MERCUTIO TO BLAME

ELA

11/23

TIMOTHY SCHOECH

In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, two star-crossed lovers meet
doom due to the actions of one man: Mercutio. His constant prodding of Romeo about a previous
love, convincing Romeo to go to stay and dance at the Capulets ball, and his fight with Tybalt
all results in this tragedy.
First of all, Mercutio convinces Romeo to stay and dance at the Capulets ball. Nay,
gentle Romeo, we must have you dance. (I.iv.23) Mercutio states to Romeo in order to push him
into staying. Mercutio, as Romeos best friend, pressures Romeo to stay when he doesnt really
want to resulting in Romeo and Juliet meeting for the first time. What lady is that which doth
enrich the hand/ Of yonder knight? (I.v.40-41) Romeo questions after seeing Juliet at first.
Romeo questions in this quote what he truly is seeing. He feels a new love, but without
Mercutios initial push, Romeo would never have seen Juliet in the first place.
Secondly, Mercutio continually pokes fun at Romeos old love of Rosaline. A clear
example of him doing this is depicted here: This would not anger him.'Twould anger him/ To
raise a spirit in his mistress' circle/ Of some strange nature, letting it there stand/ Till she had laid
it and conjured it down./ That were some spite. My invocation/ Is fair and honest. In his mistress'
name/ I conjure only but to raise up him. (II.i.23-29) Fundamentally, Mercutio is poking fun at
Romeo's love for Rosaline by ironically stating all of Romeos love was true; however, Romeo
reacts negatively, saying He jests at scars that never felt a wound. (II.ii.1) Romeo basically
states that Mercutio is trying to make fun out of turmoil when no turmoil exists. Mercutios
words, despite seeming meaningless, aid in pushing Romeo further into Juliet as Romeo refuses
Mercutio's words as true almost like he's trying to prove himself. This is clearly seen by Romeo's
comment about scars that never felt a wound.

Finally, Mercutio becomes the cause of this tragedy by doing the one thing the prince
forbids in the beginning: fighting with a Capulet. Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels?
An/ thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but/ discords. Heres my fiddlestick. Heres
that shall/ make you dance. Zounds, consort! (III.i.20-24) Mercutio says threatening Tybalt.
Mercutio clearly is attempting to instigate a fight, which will lead to his doom. Because of
Mercutios stupidity, Romeo seeks vengeance and slays Tybalt only to realize what he's done
after the killing ended saying Oh, I am fortunes fool! (III.i.98) Romeo fundamentally states
that his fortune will bring his doom which it later does when a large chain of events lead to
Romeo and Juliet dying over each other.
Mercutio truly is the culprit in this heinous crime. His taunting Romeo, his shove for
Romeo to stay at the Capulets ball, and his fight with Tybalt all string him up as the cause of the
tragedy. No other being could possibly be responsible for the tragedy which William
Shakespeare put into action.