Brave Mercutio

"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare is quite an unusual play with interesting characters. Romeo, the dashing young boy with the love for Juliet whom he just married, had killed Tybalt, Juliet's beloved cousin. Romeo originally killed Tybalt with the anger of his good friend Mercutio dying. Tybalt and Mercutio had gotten into a fight when Mercutio was stabbed under the arm and died. Though Tybalt is quite a violent yet interesting person, Mercutio seems like a completely different character to me and is my favorite person in the whole play.

Mercutio isn't the type of person to cry over a person who he loves, or to obsess over someone who he just met 3 hours ago like Romeo. He is different... he isn't a soft person, he is brave, daring and an outrageous person with his thoughts. For example, he danced at the Capulets mask party which to me was hilarious. Although it was funny Mercutio could have gotten killed. Now the Capulets and the Montagues dislike each other and can't stand peace within themselves... at least Tybalt can't. In act 1 scene 4, Mercutio tries calming Romeo down and tells him to loosen up and enjoy himself when he goes to the party. This is one of the reasons why Mercutio is one of my favorite character in the play, he cares about Romeo a lot.

Another reason why Mercutio seems the most interesting to me is because he really doesn't care about love. All he wants to do is have fun with his life. This to me is totally fine. Romeo should understand that at this age love shouldn't be taken seriously because of the rashness that might occur. Mercutio understands this idea but tells Romeo to do the opposite... which is to have sex. "If rough is love with you, be rough with love." Mercutio says to Romeo <- I dont consider that right or a possible answer. But aside that, Mercutio is a nurturing person even if you can't catch it right away. In this scene Mercutio gives MANY advices to Romeo to overcome his "love" for Rosaline. I really did wish Mercutio kept on till the end of the play!

In act 3 scene 1 Mercutio bravely says "Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch," when he gets stabbed by Tybalt. I know that if that were me getting hurt I wouldn't have been as brave as Mercutio who handled it pretty well. His bravery makes him even more interesting. He is a very courageous person with no fears. Everyone in the book has fears but Mercutio seems different. He doesn't seem like the person to have such terror inside them. As for him dying, I would've started crying and rushing to a doctor but he just said it was a scratch and didn't even show a bit of exaggeration to his language.

Mercutio is an amazing character and Romeo and Juliet wouldn't have been the same without him.

Tender, But Rough Love

Has anyone every experienced love at a young age? Sure, Romeo and Juliet have. "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare is a play with a theme of Love, young love. Young love can be fierce, it can be soothing, it can be romantic and it can be cruel according to the main male role, Romeo. Romeo experienced it all. He was in love with Rosaline, a girl that didn't love him back. He was a young boy with a broken heart and heavy shoulders weighing him down to his sadness. On the other hand, 13 year old Juliet is asked to marry Paris by her mother. Juliet contemplates the idea but isn't sure if she is ready.

In act 1 scene 4, Romeo says "I am too sore enpiercèd with his shaft," meaning "His arrow has pierced me too deeply, so I can’t fly." Melancholy Romeo has been hurt with cupids arrow. (Not literally.) With love being cruel in the state Romeo is in now, he isn't enjoying anything. He can't blossom anymore to love, as so he thinks. To me Romeo is trying to ignore the fact that he can move on to find another love but denies it everytime. He wont dance nor will he even try to be happy. He just wants to be left alone in the way he is now. After finding out that his beloved Rosaline is invited to the Capulets party, Romeo finds himself there with Benvolio, his cousin and Mercutio. The Capulets and the Montagues hate each other greatly. They can't stand peace within each others families, so it's very dangerous for Romeo to be in such place.

Also in act 1 scene 4 Romeo says..."Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn." This means "Is love really tender? I think it’s too rough, too rude, too rowdy, and it pricks like a thorn." With this line, Romeo seems more than just heart Broken... he seems as if he can't love again which for a fact isn't true. He thinks love isn't soft, it's rough and unjust and stings like a rose thorn. With the suggestion of Benvolio for Romeo to dance, Romeo doesn't feel comfortable to do anything. I personally think that Romeo is over reacting on such a person who doesn't love him back. OK, so she doesn't love you back? Move on, it may take time but at least try to get your mind off of that idea. This may be harsh but the only way to recover might be to move on and use cupids wings to find someone new.

Shakespeare has included many oxymoron's such as 'Brawling Love,' and 'Loving Hate.' By using oxymorons I am able to understand Romeos point of view of love, since he himself has said these words. Brawling love in my opinion means that love can be harsh at times when you are fighting for the one you care the most about, the one whom you love so much. For Loving Hate, my inference is that love can be triggered towards hating a person because of the actions that happen between the two people. For example in my opinion, Romeo hates Rosaline for not loving him back, but he still loves her and can't focus on anything else. These mixed feelings happen all the time. Love can't always be controlled you know...