There many things that can be said about the concept of true friendship and brotherhood. Quotes such as “never make a companion equal to a brother” and “true love is rare, but friendship is rarer”, depict the idea that these two concepts are infrequent and scarce. The main characters in Shakespeare’s renowned play, Romeo and Juliet, are seen to abide by these two concepts, having laid down their lives for each other, resulting in death and tragedy.
Considering the language used by Shakespeare, I will explore the impact act 1 scene 4 has on the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio. I will further compare the two characters from the original play, with later adaptations of the play. Finally, I will be delving into what can be said as destructive …show more content…
There can be seen to be a more brotherly bond between the two characters. This is illustrated in Act 3 Scene 1 where, Tybalt, the cousin of Juliet Capulet, and his entourage come across with hostility, throwing supercilious remarks towards Mercutio – “thou consort’st with Romeo”. On Romeo’s arrival, Tybalt urges him to “turn and draw”. Mercutio, knowing that Romeo does not want to fight, steps forward, declaring if Romeo will not fight, he will fight in his place. Here, Mercutio is seen to be protective over Romeo, showing concern for his life. As Mercutio and Tybalt proceed to fight, Romeo, surprised at his friends behaviour, throws himself into the brawl, displaying his anguish and grief towards his friend being in danger because if him. In the original play, Mercutio comes to his death by sword for defending Romeo, however in Luhrman’s film adaptation, Mercutio is stabbed in the gut with a broken piece of glass. Though the cause of death differs, Mercutio’s character is still maintained as a humorous, witty, fast-talking individual, as both the film adaptation and original play have Mercutio’s character say “ask for me tomorrow and I shall be a grave man”. PUN He can be seen here to soften the blow of his coming death, as Romeo begins to cry in grief. His concern for Romeo’s feelings far outweigh his concern for his
Considering the language used by Shakespeare, I will explore the impact act 1 scene 4 has on the relationship between Romeo and Mercutio. I will further compare the two characters from the original play, with later adaptations of the play. Finally, I will be delving into what can be said as destructive …show more content…
There can be seen to be a more brotherly bond between the two characters. This is illustrated in Act 3 Scene 1 where, Tybalt, the cousin of Juliet Capulet, and his entourage come across with hostility, throwing supercilious remarks towards Mercutio – “thou consort’st with Romeo”. On Romeo’s arrival, Tybalt urges him to “turn and draw”. Mercutio, knowing that Romeo does not want to fight, steps forward, declaring if Romeo will not fight, he will fight in his place. Here, Mercutio is seen to be protective over Romeo, showing concern for his life. As Mercutio and Tybalt proceed to fight, Romeo, surprised at his friends behaviour, throws himself into the brawl, displaying his anguish and grief towards his friend being in danger because if him. In the original play, Mercutio comes to his death by sword for defending Romeo, however in Luhrman’s film adaptation, Mercutio is stabbed in the gut with a broken piece of glass. Though the cause of death differs, Mercutio’s character is still maintained as a humorous, witty, fast-talking individual, as both the film adaptation and original play have Mercutio’s character say “ask for me tomorrow and I shall be a grave man”. PUN He can be seen here to soften the blow of his coming death, as Romeo begins to cry in grief. His concern for Romeo’s feelings far outweigh his concern for his