A Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in 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...

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...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.