeare had dreams. Romeo dreamed of true love, Tybalt dreamed of social power and the Montagues’ demise, and Friar Lawrence dreamed of a peaceful and united Verona. All of those dreams lead to tragedy for the characters. With this, Shakespeare implied that, perhaps, dreams aren’t all as good as fairy tales make them seem to
Romeo and Juliet has many themes which are fate, death and love, these are all intertwined. At the very beginning of the play, before we even know the characters, we know that ‘death-marked’ ‘Star crossed lovers’ will ‘take their lives’ which already brings in the major themes. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play and builds up the tension until Act 3 scene 1 where death starts to play a role. The Prologue also informs us about the Montagues and Capulets dislike for each other. The theme of love is also there thought the play. There are different types of love, the unrequited love the Romeo feels for Rosaline and that Paris feels for Juliet. There is also the love between friends such as with Romeo and Mercutio as Mercutio dies to protect Romeo’s honour and then Romeo avenges his death, and then the romantic love Romeo and Juliet share. I believe the Mercutio is one of the main characters in this play. His speeches tell us a lot about him and his actions have a large affect on the ending of the play. Mercutio’s name means mercurial meaning “an unpredictable and fast changing mood” which is an accurate description of Mercutio's personality because in Queen Mabs speech at the beginning he is joking and seeking attention, but at the end he becomes serious and angry.
Mercutio is a fictional character, who does not appear in the original version and Shakespeare adds into the play. Mercutio is neither a Montague nor a Capulet. Because he is Romeo’s friend, he stands on the Montague’s side. In fact, Mercutio simply appears in four scenes in Romeo and Juliet, in other words, he is not the main character in the play. Nevertheless, I think he is an attractive and memorable character in the play. Actually, Mercutio’s name is related to the word “mercurial,” meaning “having an unpredictable and fast changing mood,” an accurate description of Mercutio’s personality. Moreover, he also plays a vital
Mercutio’s unique personality, consisting of unspeakable amounts of humor, everlasting devotion to Romeo, and his explosive attitude, make him a scene stealer and one of the most memorable characters in all of Shakespeare’s works. Some say Shakespeare was forced to kill Mercutio "lest he steal the show from the major figures of the plot". However, for as long as Shakespeare’s plays are still read, Mercutio’s character will live on in any reader’s mind.
Using his imagination Mercutio describes Queen Mab to Romeo as one would describe Santa Claus, where Santa is actually fictitious, but also in a sense reality. In Queen Mab's case, people do have different dreams of the things they want, but the imaginative part is that Queen Mab sends these. dreams to people. The account of Queen Mab is supposed to prove Mercutio's imagination and that under his pugnacity there is a poet. In William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio plays the part of Romeo's rebel friend who uses his imagination to cheer Romeo up and describe him. what he thinks of dreams. When talking about Queen Mab, the dream fairy, tells what she discovers in people's dreams, and how she can make someone dream of something.
In William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” Mercutio gives an imaginative speech of Queen Mab to jest Romeo for not having fun with others but dwell on his passion towards dreams. In act 1.4, Romeo explains to Mercutio that he is not going to the Capulet’s party as “dreamt a dream tonight” (1.4.50) that tell him not to. Romeo believes that dreams are reflecting reality and telling the truth and he is not joining his friends to the party. Mercutio exasperated by Romeo’s passion about dreams and scold him by giving the famous Queen Mab speech to illustrate the nature of dream to Romeo. Mercutio’s description of Queen Mab depicts that dreams are not reflecting reality but fantasy.
Romeo, whom his friends seem to consider generally very witty and fun, originally thought the party-crashing would be a wonderful idea, but suddenly is overcome by a sense of great foreboding; although they "mean well in going to this mask . . . 'tis no wit to go" (I, iv, 48-49). This annoys Mercutio, who does not recognize Romeo's reluctance as a genuine premonition, but feels it is simply another example of Romeo's lovesick whims. Romeo tries to explain to Mercutio that it is based upon a very disturbing dream, and Mercutio passes that off as silly, telling him that "Dreamers often lie." Here he is not saying that Romeo himself is a liar, but that people should put no faith in dreams. But Romeo is insistent; dreamers lie "in bed asleep, they do dream things true" (I, iv, 52).
Through Mercutio’s portrayal of Queen Mab, it depicts the reality of Romeo and Juliet’s delusional love. After Romeo reveals his apprehensive feelings of his dream, Mercutio also begins to unveil his ‘dream’ of the enchanting fairy called Queen Mab. At first, his description of Queen Mab seems to just be an innocent dream of fantasy: “O,then I see Queen Mab hath been with you/... and she comes/ In shape no bigger than an agate stone...Tickling a parson’s nose as he lies asleep” (1.4. 58- 85). Although Mercutio seems to be depicted simply as a witty character who constantly makes comedic puns throughout the play, he is also shown have intellectual insight that Romeo lacks. Little does Romeo know that the dreams Queen Mab bring also refers to the naive, myopic dreams Romeo has about Rosaline (1.1. 226-232), a woman who he perceives to be his everlasting lover. He is reinforcing the naive mindset of Romeo’s visions of love, bu...
He is voicing his opinion that dreams are imaginary and misleading. Mercutio expresses his annoyance towards love when he tells Romeo that he is more fun and like himself when he isn’t groaning about love (Shakespeare 413). Lovestruck Romeo irritates Mercutio, and Mercutio would rather just have Romeo be lighthearted and
When suddenly Baz Luhrmann nineteen minutes into his work presents a drag Mercutio dressed scandalously in a ridiculous white wig and wearing red lipstick to top it all off, it seems he has no regard for the original Romeo and Juliet. In his portrayal of a character as crucial as Mercutio, Luhrmann crosses the fine line between the individual possessing eloquence and profuse wit Shakespeare creates, and a downright maniac. Before entering the Capulets’ mansion Mercutio’s acclaimed Queen Mab Speech in Act One, Scene Four, displays the aforementioned eloquence and vivid imagination of the character. Specifically, Mercutio claims, “Oh, then I see you’ve been with Queen Mab/...True, I talk of dreams,/Which are the children of an idle brain,/Begot of nothing but vain fantasy,”(I iv 53, 97-99). Anyone with a rational mind does not expect Mercutio to deliver his lines about dreams being merely the result of the anxieties and desires of those who sleep while holding ecstasy and jumping agitatedly. Luhrmann offers an insane Mercutio in his take on Romeo and Juliet and all it achieves is a massacre of the brilliance of the dialogue. The unconventional director stages the exchange to end with Romeo accepting a psychoactive drug inducing him in a euphoric state, then shattering any proceeding potential romantic mood.
Mercutio responds with his first wise quote, “True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of anidle brain (I.iv. 97-98).” This comment does not refer to Romeo’s dream of love alone. Friar Laurence’s dream of peace in Verona proves false. In Act two, Scene four ,when the nurseappears in her gaudy attire acting as if she is the owner of the Capulet’s servant Peter, it isMercutio that churlishly reminds her that she is of the servant class as well. Mercutio’s commentprovides an alternative view of real...
Romeo laments that he is nervous because of a bad dream he had about his death, which occurs at the end of the play. Literary critic Matthew Spellberg explains that, “Dreams with narrative concerns are present in this tragedy—dreams that carry with them ill omens and portentous symbols” (Spellberg). This proves further that Shakespeare uses dreams to paint a picture of what’s to come. In the same breath Romeo exclaims “But he that hath the steerage of my course directs my sail! On, lusty gentlemen” (Shakespeare 918).
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the views of love held by the character Romeo contrast sharply with the views of Mercutio. Romeo's character seems to suffer from a type of manic depression. He is in love with his sadness, quickly enraptured and easily crushed again on a passionate roller coaster of emotion. Mercutio, by contrast is much more practical and level headed. His perceptions are clear and quick, characterized by precise thought and careful evaluation. Romeo, true to his character begins his appearance in the play by wallowing in his depression over Rosaline who does not return his love:
Mercutio has always had an anti-romantic mentality, and shows no restraint in voicing his opinion and chastising others for their beliefs. Mercutio uses poetry to mock Romeo for his vision of love in Act II, “Romeo, Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh, speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied,” (II.1.7-9). He obviously has a very cynical side and does not mind showing it to people, no matter how those people react to him. On the other hand, Romeo has always had a very ardent sense of love. Romeo shows deep understanding of his love for Rosaline by exclaiming, "Did