Ignorance. Cockiness. Usually these are not characteristics of desirable, cunning, and charming men. But in the Renaissance they were. In Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet all of these characteristics are wrapped into one man. Mercutio. Mercutio was very much liked by the people of Verona then, but today it would be a different story.
He was a bold leader and a persuasive talker. In Romeo and Juliet Mercutio is the most dynamic character. First of all, Mercutio is a good talker. In the very first words Mercutio says, he is able to convince Romeo into crashing the Capulet party when he said, Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you dance an unthinkable thing to do for he was a Montague. Then he said, You are a lover. Borrow Cupids wings and soar with them above a common bound.
It showed his ability to persuade and convince. Also, he was able to force Romeo into looking at other girls. This was important to the whole story because if Mercutio could not convince him into going in there the story would end before it started. Equally, he later makes a fool of Tybalt before they are ready to fight by saying, And but one word with one of us? Couple it with something; make it a word and a blow. Mercutio knew how to get out of things by talking. Furthermore, Mercutio was a humorous man. In his first scene he makes fun of Romeo and his love for Rosaline.
He says, of this sir-reverence love, wherein thou stickest upon to the ears. Come, we burn daylight, ho! He was being facetious. He also makes fun of Romeos love life by telling the story of Queen Mab. Later, he again looks down upon Romeo for his interest in who he thinks is Rosaline when he says, This cannot 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. Again, Mercutio denounces Romeo in saying, Alas, poor Romeo, he is already dead: stabbed with a white wenchs black eye; In addition, Mercutio pokes fun at him when he asks why Romeo did not show up the night before. He says, Nay, if our wits run the wild-goose chase and Romeo says, Thou wast never with me for anything when thou wast no there for the goose? and Mercutio replies, I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.
He said he called Romeo a woman and Romeo denied it so Mercutio said he was insulted. Also, he gets off of Romeos back and decides to poke fun at Tybalt when Tybalt says, Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo and Mercutio says, Consort? What dost thou make us minstrels? He pretended to take it as consort meaning minstrel not the meaning Tybalt intended. Finally, Mercutio makes fun of the nurse after they talk to Romeo about hiding. He starts taunting her and sings, Lady, lady, lady. Everyone walks around her and makes fun of her. Last, Mercutio was confident.
The biggest example of Mercutios confidence was in the streets of Verona right before he met Tybalt. At one point he is making fun of him when Tybalt could easily draw his sword and strike Mercutio. Later, Tybalt said, Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man. Then Mercutio comes back with the reply of, But Ill be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery. Marry, go before to field, hell be your follower! Your worship in that sense may call him man. He then calls Tybalt out to fight and they do so.
But, Romeo intervenes and in doing so allowed Tybalt to get a thrust in and then flee. Mercutio was very gallant. And so for the finally Mercutio is the most dynamic character in Romeo and Juliet. He showed all kinds of emotions and traits. He showed a side of humor and fun that is not found in any other character. Also, he showed his way with words was very effective for whatever he was trying to accomplish.
Finally, Mercutio showed a level of bravery not found in many people but also had some fun and was very persuasive. Mercutio was the most impacting character of Romeo and Juliet and without him, in my opinion, the story would not be as entertaining for a well represented economy of people in a theatre setting..