Romeo And Juliet - Mercutio Quotes Flashcards
“Prick love for pricking”
Mercutio yet again shows his characters playful and light hearted personality by acting as the source of laughter and light to Romeo’s ‘soul of lead’.
His character is used to ease tension in the play.
“purblind som and heir, Young Abraham Cupid”
Mercutio is reciting a speech in order to try and lure Romeo out after having leaving the party.
theme of love is very strong in this scene as by Mercutio using love in his speech links to the overall feeling of love Romeo is enduring.
Reference to Greek mythology: Cupid again is mentioned multiple times, perhaps hinting how Romeo had been struck by his bow to immediately fall in love with Juliet.
“That dreamers often lie” Act 1:4
Romeo and Mercutio are in tune with each other which we can see through their divided lines and wittiness however he is one who actually states that Romeo’s love for Rosaline is insincere and mocks him for that.
“O then I see Queen Mab has been with you, she is the fairies’ midwife “Act 1:4
Mercutio shows off his clever way with words in the Queen Mab speech.
In the Elizabethan era, “queans” and “mabs” were prostitutes, yet he cleverly intertwines them with the childish fun of fairies to show a darker side of humanity.
“Over men’s noses as they lie asleep” Act 1:4
Sleep paralysis was often explained in Elizabethan society as having a demon sitting on your chest.
“when maids lie on their backs” Act 1:4
He regards love as very physical, and is much like the nurse in that way. Also, in act 1:2 there are references to Juliet lying on her back which almost seems ironic that Mercutio repeats the image.
“Where the devil should this Romeo be?” Act 2:4
We see his more loyal side to Romeo coming through- he is annoyed that he doesn’t know where he is and yet they are close friends.
“that same pale-hearted wench, that Rosaline” Act 2:4
We almost feel sympathetic towards Mercutio here because he still assumes Romeo is infatuated with Rosaline, and there is dramatic irony because we know he has met Juliet. As a best friend, it is sad that he does not know this.
“Alas poor Romeo, he is already dead” Act 2:4
Mercutio says Romeo is as good as dead by being so weakened by love for Rosaline. He is the only character to talk of Rosaline in such a way, perhaps as he feels he is losing his best friend to her.
“Farewell ancient lady, farewell” Act 2:4
We see the gender discrimination here, but this would not be unique to Mercutio. He mocks the nurse to be someone in charge of prostitutes and calls her ‘ancient’ without even knowing her - this makes us less compassionate for him as a contemporary audience.
“make it a word and a blow” Act 3:1
“I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I”
Mercutio is behaving hypocritically- after just teasing Benvolio about acting aggressively, he now is determined to annoy Tybalt.
He is a man of excess and sometimes takes things way too far.
“O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” Act 3:1
Mercutio is incensed at Romeo’s apparent cowardice to the challenges of Tybalt because in Elizabethan society, masculine honour was of most importance. As a result, Mercutio remains loyal and takes his place in the duel.
“A scratch, a scratch” Act 3:1
“‘tis not so deep as a well”
Mercutio shows humour even in death which confirms his comic character, mocking his fatal wound.
“A plague on both your houses, I am sped” Act 3:1
Mercutio dies blaming the feud, calling it a plague suggesting he thinks it is a disease in Verona that has made him a victim. We see fate’s control here because it was a plague on the way to Mantua that meant the letter could not be delivered to Romeo by Friar John. This repetition of plagues shows the intensity of the feud and the damage it has done.
