Mercutio's Honestful Nature
A famous philosopher from around five hundred years before Christ once said “Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles.” (Zi) If there were ever a book character that fulfilled this, it would be Mercutio, the cousin and loyal friend to Romeo. A fine young man, Mercutio is not a being to cross unless one is prepared to fight; he fights for what he believes in, and defends what he thinks is right. He has a good sense of humour. Despite his entertaining and somewhat impulsive nature, Mercutio is fiercely dutiful to the house of Montague, and will defend its honour to the death. The first characteristic that Mercutio exhibits is his entertaining nature. In I-iv, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio are sneaking into the Capulet house for the
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In II-iv, Benvolio and Mercutio are talking together about Tybalt, when Romeo approaches. he joins in with them, and Mercutio bolsters his confidence by talking of his great skill with a sword. Here, we see Mercutio encouraging his friend in accepting a duel. Despite his joking side, Mercutio still recognises when there is someone in need, and rushes to help. In lines sixty-six to sixty-nine, he remarks: “if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done; for thou hast more of the wild goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.” (Shakespeare) While this comment makes fun of Romeo and references his ditching them the night before, it also complements him in a guy way that girls will never understand, and reassures him that he still has good friends who will be by his side. The second place where Mercutio shows his sense of duty is in III-i, when he and benvolio are out in town on a hot summer’s afternoon. Tybalt Capulet comes along and tells Mercutio that he is challenging Romeo to a duel. Following the Prince’s threat that, in lieu of any more conflicts the offenders would be banished, Benvolio is anxious to move to a private place. However, Mercutio doesn’t listen. When Romeo arrives and refuses the duel, Mercutio steps up to fight. Once again, this shows us that Mercutio will stand up for what he believes is right, even if it brings large
In II-iv, Benvolio and Mercutio are talking together about Tybalt, when Romeo approaches. he joins in with them, and Mercutio bolsters his confidence by talking of his great skill with a sword. Here, we see Mercutio encouraging his friend in accepting a duel. Despite his joking side, Mercutio still recognises when there is someone in need, and rushes to help. In lines sixty-six to sixty-nine, he remarks: “if our wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done; for thou hast more of the wild goose in one of thy wits than, I am sure, I have in my whole five.” (Shakespeare) While this comment makes fun of Romeo and references his ditching them the night before, it also complements him in a guy way that girls will never understand, and reassures him that he still has good friends who will be by his side. The second place where Mercutio shows his sense of duty is in III-i, when he and benvolio are out in town on a hot summer’s afternoon. Tybalt Capulet comes along and tells Mercutio that he is challenging Romeo to a duel. Following the Prince’s threat that, in lieu of any more conflicts the offenders would be banished, Benvolio is anxious to move to a private place. However, Mercutio doesn’t listen. When Romeo arrives and refuses the duel, Mercutio steps up to fight. Once again, this shows us that Mercutio will stand up for what he believes is right, even if it brings large