Comparing Act 1 Scene 5 Of William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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The scene could have went a different way with a different outcome, but instead there was an element of choice that led to Mercutio’s death. A key point in the chapter was when Tybalt insulted Romeo by saying, “thou art a villain” (II.i.63). When Shakespeare uses insults, people expect a retaliation attack or insult, but Romeo didn’t say anything. Tybalt knew what he said would trigger either Romeo or Mercutio and would ultimately cause a fight. What Tybalt said should’ve triggered Romeo to fight him, but instead he backed down which forced Mercutio to step up and defend Romeo. If Romeo were to defend his honor and fight back, Mercutio could have been spared and there would have been a different outcome.
Another example of diction that lead