Similarities Between Romeo And Juliet And Mercutio

The clash between the two opposing sides involving Mercutio and Tybalt in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet characterized the masculine codes of honor in Veronese society. The fact of the matter that Mercutio had fought to defend the honor of Romeo’s name suggests a strong sense of honor, courage, and first and foremost loyalty by challenging Tybalt in place of Romeo. In this situation both Tybalt and Mercutio can not make sense of Romeo’s noncompliance in regards to fighting. Mercutio even goes to extent of calling Romeo’s actions, "O calm, dishonorable, vile submission" (3.4.25). Consequently, Romeo is effeminized by rejecting Tybalt's challenge choosing to not act violent on the behalf of his name, instead he chooses to exert self control

Romeo’s particular perception of love is mockable in Mercutio’s eyes and the way he characterizes Romeo and the way he expresses emotions as feminite saying “Romeo! humours! madman! passion! lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh: Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied” (2.1.15). While Romeo is viewed as a romantic character, Mercutio’s understanding of love is entirely based upon the notion of physical pursuit. This perspective of love as a means of physical pursuit leaves a clear distinction in relation to Romeo’s concept of a romantic union. Once Mercutio first is alerted that Tybalt had challenged Romeo he laughs it off, not taking the feud in all seriousness, thinking about how the only conflict Romeo has any participation in is narrowed down to love. Nonetheless, Mercutio is ready to draw his sword and fight on the behalf of Romeo for the sake of masculinity, which at the moment love has triumphed over Romeo making him decline the duel. In this case love can be perceived to effeminize Romeo, consequently producing his lack of masculinity. Romantic love in Romeo’s case can be perceived to preside over friendship with other