Benvolio and Mercutio are complete opposites. Though they may be antitheses, they are great friends in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. They compliment each other like cookies and milk. For example, Mercutio loves to live in the moment while Benvolio likes to be more logical and apathetic. When Mercutio gets out of hand, Benvolio at least attempts to keep him in check. While Mercutio loves being the center of attention, Benvolio is more than happy to stay out of the limelight. They aren't complete opposites though. One thing they had in common was Romeo. They were his best friends. They played different, but complementary, roles in Romeo’s life. While Benvolio is more understanding and listens to Romeo, Mercutio isn’t
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Although Benvolio uses his logical mind to think ahead, Mercutio tends to live in the moment. One of the most notable examples of this, is in 3.1 where Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt. Benvolio says in the beginning, “We talk here in the public haunt of men./Either withdraw unto some private place,/And reason coldly of your grievances,/Or else depart. /Here all eyes gaze on us” (Shakespeare.3.1.24-27). Benvolio also remembers that the Prince threatened to kill anyone who fought in the streets. Benvolio knows that Mercutio is here on behalf of Romeo, who Tybalt is demanding to fight. Benvolio is thinking ahead and is trying to stop a fight before it even occurs. Mercutio, on the other hand, seems to have forgotten all about the Prince’s threat or is even thinking that the threat does not apply to him because he is a relative to the Prince. He says, “Men’s eyes were made to look and let them gaze./I will not budge for no man’s …show more content…
Benvolio has been there and supported his friends, Romeo and Mercutio, all throughout the play, while on the contrary Mercutio has not. When Romeo was distraught and heartbroken about Rosaline and in need of a friend, Benvolio was there to comfort him. Benvolio is a gentle, sensitive, and empathetic character and always wants the best for his friends. He tries his best to give the best advice he can, even though Benvolio has a shallow and immature perspective on love. He knows that Rosaline’s intent is to remain pure so he tells Romeo to find someone more beautiful. So Benvolio is protecting Romeo's heart by trying to get his mind off an impossible romantic pursuit. Mercutio on the other hand is not as sensitive and especially not empathetic. Mercutio’s view on love is very different from Romeo’s which makes it harder for Mercutio to understand Romeo's tragedy. Mercutio sees love as unnecessary and takes it as a joke. Even with Mercutio’s disadvantage he still doesn't attempt to comfort Romeo. Mercutio instead makes fun of Romeo for being a clueless lover and liking a girl who would remain pure. Though Mercutio may not be a very supportive and empathetic friend he is very entertaining, while Benvolio is quite the
Although Benvolio uses his logical mind to think ahead, Mercutio tends to live in the moment. One of the most notable examples of this, is in 3.1 where Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt. Benvolio says in the beginning, “We talk here in the public haunt of men./Either withdraw unto some private place,/And reason coldly of your grievances,/Or else depart. /Here all eyes gaze on us” (Shakespeare.3.1.24-27). Benvolio also remembers that the Prince threatened to kill anyone who fought in the streets. Benvolio knows that Mercutio is here on behalf of Romeo, who Tybalt is demanding to fight. Benvolio is thinking ahead and is trying to stop a fight before it even occurs. Mercutio, on the other hand, seems to have forgotten all about the Prince’s threat or is even thinking that the threat does not apply to him because he is a relative to the Prince. He says, “Men’s eyes were made to look and let them gaze./I will not budge for no man’s …show more content…
Benvolio has been there and supported his friends, Romeo and Mercutio, all throughout the play, while on the contrary Mercutio has not. When Romeo was distraught and heartbroken about Rosaline and in need of a friend, Benvolio was there to comfort him. Benvolio is a gentle, sensitive, and empathetic character and always wants the best for his friends. He tries his best to give the best advice he can, even though Benvolio has a shallow and immature perspective on love. He knows that Rosaline’s intent is to remain pure so he tells Romeo to find someone more beautiful. So Benvolio is protecting Romeo's heart by trying to get his mind off an impossible romantic pursuit. Mercutio on the other hand is not as sensitive and especially not empathetic. Mercutio’s view on love is very different from Romeo’s which makes it harder for Mercutio to understand Romeo's tragedy. Mercutio sees love as unnecessary and takes it as a joke. Even with Mercutio’s disadvantage he still doesn't attempt to comfort Romeo. Mercutio instead makes fun of Romeo for being a clueless lover and liking a girl who would remain pure. Though Mercutio may not be a very supportive and empathetic friend he is very entertaining, while Benvolio is quite the