Act V

I am Mercutio, a valuable friend to that of Romeo and a proud fighter for the Montague family! Were it not for me, how else would Romeo have moved on from that wench called Rosaline? Would he have gone to the party and met the fair lady Juliet without I? I am glad for the good I have done, but I am ashamed by the harm I have caused.

            The burning hatred between the houses of Capulet and Montague was, as always, fueled by the actions of men. I do not claim to be a martyr, for the true martyrs in Verona’s story are Romeo and Juliet, however I played no small part in the conclusion of the feud. As I died I remember saying in anger “A plague of both your houses! They have made worm’s meat of me. I have it, and soundly too. Your houses!” In truth though, my real murderer was the feud itself, and if not the feud, then it was I. Benvolio told me that picking a fight with Tybalt was a terrible idea, or that I should go were the crowds wouldn’t gather, but I told him “Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze. I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.”

            Were I not a citizen of Verona, perhaps the duration of the feud would have been longer, but I ultimately think it was destined to end. Were it not I that died, It would have been another Montague, or another Capulet. For the feud was not exclusive to Tybalt and I.

Act IV

Interviewer:

            What was it like to be murdered at the hand of Tybalt?

Mercutio:

            There hath not been but a single day of which I have given it no thought. I know not of anyone else who has died a death so undeserving. I wish not to speak more of that untimely event, for it distresses me so.

Interviewer:

            My apologies, I did not mean to intrude. If I may ask, what are your sentiments towards the death of Tybalt?

Mercutio:

            You may. I am content that he ceases to exist, however I do not find the consequences on Romeo’s behalf to be worth the toil for there is nothing that can undo what hath been done.

Interviewer:

            Do you take Romeo’s exile upon yourself?

Mercutio:

            The thought has dwelled in my mind and I do understand the weight of the situation, however it was his hand that hath slain Tybalt, not my own. Although unfortunate, I cannot be held accountable for his actions. I wish upon him good fortune.

Interviewer:

            Out of speculation, should it have been yourself and not Romeo, would you have avenged your dear friend?

Mercutio:

            I would have made haste and done the deed without hesitation. Should I have been exiled, I would have left behind Verona walls, as I advise Romeo to do.

Interviewer:

             As you know, Juliet Capulet is now in the beyond with you, do you think her death has anything to do with that of her cousin Tybalt’s?

Mercutio:

            No I do not believe that. Although I am certain that she was very distressed over his death, I do not believe that it was tragic enough for her to claim her life.

Act III

My disgust with the cowardly Tybalt is unlike that of any other. I was slain when he wounded me under dear Romeo’s arm. Romeo, bless his peaceful soul, only put himself between The Prince of Cats and I to try and stop our quarrel. May all of Verona now know how dishonorable he is!

            But it seems dear karma did catch up, for his soul followed mine out of this world and into the next. Romeo ran his blade through him in a duel shortly afterwards. Hah! I hope he suffered! Now Romeo has been sentenced to exile, and I must ask for his forgiveness. My regret and remorse for starting the outbreak far outweighs my disgust for Tybalt, who even went as far as to tell Romeo “Thou art a villain”. You fill me with anger, for you do not taunt, you insult!

            I should have listened when Benvolio told me to withdraw unto some private place and reason coldly of my grievances. Neither Tybalt nor I would have died, and Romeo’s hands would not be tainted with blood. My regret for my own vanity goes unmatched.

My thanks to your friendliness go a little further, for I also had ears after death, and I heard what you said to Romeo. You told him my gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, and I am thankful you for being such a good friend to Romeo and I. You protected me against my own hot head many times.

Romeo, listen to me, for I see all things now. Your love for Juliet is strong, but you would be an idiot not to see the precariousness of the situation at hand! Not only art thou banished, but thou art a Montague too! There are lands out there better than Verona, and maids as beautiful as Juliet. I fear that you are walking into your own grave.

Act 2

The slip. Is this my reward for helping a friend who’s down? After the party, dear Romeo was nowhere to be found. I see no reason for his abandonment. Perhaps he had run off to cry over Rosaline; yet the very next morning, he did walk with his head held high. So happy was he that one would think that he was simply full of youth. They would not know of what he was like but a single day ago. They would not see his noble friends help him find love again by taking him to the party of the Capulets.

            So I confronted him. It was early in the day, and I told him of his misdeed. Romeo danced around the subject, cleverly avoiding telling me of what his ‘great business’ was. O Romeo, whilst thy head return to our earth? How long must we endure your jumping emotions? Before I could hear more of Romeo’s excuse, we were interrupted by the Nurse, who we had no trouble seeing from far away. She pulled her mass over to us and asked to speak to Romeo in privacy. Then dear Romeo gave us the slip once more! I assure you when I see him next I will force him to tell me why! Poor Benvolio and I deserve this not! I care not what Romeo is doing or who he loves. I care that he slips through our fingers again and again. O, Romeo, a simple apology would suffice.

Act 1

Poor Romeo, the lady Rosaline loves him not, and he says he can love no other. His heart was broke and he can hardly stand. I couldn’t bear to see a friend so down. Benvolio and I needed to lead his eyes to another girl, and show him love can be found.  To show him that he need not dream to find a wondrous girl, for dreams are the children of an idle brain. I know much of dreams, and their cruel lies. I’ve known Romeo for a long time, and I know he deserves a true love.

 As it so happens we knew of a party, a Capulet gathering, where poor Romeo could laugh and dance his troubles away. Laughter is good for the damaged heart you see. The dance would be full of girls, no doubt, and maybe even a new Rosaline. I hope she will be a nice lady; I truly do, for I hear the last Rosaline was a witch, yet poor Romeo fell right into her trap and couldn’t escape. Love was tough on his tender soul, ‘tis a shame he never saw it. If I asked him right now, he might say she’s an angel. O how love doth blind the lovers to the ugly truth. Love is rough and cruel to those who fall back with ease. We went tonight, though the three of us are but Montagues, and got in with no trouble. Now the party is over and when next I see Romeo, I shall expect a smile on his face and a glow in his heart.

                                                            -Mercutio