A Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet

1267 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Characterization of romeo and juliet

A Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet

For this assignment I intend to write and discuss the differences and

similarities of two characters portrayed in the play Romeo and Juliet.

As well as describing and analysing them I will also show how these

characters are presented in two adaptations of films by two different

directors Zeffirelli and Lurhmann. These two characters are Mercutio

and Tybalt; both characters play an important role as they both affect

the outcome of the play and decisions other characters may have to

perform.

These two beings have a great grudge against each other which causes

death to arise between the two. The main reason for this grudge is

that Mercutio is from the Montague’s and Tybalt from the Capulet’s two

communities with a bitter rival for one another. As well as Mercutio

being from the Montague’s so is Romeo, however unlike Mercutio Romeo

wants to resolve this dispute peacefully, so it does not interfere

with his love for Juliet, from the Capulet’s. Romeos love for Juliet

doesn’t seem to do justice and makes Tybalt’s hatred increase even

more.

Mercutio

Mercutio is supposedly 14 we can only presume this as his age is not

confirmed. He is seen as one of the main characters in the play along

with Romeo, Juliet and Tybalt. During the play there are many actions

and responses which reveal his true identity. One of these phrases is

“I will not budge for no mans pleasure” (act 3, scene 1) from this

statement we discover Mercutio can be ignorant, stubborn and silly

however during another scene he also says “ay, ay a scratch, a scratch

marry ‘tis enough” which indicates he can be a jo...

... middle of paper ...

...ilm. In the Lurhmann production

he “exaggerated” the characters so it was more obvious to distinguish

how they are portrayed e.g. at the scene of the party Tybalt is

dressed as the devil, here just by his costume his personality is

fitted perfectly so the audience can see. As well as Tybalt wearing

“new” clothing so is every other actor in the movie. The setting is

far more expanded and the film has more facilities such as fireworks

and cars. Overall I enjoyed the Lurhmann version more as it appealed

to me more with its time period rather then the predictable Zeffirelli

version.

In conclusion I have discussed the issues or points of the two

characters Tybalt and Mercutio, I have also managed to show there good

and bad points. Overall out of the two characters I prefer Mercutio as

he was more humorous then Tybalt.

Show More
Related

  • Romeo And Juliet Tybalt Character Analysis

    180 Words  | 1 Pages

    Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet portrays Tybalt as a pugnacious fighter who is often quarreling with his opponents, the Montagues. At the dawn of the book a fight breaks out between a couple of low standing Montagues and Capulets. When Benvolio tries to step in and keep the peace Tybalt attacks him. “What, draw, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee” (I,i,80). Tybalt, even through Benvolio’s insistence on peace, attacks him for his hatred of his foe is strong. Later in the act Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio are attending the party put on by Lord Capulet. Tybalt eventually spots Romeo dancing with Juliet, and makes to end Romeo for it. It fits, when such a villain is a guest: I’ll not endure him” (I,v,698).

    Read More

  • The Complex Mercutio In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    676 Words  | 2 Pages

    from Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War, to Richard III of Shakespeare’s play. A prominent,

    Read More

  • Comparing Two Interpretations of Act 3, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet

    2223 Words  | 5 Pages

    would make a big difference in the way it affects an audience. In the new film, better technology and skills were available and its modernisation, let it relate to the audience of today. For example, its setting, changing it from a square to a beach and using guns instead. of the swords of the king. The sound effects were a strength as it adds to creating an atmosphere, and the way the weather could change very quickly when something bad happened to me.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Tragedy Quotes

    859 Words  | 2 Pages

    Romeo senses tensions are high with Tybalt, so he states, “I do protest I never injured thee but love thee better than thou canst devise.” (Lines 65-66 Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is trying to diffuse the situation because he realizes that Tybalt is his love's cousin. Mercutio is surprised by Romeo’s behavior, so he decides to fight Tybalt himself. Mercutio’s decision to fight Tybalt leads to his own death. Romeo is angered by the death of Mercutio and states, “Now, Tybalt, take the “villain" back again/ That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul.” (Lines 123-124 of Act Three, Scene One). Romeo is indicating that Tybalt is the villain now, because he slayed Mercutio. Romeo forgets about his attempt to befriend the Capulets and slays Tybalt. Romeo, murderer of Tybalt, solely focuses on Juliet and states “Ha, banishment? Be merciful, say “death"/For exile hath more terror in his look.” (Lines 12-13 of Act Three, Scene Three). Romeo does not care about Tybalt’s life, but only cares for the way it affects his relationship with Juliet. Romeo’s mother dies out of grief because of his banishment. Romeo’s recklessness in loving Juliet has led to the death of three

    Read More

  • Mercutio Responsible For The Deaths In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    887 Words  | 2 Pages

    While reading Shakespeare's play “Romeo and Juliet” it is easy to see that everybody in the story is at fault for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Personally however, I believe that three of the main characters are more at fault then the other characters. First is Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend. Next is Benvolio, nephew of Lord Montague and Romeo’s other friend. Last is Friar Lawrence, Romeo and Juliet Franciscan Priest. In a story of unorthodox love, family feuding, and violence, many are at blame for the deaths.

    Read More

  • Mercutio Is To Blame In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

    801 Words  | 2 Pages

    ​It is human nature to place blame and point fingers at someone, but it is a lot less common to take responsibility for your own actions. Sometimes, we put ourselves in positions that are detrimental to our lives or well-being. Even though we are responsible, it is likely that we will place the blame elsewhere. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio found himself with a similar conflict. Tybalt, Juliet's cousin, killed Mercutio during a fight in the town square. It would be easy to say that Tybalt caused Mercutio’s death since it was his sword that killed him, but that is simply false. Mercutio ignored many warnings and continued to antagonize the fight that lead to his death. The character ultimately responsible for Mercutio’s death is

    Read More

  • Mercutio and the Nurse in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    661 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercutio and the Nurse in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Throughout the whole of Romeo & Juliet there is a strong comparison. between Mercutio & the nurse. Neither are a part of either family, but they get drawn into this family brawl.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Tybalt In Romeo And Juliet

    1013 Words  | 3 Pages

    Also in the beginning of the play a fight breaks out between the Montague and Capulet families and the Prince intervenes and after telling them to drop their weapons he says “If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.” Although this rule was given Tybalt challenged Romeo to a duel. Romeo kept refusing to fight Tybalt which caused Mercutio to be outraged and draw his own sword. During the duel between Tybalt and Mercutio, Romeo intervenes and tries to stop them both but Tybalt puts his sword under Romeo’s arm and kills Mercutio. Romeo then fights with Tybalt and murders him and is banished from Verona. If Tybalt hadn’t been so aggressive with the whole situation Romeo wouldn’t have been banished, and Juliet wouldn’t have needed to come up with a plan that resulted in both of their deaths.

    Read More

  • Romeo A Tragic Hero Essay

    855 Words  | 2 Pages

    The excerpt shows how even Mercutio recognizes the feud between the Montagues and Capulets being destructive, and how it is now gotten so out of hand he has been dragged into it. Mercutio tries to open Romeo’s eyes on how if this feud continues there will be a demise for both families; but by Romeo choosing to ignore this advice and killing Tybalt he is setting himself up for his failure/downfall. Thus, Romeo is shown as a tragic hero because his demise is partly his fault and not an accident.

    Read More

  • Mercutio To Blame In Romeo And Juliet

    573 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mercutio can be blamed for Romeo and Juliet’s peril because he initiated the fight with Tybalt and forced Romeo to go to the Capulet’s party. At the beginning of the play, Romeo gets invited to the Capulet’s party by a servant, unless he was a Montague. At first, Romeo did not want to go, but Mercutio eventually convinced him under the pretext that Rosaline, Romeo’s love, was going to be there. The next day, Tybalt, a Capulet, went looking for Romeo because he knew that Romeo was at the Capulet party. Instead, he stumbled upon Mercutio and Benvolio and asked them where he could find Romeo. However, Mercutio did not want to tell him and insisted on having a duel. Tybalt killed Mercutio during the fight, and Romeo kills Tybalt because he has the need to avenge his friend. Unfortunately, Prince Escalus punished Romeo by banishing him from Verona. This made Romeo and Juliet’s love

    Read More

  • Theme Of Mercutio In Romeo And Juliet

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Foils In Romeo And Juliet

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare, two very young people fall in love but cannot be with each other because of the feud in between their families. The feud ends when Romeo and Juliet both kill themselves because of heartbreak over the other. The minor characters Mercutio, Tybalt, and Friar Lawrence serve as foils to Romeo, to help support the theme of patience.

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Movie Comparison

    686 Words  | 2 Pages

    Baz Luhrmann is smart in using young, attractive characters to make the adaptation more appealing to a more adolescent audience. Shakespeare would be proud of it. Through an explosion of colourful costumes, the audience is amazed at Luhrmann’s use of symbolic ensembles.

    Read More

  • How Is Mercutio Disrespectful

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    In act 3, scene 1, Mercutio is dying, “No, ‘tis not so deep as a well; nor so wide as a church door.” Mercutio is on his deathbed and he is describing his wound, trying to make himself sound like a hero. Mercutio put himself in a tense situation by preparing to fight. He knew that the consequences were severe, yet he eggs Tybalt on and gives others a reason to fight. If not for Mercutio’s dramatic and attention-seeking personality, Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, Paris, and he would all still be

    Read More

  • Romeo And Juliet Forgiveness Analysis

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    After catching Romeo at a party he was not supposed to be at, Tybalt had it out for Romeo. Just after Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, Tybalt comes looking for him wanting to fight. Romeo does not want to fight because he now loves Tybalt since he is family to him, but neither Tybalt or anyone else knows this reason. Quickly, Mercutio steps in and tells Tybalt that he will fight him in honour of Romeo. Sadly, this led to the death of Mercutio.

    Read More

More about A Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet

Open Document