Mercutio’s irrational actions partly contributed to his death consequently affecting the outcome of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio’s stubborn and self-centred personality is evident when arguing with Tybalt through his use of emotive language to anger and criticize him. “Men’s eyes are made to look…I will not budge for no man’s pleasure.” This use of emotive language displays Mercutio’s delusions of the morality and grandeur upheld by the characters around him. As a result, if Mercutio had not been self-centred and arrogant, perhaps Romeo and Juliet’s demise could have been prevented. Also even though the notion of destiny was held in high esteem in the Elizabethan era, Mercutio, a lawd and egotistical character, had no regard for these ideas. This is reflected through his colourful imagery and figurative language “her chariot is an empty hazelnut” in response to Romeo’s fear if “some consequence hanging in the stars.
The friar was an affectionate and compassionate character who viewed Romeo and Juliet’s relationship as an opportunity “to turn your household’s rancour to pure love.” However his actions catalysed the events leading to Romeo and Juliet’s deaths. His realization of his negligence in delivering the letter to Juliet, is highlighted by the sever results of his actions on the fate of Juliet “poor living corse, enclosed in a dead man’s tomb”. The use of the oxymoron reflects that his intentions were good because Juliet’s death was meant to be an illusion. However his foreshadowing of the disastrous outcome can be seen through “Wisely and slow, they stumble than run fast.”
The nurse contributed a minor part in the