Romeo And Juliet Passage Analysis

This passage is important to Romeo and Juliet because it further develops Benvolio and Mercutio’s characters, while establishing the dynamic and roles between the three best friends. The scene takes place outside of Capulet’s house, moments before they ‘crash’ the party. Romeo questions what to do, deciding between causing a scene or dancing for a bit and leaving swiftly. Benvolio is first to give his opinion, by suggesting that they ‘have no Cupid hoodwink’d with a scarf’ (1.4.4) and ‘Nor not without-book prologue’ (1.4.7), which are both examples of boisterous behavior that Benvolio does not approve of. He then goes on to say, ‘We’ll measure them a measure and be gone’ (1.4.10) displaying his reasoning of not wanting to cause a scene. The audience can assume from Benvolio’s lines (1.4.3-10) that his authoritative tone, control, and peace-making is a crucial part of the dynamic between Benvolio, Mercutio, and Romeo, and that the responsibility to rationality lies on Benvolio.
After Romeo says ‘Being but heavy, I will bear the light’ (1.4.12) Mercutio attempts to cheer him up, introducing one of Mercutio’s primary characteristics - the strive to elate others. This is noticeable in ‘Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance’ (1.4.13) and ‘You are a lover, borrow Cupid’s wings and soar with them above a common bound’ (1.4.17-18), which follow tragic statements from Romeo about his feelings of heartbreak and yearning. As Romeo’s lines continue, they share a similar theme of darkness and despair, as do lines preceding this scene. Romeo’s unhappiness can be attributed to his melodramatic and amplified emotions and