Mercutio What do you remember A 02 Whats

Mercutio What do you remember?

A 02 - What’s in a name? mer·cu·ri·al – adjective 1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature. 2. animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted.

L/O: explore Mercutio • Expected progress; create an essay plan for the character. • Above expected progress; read the whole of Act 3. • Keyword; characterisation • Why do you think Shakespeare create the character of Mercutio? Was he trying to achieve a specific purpose?

The six headings- Mercutio • Character- what is the character like? How do they change in the text? • Relationships- examine how they interact with other characters. How do other characters refer to them? • Themes- which themes does the character contribute to and why? • Language- examine their patterns of speech. Does it change? Are they interrupted or do they dominate? • Structure- look at their entrances/exits in the play, stage directions. • Context- what is going on at the time/setting of the text? How is the character relevant and why did the writer include the character?

A question… • Why do you think Shakespeare created the character of Mercutio? Was he trying to achieve a specific purpose?

A question to consider • Could Mercutio’s humour and coarse joking be his ‘visor’? In that case, what is trying to conceal? • Be ready to elaborate on your opinion in five minutes.

Point Evidence Language What this shows about the character of Mercutio? Mercutio is “I will not has no fear budge for no of the feud. man's pleasure, I. ” When he says ‘I will not budge’ it This shows he doesn’t respect or shows his determination to stay. fear the authority of the Prince. When he says “for no man’s pleasure” he is referring to the Prince who has made clear that no more fights must occur. Mercutio is. . . ? The two questions show that This proves Mercutio purposely misunderstands what Tybalt means. Consort has two meanings: friends/ companions or a group of musicians so he tries to twist Tybalt’s words to make it sound like Tybalt is being rude. ”Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels? ”

Point Evidence Mercutio is has “I will not budge no fear of the for no man's feud. pleasure, I. ” Mercutio is quick witted Language When he says ‘I will not budge’ it shows his determination to stay. When he says “for no man’s pleasure” he is referring to the Prince who has made clear that no more fights must occur. ”Consort? What, The two questions show dost thou make us that Mercutio purposely minstrels? ” misunderstands what Tybalt means. Consort has two meanings: friends/ companions or a group of musicians so he tries to twist Tybalt’s words to make it sound What this shows about the character of Mercutio? This shows he doesn’t respect or fear the authority of the Prince. Perhaps, because he is a relation to the Prince, he feels safe from his punishments. Alternatively, he could be so confident in his ability to take on the Capulets that he doesn’t feel the need to run away. This proves Mercutio does this to try to provoke Tybalt because he enjoys arguing and sparring, particularly with Tybalt, who is a Capulet – his enemy. Mercutio seems to find sport in toying with others and causing mischief.

Point Mercutio is. . ? Evidence ”o, calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” Language What this shows about the character of Mercutio? This helps the audience to understand that

Point Mercutio is committed to the feud. Evidence ”o, calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” Language The list of three adjectives used by Mercutio to describe Romeo’s refusal to fight Tybalt are extremely negative. What this shows about the character of Mercutio? This helps the audience to understand that Mercutio believes that Romeo should fight Tybalt for honour, whether he wants to or not. The fact that he refuses makes Mercutio feel disgusted.

Explain the character and purpose of Mercutio. • Mercutio is important in the play – he provides wit, humour and entertainment. Joker, quick witted, provides light entertainment and humour so liked by audience: his death, coming immediately after the wedding changes the atmosphere from positive to negative. • His death results in the death of the humour. This reminds the audience of the tragic events foretold in the prologue • He provides a contrast to Romeo at the start of the play (Look at how they both view love) although witty, it is not empty wit. He views thing objectively. • He has an independent and insightful mind – Queen Mab Speech, caustic comments about Italian duels and fashions. • Examine his treatment of the Nurse (Act 2 scene 4) What is revealed about his character? • However, his intelligence and wit do not prevent him from being killed.

• Shakespeare uses Mercutio in Act 3 scene 1 to contrast Romeo’s unwillingness to fight. • To what extent can Mercutio be blamed for his own death? Look at his mood at the start of Act 3 scene 1. • Is it fair that Mercutio curses Romeo & Tybalt and their families for his death? “A plague o’ both your houses!” • Mercutio had seemed to turn the play almost into comedy at times: it is with his death that we know this is to be a tragedy. • His death has a pivotal role in the play. Mercutio has to die in order for the tragedy to unfold – which is does so now at an alarming pace. • For Romeo, this follows the expectations of an Elizabethan audience and their belief of the wheel of fortune – the abrupt change of fortune of a character as a result of the inevitable turn of the wheel.

Mercutio • A lively, bawdy, imaginative and comic character. • Sometimes linked to the nurse as her male version. Questions to provoke your thinking. • What is his attitude to love? • What is your initial impression of him? • How does he differ to Benvolio? • How does Romeo react to Mercutio? • What themes does he contribute to?

Mercutio ‘Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st Up to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho!’

‘Tut, dun's the mouse, the constable's own word: If thou art dun, we'll draw thee from the mire Of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stick'st Up to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho!’ • What do you think Mercutio meant by ‘save your reverence’? • What is implied by the use of the word ‘mire’ to describe love? • What does this add to the impression created by Benvolio’s use of the words ‘infection’ and ‘poison’ to describe physical attraction in scene 2?

Create a mind map for Mercutio.

Mercutio • Mercutio is the cousin of Prince Escalus and Count Paris, and is a close friend of Romeo and his cousin Benvolio. • Uses his Queen Mab speech to criticise the ideals of society. • All about honour. • A man in love with masks, ‘A visor for a visor. Is he saying that everyone in society is wearing a mask?