Act 2 Scene 4

Question 1

‘Ah, that same pale hard-hearted wench, that Rosaline torments him so…’

Answer 1

Mercutio continues to speak poorly of Rosaline, going as far as to issue explicit insults as he refers to her as a ‘pale-hearted wench.’
• He believes that Rosaline is wholly at fault for Romeo’s melancholy which is indicative of the strong patriarchal influence at the time which positioned men as blameless regardless of the situation.

Question 2

‘Any man that can write may answer a letter.’

Answer 2

Upon hearing of Tybalt’s letter to Romeo, Mercutio is quick to involve himself in this development
demonstrating how changeable he can be in response to any given stimulus. He almost instantly wishes to
respond to Tybalt’s invitation by claiming that any individual should be permitted to undertake such a
request to dual.

Question 3

‘More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is
the courageous captain of compliments.’

Answer 3

Reference to Prince of Cats is an allusion to a popular story of the time. Mercutio seeks to mock Tybalt by
acknowledging his sleek yet violent nature. He regards Tybalt as the ‘courageous captain of compliments’ to
bring attention to his lack of faith in Tybalt’s ability to fight.

Question 4

‘Without his roe, like a dried herring: flesh, flesh,
how art thou fishified!

Answer 4

Mercutio continues to employ bawdy language when questioning where Romeo has been. He heavily hints
at Romeo’s sexual encounters with women – an approach which Renaissance audiences are likely to have
considered as humorous.
Mercutio places a strong emphasis on sex over any prospect of love, which would indicate traits of toxic
masculinity as identified by contemporary audience members.

Question 5

‘A sail, a sail!’

Answer 5

Mercutio uses this term to address the Nurse as she enters the scene. The use of the term ‘sail’ links to that
of a ship which allows Mercutio to comment on the physical size of the Nurse as she approaches them.
This reference may well have provided an element of comic relief however contemporary audiences may
consider this as more evidence of Mercutio’s lack of respect towards women.

Question 6

‘Tis no less, I tell you, for the bawdy hand of the dial is now upon the prick of noon.’

Answer 6

Even in the presence of the Nurse, Mercutio continues to make highly suggestive comments showing his
disregard for women. Perhaps, given the Nurse’s lower social status, he feels that such bawdy language is
appropriate.