The Role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet

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The Role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet In William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, each character plays a specific role in driving the action forward and shaping the play's theme. One secondary character, Mercutio, is essential to the play. Mercutio is the Prince's kinsman, but more importantly, he is Romeo's friend and confidant. Mercutio's concern is always for Romeo and for peace between the two families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Mercutio is the first to see that Romeo is deeply in love. In Act 2, scene 1, Mercutio calls for Romeo by saying, "Romeo! Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover!" He then says, "my invocation is fair and honest, in his mistress' name…." Mercutio shows his concern and expresses it to Romeo. He does not want Romeo to marry his mistress, Juliet, because he knows it will cause trouble between the two families. Mercutio tries to convince Romeo that his love for Juliet will only cause problems and in the end, things will not work out. Romeo dismisses Mercutio as, "A gentleman, that loves...

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