Hopeless romantic vs. Arrogant bastard

Mercutio

Shakespeare is well known for creating some of the most famous and important characters in literature, but only a few of them are likely to have a bandwagon such as Mercutio’s. A character that’s good at making fun of others by outsmarting them is likely to be one of the audience’s favorite, because in the end, it’s all about spicing up the story.

First reason why Mercutio is so much fun is because he knows to how to express himself eloquently. Being displayed as a witty character he cannot help but to make fun of everyone around him by mistaking the meaning of words or simply saying things like “Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down” to a heart-broken Romeo. It doesn’t matter who he’s talking to, he always has a smart reaction and answer.

Second reason is he has a strong will. He stood up against Tybalt even though he had nothing to do with the problem between the Capulet and Montague which ultimately lead to his death, but even at this very moment he continued being strong by encouraging Romeo to get married despite the families’ dissaprovement; ”a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough." Only after this happens Romeo finally acts like a man and avenges Mercutio’s death.

Last reason why Mercutio is so great is because he’s the only character in the whole Romeo and Juliet story that dies in an honorable way. In this story, love is overrated. The main two characters die in the most dramatic and foolish way whereas Mercurtio unselfishly dies in the heat of the battle just as a man was supposed to back in those days.

A character like this is more interesting because of all the brilliance behind him; it is known that “in some literary circles Mercutio was removed as he was increasingly stealing the show from Romeo, the lead character (with Juliet) in this play... “ 1 . Hopeless romantic vs. arrogant bastard; I know my pick.



1 AbsoluteShakespeare.com/ (2000- 2005) / Checked on February 1st, 2010.