How does Shakespeare present Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet
Examine how Shakespeare presents Mercutio and Tybalt in ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Mercutio and Tybalt are seen in extremely contrasting ways in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and are both incredibly interesting characters. However Shakespeare uses a range of techniques to present them both and this is why they are such memorable secondary characters.
Mercutio is very important to the play as he is Romeo’s most trusted friend and also the prince’s kinsman, however he also ads a lot more which makes the audience love him, for example his humor. Right from the offset we see Mercutio as a witty yet bawdy character and Shakespeare use innuendos to create laughs, for example when talking with the nurse he says “is now upon the prick of noon” this particularly crude way in which he tells the time shows that he is not only quick but hilarious as well which makes the audience love him even more.
As well as this Mercutio has an extremely close relationship to Romeo but also has some rather differing views, especially on love. Romeo has the idea that love is very romantic and should be passionate however Mercutio has almost the completely opposite viewpoint. Shakespeare makes Mercutio have a negative attitude towards love and this is evident in his Queen Mab speech (Act 1, Scene 4) where he says “true I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain” this implies that Mercutio thinks that love is only a dream and because dreams are not real neither is love. Shakespeare makes him have this view on love because it is far more realistic compared to the two protagonists, their view on love is very superficial and perhaps because Mercutio makes fun of this is why the audience likes him so much. As well as this the speech shows his amazing imagination in which entertains the audience throughout the play.
Another way in which Shakespeare presents Mercutio is through the fight scene in which he dies. Mercutio is extremely volatile and hasty similar to his name which sounds like
Mercutio and Tybalt are seen in extremely contrasting ways in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and are both incredibly interesting characters. However Shakespeare uses a range of techniques to present them both and this is why they are such memorable secondary characters.
Mercutio is very important to the play as he is Romeo’s most trusted friend and also the prince’s kinsman, however he also ads a lot more which makes the audience love him, for example his humor. Right from the offset we see Mercutio as a witty yet bawdy character and Shakespeare use innuendos to create laughs, for example when talking with the nurse he says “is now upon the prick of noon” this particularly crude way in which he tells the time shows that he is not only quick but hilarious as well which makes the audience love him even more.
As well as this Mercutio has an extremely close relationship to Romeo but also has some rather differing views, especially on love. Romeo has the idea that love is very romantic and should be passionate however Mercutio has almost the completely opposite viewpoint. Shakespeare makes Mercutio have a negative attitude towards love and this is evident in his Queen Mab speech (Act 1, Scene 4) where he says “true I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain” this implies that Mercutio thinks that love is only a dream and because dreams are not real neither is love. Shakespeare makes him have this view on love because it is far more realistic compared to the two protagonists, their view on love is very superficial and perhaps because Mercutio makes fun of this is why the audience likes him so much. As well as this the speech shows his amazing imagination in which entertains the audience throughout the play.
Another way in which Shakespeare presents Mercutio is through the fight scene in which he dies. Mercutio is extremely volatile and hasty similar to his name which sounds like