Romeo And Juliet Mercutio Foil

In Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Mercutio is known for his wit as well as his loyalty to Romeo. “Romeo and Juliet” is a tragedy written by the renowned Shakespeare. In the 15th century of Verona, Italy, two teenagers from feuding families cross paths and fall in love. Despite their families dispute, the two secretly marry. After a sequence of misunderstandings and tragedies, the paramours perish. Mercutio is a humorous yet independent friend of Romeo who dies at the hands of Tybalt, a member of the Capulet family. Mercutio serves as a foil to Romeo, a catalyst to tragedy, and the comedic relief in the story. Opposites tend to attract, which is the case for Romeo and Mercutio. Mercutio was first introduced in Act 1 Scene 4 as Romeo’s friend.

For example, Mercutio encourages Romeo to attend the Capulet party where he will meet Juliet. In a mocking manner, Mercutio says, “Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word:If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'stup to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho”(1.4,40). Provoked, Romeo decides to prove himself “unstuck in love.” This is the first turning point in the play, transforming it into a story of newfound love. The second turning point is Mercutio’s killing. On his dying breath, Mercutio says, “A plague o’ both your houses. They have made worm’ meat of me”(3.1,87). This eye opening quote sets the new tone of somber and sadness. After his death, the play falls into a spiral of tragedy. A domino effect of tragic fate will take place, resulting in the deaths of many key characters. After Mercutio is slain by Tybalt, a member of the Capulets, Romeo takes revenge and kills him. As a result Romeo is banished, and the deaths of Paris, Lady Montague, Juliet and Romeo follow suit. Romeo and Juliet could have been a comedy, but nonetheless, Mercutio’s death causes the story to take the form of a tragedy. That being said, Mercutio is the star of comedy in the