Mercutio

• “You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings. - A1

  Superficiality of love

  His tone is deterministic in the way he labels Romeo as a 'lover', which sounds rather cynical, as though people are set and have no free will to do something else. Furthermore, Cupid is blind in Roman mythology, making the arrows of love he shoots seem random and ruled by chance, which is a pessimistic view of something traditionally romantic. 'Borrow' also diminishes Cupid's power, as though anyone might 'borrow Cupid's wings'. We can deduce from Mercutio's language, that he is pessimistic about love.
• this is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, that presses them and learns them first to bear - A1


  Themes of the superficiality of love

  He speaks of love as a corrupting influence. He slanders Queen Mab and turns her into a villain, doing so of love, by extension. Sex was a very taboo topic during this period, and thus Queen Mab, who introduces 'maids' to it thus villainous. Mercutio speaks of cynically labelling it as superficial and corrupting, which, given the play's ending, doesn't seem all that inaccurate.
• madman, passion, lover! - A2

  Themes of the superficiality of love

  His grouping of these words makes them sound as though they are 'semantics', he speaks as though 'madman' and 'lover' are synonymous. In this way he is mocking Romeo and shows his distaste for love.
• Speak to my gossip Venus one fair word - A2


  Themes of the superficiality of love

  He evokes the Goddess of love, using the personal pronoun 'my' as though he knows her personally, and calls her a 'gossip'. With that, he somehow manages to diminish her power and the power of love by extension.
• By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh - A2


  Themes of Duality

  The use of the 'blazon' technique in Mercutio's description of Rosaline's body parts portrays his primitive and sexual view of love. He only lists the sexual body parts to entice Romeo. Despite the jesting tone, there is a serious undertone to his bawdy imagery.
• King of Cats - A3

  Themes of Rashness and Impulsivity in Violence

  He labels Tybalt as swift and nimble, but also refers to the Tybalt in the tale of Reynard the Fox, who is also quick to brawl and impulsive. In his comment he both compliments Tybalt, but also insults him, comparing him to a frequently mocked fictional character. This shows Mercutio to be unfiltered and impulsive in what he says.
• A plague o' both/your houses - A3

  Family + Violence + Individual vs Society

  The deathly image illustrates how this familial feud is tarnished with death and destruction- everyone who is entangled in this conflict is destined for a grim fate. He has become disillusioned with violence and feuds, yet this ironically catalyses violence and propels the tragedy forward.
• Key words


  Condescending

  Jest

  Deterministic

  Cupid

  Pessimism

  Unfiltered

  Provocative