Mercutio

• Who is Mercutio related to in the play?

  The Prince
• What is Mercutio's relationship to Romeo?

  He is Romeo's best friend
• What does Mercutio do to cheer Romeo up?

  He gives a speech about Queen Mab
• What does Mercutio's speech about Queen Mab reveal about his character?

  He is intelligent and witty
• How does Mercutio criticize Romeo's beliefs about dreams?

  He says dreams depend on the dreamer
• What does Mercutio mean by saying soldiers dream of "cutting throats"?

  Dreams reflect the dreamer's experiences
• What is Mercutio's attitude towards other characters?

  He mocks and teases them
• What nickname does Mercutio give to Tybalt?

  King of Cats
• What does Mercutio's line "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man" imply?

  He is aware of his impending death
• What is Mercutio's view on love?

  • Cynical and rude
  • Criticizes Romeo's romanticism
  • Makes sexual jokes about love
• What does Mercutio's play on the word "grave" signify?

  It has a double meaning related to death
• Who is the first character to die in the play?

  Mercutio
• What impact does Mercutio's death have on the play?

  It creates a significant emotional gap
• What does Mercutio's curse "a plague o' both your houses" signify?

  It highlights the feud's danger
• How does Mercutio's death contribute to the play's tragic events?

  It provokes Romeo to kill Tybalt
• What themes are explored through Mercutio's character?

  • Love: Cynical view vs. romantic ideals
  • Honour: Critique of the importance of honour
  • The consequences of feuds and violence
• Why does Mercutio fight to protect Romeo's honour?

  He believes in the importance of honour
• How does Shakespeare portray Mercutio beyond being a jester?

  As a morally down-to-earth character
• How do Mercutio's views on love contradict religious teachings?

  They are crude and sexual, not pure
• What does the phrase “A plague o’ both your houses” signify?

  Mercutio's disregard for fate and family feud
• What does Mercutio's listing of Rosaline's body parts illustrate?

  His sexual and primitive view of love
• What literary device is used in Mercutio's quote about love being rough?

  Plosive lexis to convey harshness
• What characteristic is Mercutio primarily associated with?

  Violence and aggression
• Who is described as a scene stealer in Shakespeare's works?

  Mercutio
• What character traits define Mercutio in the play?

  He has a quick wit and clever mind
• How does Mercutio's behavior contrast with other characters in the play?

  He mocks romantic sentiments and self-love
• What does Mercutio do to Romeo's self-indulgence?


  He mocks it
• How does Mercutio view Tybalt's character?

  He ridicules Tybalt’s hauteur and fashion
• Who describes Mercutio as a force that deflates romantic love?

  Stephen Greenblatt
• What is Mercutio's stance on fate compared to other characters?

  He blames specific people for his death
• How does Mercutio's death differ from other characters' deaths in the play?

  He curses all Montagues and Capulets
• What does Mercutio's mocking of romantic love signify in the play?

  It highlights the absurdity of self-love
• What type of humor does Mercutio frequently use?

  Puns and jokes
• In what ways does Mercutio's character contribute to the play's themes?

  He challenges romantic ideals and fate
• What role does Mercutio play in the context of romantic love?

  He critiques and deflates its possibility
• True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy. (I.iv.)
• True, I talk of dreams,Which are the children of an idle brain,Begot of nothing but vain fantasy. (I.iv.)

  Mercutio’s “Queen Mab” speech introduces us to an important aspect of his character. He is a cynical realist who finds dreams and fantasies ridiculous. Throughout the play Mercutio makes fun of Romeo’s fantasy of perfect romantic love, which invites the audience to question the seriousness and maturity of Romeo’s feelings for Juliet.
• Appear thou in likeness of a sigh,Speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied,Cry but “Ay me,” pronounce but “love” and “dove.” (II.i.)
• Appear thou in likeness of a sigh,Speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied,Cry but “Ay me,” pronounce but “love” and “dove.” (II.i.)

  Mercutio makes fun of Romeo for using language drawn from the love poetry that was popular in Shakespeare’s day. He draws attention to the fact that Romeo’s romantic language is clichéd, suggesting that Romeo’s feelings might be inauthentic or immature.
• O Romeo, that she were, O, that she wereAn open-arse, thou a poperin pear! (II.i.)