How Is Mercutio Disrespectful

In William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” Mercutio is introduced as Romeo (the main character) and Benvolio’s (Romeo’s cousin and friend) good friend and relative of the Prince. Mercutio is a very beloved friend to Romeo, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t unkind or disrespectful. He is also very dramatic and perverted, yet somehow laid back and relaxed at the same time. He is very interesting in the way that he can seem kind, but be an awful person and friend at the same time. If Mercutio weren’t as dramatic or such an attention-seeker, he wouldn’t have died and eventually caused Tybalt, Paris, Romeo, and Juliet’s deaths and the sadness that followed each death.

In Act 2, scene 4, Mercutio shows that he a very disrespectful young man. He says to Peter, “Good Peter, to hide her face; for her fan’s the fairer of the two.” (94-95) He is telling Peter that Juliet’s nurse is ugly and that she needs to cover it up, because her fan looks better than her face. Mercutio is so disrespectful that he tells Peter how ugly the nurse is right in front of her. For one, she’s older and deserves respect from others, even if she doesn’t demand it. For another, she never said anything to anger any of the Montague’s or any of Mercutio’s friends or family therefore, she does not deserve to be treated like a piece of trash or compared to an ugly fan. But,

Mercutio disregards that she is not a bad person or even a hateful person and attacks her looks and later goes on to insult the amount of knowledge that she has. Even though the nurse did not understand what Mercutio was saying or that he was even discrediting her, it still makes Mercutio disrespectful person.
Secondly, Mercutio is unkind for the same reason. If Mercutio cannot treat others right, he cannot treat anyone right. As stated before, “Good Peter, to hide her face; for the fan’s the fairer of the two.” Mercutio not only shows his disrespect for others through the way he so harshly speaks about them, but his unkindness for those that do not meet his definition of “normal.” People like Mercutio are beloved and held high on the societal pedestal because they say “amusing” things and make others laugh. But, just because what Mercutio says is funny to others, even though the nurse doesn’t understand, does not mean that what was said was right or fair at all. What Mercutio has to say may be humorous to others, but it is crude and, in my opinion, should be left unsaid.
Also, Mercutio’s personality is that of a pervert. What he says is extremely degrading and tremendously insulting to women. In act 2, scene 1, Mercutio talks about Rosaline’s body, as if it is an object, “By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh.” (19) Mercutio treats Rosaline, and other women, as if they are items to be used for conveniences and fun. Mercutio could try to control what he says, but it seems that he has no filter. Sadly, Mercutio is not the only one who thinks and talks this way.
Paris, upon meeting Juliet for the first time, states that she has ruined the face that he “owns” through tears and crying. “Thy face is mine, and thou hast slandered it.” (4.1.35) Paris implies, one, that Juliet is ugly and two, that he wishes she would stop crying because she is ugly. Paris does not care how Juliet feels only that he doesn’t want to be seen with such a hideous face. This shows that he is judging Juliet based on her looks rather than her personality. Mercutio and Paris are very alike in the way that they do not care for women’s feelings and treat them as entities.
Shakespeare’s character, Mercutio, is not only disrespectful, inconsiderate, and perverted, he is also dramatic and attention-seeking.

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

alive.
Mercutio is dramatic, but he can also be easygoing and relaxed when he needs to be. I think that this is one of, if the only, good attributes to him. Mercutio knows when fun is needed and when to help other relax and have a good time. In act 4, Romeo doesn’t think that he will have any fun at the party because he thinks that he is still in love with Rosaline. Mercutio insists on Romeo going to Capulet’s home, “Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance.” (1.4.13) This quote shows that Mercutio can have fun and help others do the same. Romeo ended up having a great time and getting his mind off of Rosaline. In fact, he even ended up falling in love and getting married to Juliet. However, Mercutio’s actions still lead to many deaths, including his own.
Lastly, Mercutio is an intense story-teller. He has a big imagination and can quickly come up with smart lies to get himself out of trouble. Mercutio puts Romeo’s worries to rest by convincing him that the party will be harmless and fun. He starts his long story by making Romeo think that he is foolish. “O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you.” (1.4.53) This quote shows that Mercutio has a way of making others think that what they said may be wrong or that he or she is worrying too much. However, even with Mercutio’s smart talk and quick ideas, he still is the cause of the deaths(Romeo, Juliet, Paris, Tybalt, and his own) in the play.
In conclusion, Mercutio does not have a pleasurable personality, even when he died. He was disrespectful, unkind, perverted, and dramatic. At the same time, he was easygoing around certain people and had a quick tongue. Mercutio was able to make others feel as if they were being ignorant and blunt. He was also capable of creating drama and turning quiet situations into extensive conditions. Mercutio knew that looking for ways to anger others was risky and could easily get out of hand. However, being Mercutio, he wanted something to do, because he was bored. Knowing Mercutio more fully, the readers were able to foretell that his role would end the play on a down note. He is the reason behind the sadness and confusion in the last act of the play and I am very happy that Mercutio’s actions ended in his death. If they had not, Mercutio would still be alive, making bad choices, and messing up other people’s lives.