Mercutio quotes analysis

• "A plague o...

  The first sentence is repeated twice within Act 3 scene 1. Thus, the repetition of this phrase enforces the impression that Mercutio, unlike the majority of the characters in the play, completely disregards fate. Mercutio describes his death in euphemistic terms as he describes that Tybalt has made 'worms' meat' out of him
• "if love be rough

  The plosive lexis reinforces the impression of Mercutio's harsh, and raw perception of love as this suggests that he views sex as a violent action. The violent verbs 'prick' and 'pricking' create phallic imagery , which depicts Shakespearean audiences view of love as purely sexual and illustrates the dominance men and over women. The symmetry of the sentence structure contrasts Mercutio's opinions of love. The symmetry makes it seems of love is very complete and perfect
• "O calm, dishonourable...

  "The tricolour creates a lexicon of fragility which emphasises Romeo's effeminate inability to fight, whilst exaggerating Mercutio's male aggressive behaviour
• 'O Romeo, that she...

  The plosive lexis created through the mentioning of 'poperin pear!' reinforces there impression that Mercutio view love in a rough and harsh way. The mention of 'poperin pear!' creates more sexual imagery as this was a fruit that was often associated and compared to women genitalia
• "I conjure thee...

  Mercutio's listing of Rosaline's body parts alludes to the popular poetic 'blazon' technique. This listing reinforces the impression of Mercutio's sexual and primitive view of love as he again creates sexual imagery through his speeches