Why I admire Mercutio

I am currently reading “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare and so far in the play Tybalt has just stabbed (and killed) Mercutio and as a result, Romeo killed Tybalt. Although Mercutio is now dead, I still think that he is the most complex and interesting character in the play so far. Mercutio is both Romeo’s friend and confident. He is a true friend to Romeo and tries his best to keep the peace. Although Mercutio is viewed as a secondary character, I believe he is the most important character so far because not only does he foreshadow devastating events in the play while moving the action forward, but I noticed that his death is also a major turning point in the play.

One reason why Mercutio is my favorite character is because although Romeo is rash, Mercutio stays his true friend. Ultimately, all Mercutio wants is for there to be peace between the Montagues and Capulets.  In Act 2 scene 1 when Mercutio is the first to see that Romeo is deeply in love, he calls for Romeo saying, “Romeo! Humors! Passion! Lover!” Then he says, “My invocation is fair and honest in his mistress’ name.” He doesn’t want him to marry his mistress (Juliet) because he knows that the Montagues and Capulets are each other’s enemies and it will only cause trouble between the two families. I love this part because Mercutio is obviously expressing his concern to Romeo which isn’t always an easy thing to do. Have you ever felt like what your friend was doing or thinking was wrong but you never said anything because you didn’t want to get into something you weren’t involved in? Well if you think about it, Mercutio isn’t a Montague or a Capulet so even though he knows that Romeo’s love for Juliet will only cause problems in the end, he still tries to pull Romeo out of the situation he’s in and tries to help him understand. From past experiences, I know that this isn’t always an easy thing to do because although it might not seem like it, it takes courage. This is one reason why I admire Mercutio.

Another reason why I admire Mercutio is because even after Romeo says in Act 2 scene 1, “A gentleman, that loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute than he will stand in a month.” (Romeo just doesn’t get the warnings Mercutio has been trying to tell him because love has already overcome him and taken over his thoughts.), he stays a true friend to Romeo. Mercutio shows loyalty and courage when he fights Tybalt to defend Romeos name in Act 3 scene 1. As Tybalt stabs Mercutio, Mercutio says, “A plague o’ both your houses!” It’s not until Mercutio is dead that Romeo realizes the consequences of his love affairs, thus making Mercutio’s death a major turning point in the play.

All in all, Mercutio is the bravest, funniest, most interesting, and overall my favorite character in the play so far. What I admire most about Mercutio is the courageous loyalty he has for Romeo. He foreshadows many important events and his death marks an important turning point in the play as the tragedy develops and the fates of the protagonists darken.