Opening Statement:
On one hot Monday afternoon Mercutio and Benvolio were strolling through the streets of Verona. When Benvolio spotted Tybalt, a Capulet and enemy of Mercutio, Benvolio begged his rash friend to retreat, knowing that Mercutio would be itching for a fight with the Capulet. Tybalt approached Benvolio and Mercutio asking for a word with one of them, to which Mercutio replies that he should: “Couple it with . . . a blow” (III.i 41 - 42). This response would represent Mercutio’s actions throughout this interaction. Despite Tybalt’s initially peaceful approach, the reckless and hasty Mercutio escalated the situation to the point of a sword fight. While Tybalt may not have liked Mercutio, Mercutio was the one to draw his sword …show more content…
M - So in other words you gave Mercutio the chance to leave and avoid a violence yet he refused and instead escalated the situation until it turned into a fight?
B - Yes (III.i 52-57)
M - No further questions.
[Cross Examination]
M - The prosecution hereby calls Romeo Montague to the stand. Please describe your relationship with the accused, Mercutio.
B - I am good friends with Mercutio, I would even go as far as to say we are best friends (II).
M - In your opinion what started the fight?
B - I was trying to sort out my issue with Tybalt and Tybalt was very angry. I stayed calm and tried to calm down Tybalt yet, Mercutio saw my calm as fear and attacked Tybalt (III.i 60-78).
M - Was this violence against Tybalt necessary, in your opinion?
B - No, I was trying to avoid violence at all cost yet it appears Mercutio thought that attacking Tybalt was the best way to solve this conflict (III.i 60-93)
M - What did you do once the fight broke out?
B - At first, before the fighting actually started, I told Mercutio to put away his sword, Mercutio ignored me and continued to egg on Tybalt. Then once they started fighting I told Benvolio to draw his sword and help me break up the fight (III.i
On one hot Monday afternoon Mercutio and Benvolio were strolling through the streets of Verona. When Benvolio spotted Tybalt, a Capulet and enemy of Mercutio, Benvolio begged his rash friend to retreat, knowing that Mercutio would be itching for a fight with the Capulet. Tybalt approached Benvolio and Mercutio asking for a word with one of them, to which Mercutio replies that he should: “Couple it with . . . a blow” (III.i 41 - 42). This response would represent Mercutio’s actions throughout this interaction. Despite Tybalt’s initially peaceful approach, the reckless and hasty Mercutio escalated the situation to the point of a sword fight. While Tybalt may not have liked Mercutio, Mercutio was the one to draw his sword …show more content…
M - So in other words you gave Mercutio the chance to leave and avoid a violence yet he refused and instead escalated the situation until it turned into a fight?
B - Yes (III.i 52-57)
M - No further questions.
[Cross Examination]
M - The prosecution hereby calls Romeo Montague to the stand. Please describe your relationship with the accused, Mercutio.
B - I am good friends with Mercutio, I would even go as far as to say we are best friends (II).
M - In your opinion what started the fight?
B - I was trying to sort out my issue with Tybalt and Tybalt was very angry. I stayed calm and tried to calm down Tybalt yet, Mercutio saw my calm as fear and attacked Tybalt (III.i 60-78).
M - Was this violence against Tybalt necessary, in your opinion?
B - No, I was trying to avoid violence at all cost yet it appears Mercutio thought that attacking Tybalt was the best way to solve this conflict (III.i 60-93)
M - What did you do once the fight broke out?
B - At first, before the fighting actually started, I told Mercutio to put away his sword, Mercutio ignored me and continued to egg on Tybalt. Then once they started fighting I told Benvolio to draw his sword and help me break up the fight (III.i