“I must conjure him. I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes, by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh, And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us!” (Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 1, V. 19-24) Who would take offense to these rough, uncaring words? Shakespeare shapes Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet as an anti-romantic character who regards love as an exclusively physical pursuit,, and see’s unrequited love as a bore.
Mercutio’s statements about women provide a picture painting him as a believer that love is only in physical pursuits. Mercutio states, “Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. (1.4. P.28) In other words Mercutio believes that
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Mercutio states, “I must conjure him. I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright eyes, by her high forehead and her scarlet lip, by her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh, And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us!” (2.1. 19-24) Mercutio in context is saying this monologue in an almost rude and insulting tone of voice. This suggests to the audience that Mercutio perhaps views women as commodities.
When Mercutio’s buddy Romeo is getting over the fact that Rosaline will not love him back; Mercutio says, “If love be rough with you, be rough with love” (1. 4. P.27). Mercutio’s blunt statements may help Romeo snap out of his depression. However Mike Hardcastle states, "Unrequited love"—love that isn't reciprocated—can be one of life's most painful experiences, for both teens and adults.” (Hardcastle, Web)
If Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" was portrayed differently instead of his apparent anti-woman, and his attitude towards love the audience would miss out on an important minor character. Mercutio views love as physical pursuit unlike the majority of other males in this time period, has no limit on his tongue when it comes to women in general; absolutely Mercutio doesn’t look kindly on unrequited love in