How can one forget Romeo and Juliet, the most beautiful love story of all time! What a crime, that sentence is, for their story is written not of love but of lust, and in turn, layer upon layer of grief. Not to worry, for to everyone's relief, there is much more that may be taken away from the play than sorrow. The story revolves around sacrifices, and the consequences of those sacrifices. Why were those sacrifices made? For lust? For personal glory? While those are all things that sacrifices are made for, the most noble of sacrifices are made for values, love of one's family, and for honor. Few represent these values better than Mercutio.
Outside the Montague/Capulet family feud is a man with his own set of convictions, outside the families’ borders of blood. Mercutio’s wit is as quick as his sword; he is never deterred in his efforts to raise Romeo's spirits through puns and wordplay. Romeo Montague, who is first seen mourning the unrequited love of Rosaline Capulet, is unwilling to be cheered. Mercutio, instead of giving up on his best friend, continues to joke and make merry, advising …show more content…
Benvolio warns that the street is not the place for fighting, for the Prince's decree states that those who disturb the peace are to be punished by death. Mercutio, unwilling to back down and bent on defending Romeo's honor no matter the cost, exchanges incivilities with Tybalt on his friend's behalf. Romeo himself, however, shares not these sentiments of honor; Mercutio is taken aback by Romeo's calm, amicable response to Tybalt's challenge, calling it "a dishonorable and vile submission." He then challenges Tybalt to duel him instead, well aware of his opponent's strength and the risks that come with the duel. If Tybalt doesn't kill him, he will face the death penalty for disturbing public peace. He cares not; what is important right now is honor, especially that of his best friend, so he fights for
Outside the Montague/Capulet family feud is a man with his own set of convictions, outside the families’ borders of blood. Mercutio’s wit is as quick as his sword; he is never deterred in his efforts to raise Romeo's spirits through puns and wordplay. Romeo Montague, who is first seen mourning the unrequited love of Rosaline Capulet, is unwilling to be cheered. Mercutio, instead of giving up on his best friend, continues to joke and make merry, advising …show more content…
Benvolio warns that the street is not the place for fighting, for the Prince's decree states that those who disturb the peace are to be punished by death. Mercutio, unwilling to back down and bent on defending Romeo's honor no matter the cost, exchanges incivilities with Tybalt on his friend's behalf. Romeo himself, however, shares not these sentiments of honor; Mercutio is taken aback by Romeo's calm, amicable response to Tybalt's challenge, calling it "a dishonorable and vile submission." He then challenges Tybalt to duel him instead, well aware of his opponent's strength and the risks that come with the duel. If Tybalt doesn't kill him, he will face the death penalty for disturbing public peace. He cares not; what is important right now is honor, especially that of his best friend, so he fights for