Character analysis of Mercutio

When we study the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, the play’s obvious messages of fate and love become apparent. It is about two people in love who commit suicide when their feuding families prevent them from being together. However, one of the biggest underlying questions that rest on the mind of the reader is: “Who is Mercutio, and what is his role in the play?†The play has many characters, each with their own role in keeping the plot line. Some characters have very little to do with the plot but some have the plot revolving around them. Mercutio is one of the most unique characters in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. His most important role, however, is that Mercutio is Romeo's friend. He is neither a Montague, nor a Capulet. Therefore, he has not been born into a feud yet he still allies himself with the Capulets.
Mercutio's character stands out from the rest because of the energy in everything says and does. He is constantly playing on words, using two or more meanings. Romeo once describes him as, "A gentlemenwho loves to hear himself talk" (2.4.145-147). Also, displayed in his Queen Mab speech in Act I Scene IV, he is very imaginative. He describes in intimate detail everything

When analyzed, Mercutio’s character is very important to the plot of the play. First and foremost, Mercutio convinces Romeo to go to the party at the Capulet's house, where he meets Juliet. Romeo was very reluctant to go to the party and even expressed a feeling of insecurity about the consequences associated with being spotted at the Capulet’s. However, after Mercutio persuaded and teases him, Romeo decides to go. Keep in mind that it is solely because of Mercutio's persuasions that Romeo attends the gathering. Secondly, Mercutio's death, which comes as a result of his own hot tempered attitude, sets off the chain of events that leads to Romeo's banishment.

During the first scene of Act III, Mercutio is being his normal, witty self. However, ironically, his wittiness ends up getting him killed. He deliberately annoys Tybalt, by doing things like purposely mistaking meanings of words. In Act III Scene I, Tybalt asks Mercutio about the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio takes the word 'consort' in the context of Juliet playing music with Romeo. Instances of Mercutio’s inability to be serious merely make the argument more heated. Ultimately, while Romeo is standing between Mercutio and Tybalt trying to stop the fight, Tybalt kills Mercutio. Romeo in a fit of rage, kills Tybalt. As a consequence, Romeo is banished from Verona and therefore from seeing Juliet.

In conclusion, with a quick wit