Mercutio - wikipedia Mercutio Mercutio Romeo and Juliet character Romeo and Juliet Act III Scene I The Death of Romeo 's Friend, Mercutio. Edwin Austin Abbey, 1904. Created by William Shakespeare Information Family Valentine ( brother ), the Prince, and Count Paris Associate ( s ) Romeo, Benvolio Mercutio ( / mərˈkjuːʃioʊ / mər - KEW - shee - oh ) is a fictional character in William Shakespeare 's 1597 tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. He is a close friend to Romeo and a blood relative to Prince Escalus and Count Paris. As such, being neither a Montague nor a Capulet, Mercutio is one of the few in Verona with the ability to mingle around those of both houses. The invitation to Capulet 's party states that he has a brother named Valentine. Though often fun - loving and witty, the latter demonstrated in his Queen Mab speech in the first act, Mercutio 's sense of humor can at times be facetious or even coarse, much to his friends ' annoyance. Moreover, he is moody and given to sudden outbursts of temper, one of which sets a key plot development in motion. Contents 1 Role in the play 2 Name origins 3 Mercutio 's death 4 Performers 4.1 Stage 4.2 Film 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Role in the play One of Romeo 's closest friends, Mercutio, entreats Romeo to forget about his unrequited love for a girl named Rosaline and come with him to a masquerade ball at Lord Capulet 's estate, through use of his Queen Mab speech. There, Mercutio and his friends become the life of the party, but Romeo steals away to Juliet, Capulet 's daughter, with whom he has fallen in love, and he falls out of love with Rosaline. When Mercutio sees Romeo the next day, he is glad to see that his friend is his old self again, and he encourages Romeo, all the while making bawdy jokes at the expense of Juliet 's Nurse. After Romeo receives a death threat from Juliet 's cousin Tybalt, Mercutio expects Romeo to engage Tybalt in a duel. However, Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt, because Romeo now considers Tybalt to be kin due to his secret marriage to Juliet. Mercutio is incensed at his friend 's `` calm, dishonorable, vile submission '', and decides to fight Tybalt himself, right before which, Mercutio refers to his sword as his `` fiddlestick. '' Romeo, not wanting his friend or his relative to get hurt, attempts to intervene. He fails, however, as Mercutio gets stabbed under Romeo 's arm and dies. Before he dies, Mercutio curses both the Montagues and Capulets, crying several times, `` A plague o ' both your houses ! '' ( Act III, Sc. 1, often quoted as `` A pox on both your houses '' ). He makes one final pun before he dies : `` Ask for me to - morrow, and you shall find me a grave man. '' A grief - stricken and enraged Romeo kills Tybalt, resulting in his banishment from Verona and beginning the tragic turn of events that make up the rest of the play. Name origins The name Mercutio was present in Shakespeare 's sources for Romeo and Juliet, though his character was not well developed and he was presented as a romantic rival for Juliet. The name is first used in Luigi Da Porto 's 1530 `` Giulietta e Romeo ''. Da Porto briefly introduces a character named Marcuccio Guertio, a noble youth `` with very cold hands, in July as in January '', who makes Giulietta Cappelletti appreciate the warm hands of Romeo Montecchi. Mercutio 's death Earlier versions of the story described a different chain of events leading to Tybalt 's death, omitting Mercutio completely. Arthur Brooke 's The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet and William Painter 's 1567 versions of the story both left the entire episode solely to Romeo and Tybalt. In both stories, Tybaltio attacks the pacifist Romeo with such force that Romeo is forced to take up the sword to defend himself. He is then banished rather than executed because the killing was provoked. In 1672, English poet John Dryden wrote, `` Shakespeare show 'd the best of his skill in his Mercutio, and he said himself, that he was forced to murder him in the third Act, to being killed by him. '' The addition of Mercutio into the fray increases the tension, and Tybalt is seen as a slightly more peaceful character than in previous versions, as Mercutio is disgusted by the fact that Tybalt continues to search for a quarrel with Romeo, when Romeo is trying to bring peace between them. Mercutio hurls insults and taunts at Tybalt, and draws the sword first, in reaction to Tybalt 's insults, which are directed to Romeo. Mercutio 's death in Act III, scene I is the pivotal point of the play, which up to this point is relatively light - hearted. Mercutio 's death is sudden and makes death a dark reality for several characters, causing a domino effect of tragic fate that leads ultimately to the tragic climax. Performers A number of famous actors have played the role of Mercutio. A small sampling follows. Stage Orson Welles performed the role of Mercutio in repertory during the 36 - week US tour of the Katharine Cornell company ( 1933 -- 34 ) In 1933 -- 34, Orson Welles played the role of Mercutio in the Katharine Cornell company 's seven - month nationwide tour In 1935, Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud alternated the roles of Romeo and Mercutio in a London stage production directed by Gielgud. In 1945, Ralph Richardson made his Broadway debut as Mercutio opposite the Romeo of Maurice Evans and the Juliet of Katharine Cornell. In 1947, Paul Scofield played Mercutio in a production directed by Peter Brook. In 1958, Alec McCowen enjoyed a major success as Mercutio in London. In 2006, Benjamin Walker portrayed Mercutio during the Williamstown Theater Festival with Emmy Rossum as Juliet and Greg Hildreth as Benvolio. Mickey Calin portrayed Riff Lorton, the Mercutio and Lord Montague character, in the stage musical of West Side Story. In 2013, Luca Giacomelli Ferrarini played Mercutio in the stage musical of the Italian production `` Romeo e Giulietta - Ama e cambia il mondo '', directed by Giuliano Peparini. In 2017, Eli Wilcox played Mercutio in the hit play, Romeo and Juliet, directed by Robert McDunnough & starring Christopher Ely as Romeo and Zachary Pringel as Juliet. Film In 1936, John Barrymore portrayed Mercutio in George Cukor 's film Romeo and Juliet opposite Leslie Howard as Romeo. In 1961, Russ Tamblyn played the Mercutio character, Riff Lorton, in the film adaptation of West Side Story, the musical modernised version of Romeo and Juliet. In 1968, John McEnery portrayed Mercutio in Franco Zeffirelli 's film Romeo and Juliet. In 1976, Robin Nedwell played Mercutio in the Thames Television production directed by Joan Kemp - Welch, with Christopher Neame as Romeo and Ann Hasson as Juliet. In 1996, Harold Perrineau Jr. portrayed Mercutio in Baz Luhrmann 's modernised version, William Shakespeare 's Romeo + Juliet. In 1998, Ben Affleck portrayed actor Edward Alleyn in the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love. In the film, Alleyn serves as history 's first Mercutio. In 2007, Tetsuya Kakihara and Christopher Bevins voice Mercutio in the anime series Romeo x Juliet. In 2011, Hale Appleman portrayed Mercutio in Alan Brown 's Private Romeo, a modern - day adaptation set at an all - male military academy. In 2013, Christian Cooke played Mercutio in the film adaption directed by Carlo Carlei, starring Douglas Booth as Romeo and Hailee Steinfeld as Juliet. In 2013, Ricky McLennan played Mercutio in the film adaption `` Romeo and Juliet : A Love Song '', directed by Tim Van Dammen, starring Christopher Landon as Romeo and Derya Parlak as Juliet. See also William Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Complete list of Shakespearean characters References Jump up ^ Merriam - Webster 's Encyclopedia of Literature. Springfield, Massachusetts : Merriam Webster, Incorporated. 1995. p. 753. ISBN 978 - 0 - 87779 - 042 - 6. ( The pronunciation mər - ˈkyü - shē - ō was transcribed to IPA per Pronunciation respelling for English. ) Jump up ^ Draper, John W. ( 1939 ). `` Shakespeare 's ' Star - Crossed Lovers ' ''. The Review of English Studies. 15 ( 57 ) : 16 -- 34. JSTOR 509718. Jump up ^ Harold Bloom, Introduction to Romeo and Juliet, Chelsea House Publishers, 2005, p. 15 Jump up ^ Geoffrey Bullough, Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare : Early Comedies, Poems, Romeo and Juliet, Routledge and Kegan Paul Lt, London, 1957, p. 270 Jump up ^ Scott, Mark W. ; Schoenbaum, S. ( 1987 ). Shakespearean Criticism. 5. Detroit : Gale Research Inc. p. 415. ISBN 0 - 8103 - 6129 - 9. Jump up ^ Maxwell, Jennifer. The Catalytic Function of Mercutio. Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. ( doc ) Jump up ^ HERself External links Complete listing of all of Mercutio 's lines Mercutio Character Analysis William Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet Characters Romeo Juliet Mercutio Tybalt Benvolio Friar Laurence Nurse Paris Rosaline Queen Mab Atomy Sources The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet Pyramus and Thisbe Palace of Pleasure Troilus and Criseyde Ballets Romeo and Juliet ( 1938, Prokofiev ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1962, Cranko ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1965, MacMillan ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1977, Nureyev ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1965, Lavery ) Radio and Juliet ( 2005 ) Romeo + Juliet ( 2007, Martins ) Romeo and Juliet ( 2008, Pastor ) Operas Romeo und Julie ( 1776, Benda ) Giulietta e Romeo ( 1796, Zingarelli ) Giulietta e Romeo ( 1825, Vaccai ) I Capuleti ei Montecchi ( 1830, Bellini ) Gloria ( 1874, Cilea ) Roméo et Juliette ( 1867, Gounod ) A Village Romeo and Juliet ( 1907, Delius ) Romeo und Julia ( 1940, Sutermeister ) Musicals The Belle of Mayfair ( 1906 ) West Side Story ( 1957 ) Once on This Island ( 1990 ) Roméo et Juliette, de la Haine à l'Amour ( 2001 ) Giulietta e Romeo ( 2007 ) Classical Beethoven 's String Quartet No. 1 ( c. 1800 ) Roméo et Juliette ( 1839, Berlioz ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1870, Tchaikovsky ) On screen 1900 1908 1916 Metro Pictures 1916 Fox 1936 1953 1954 1955 1964 1968 1978 ( TV ) 1992 ( TV ) 2006 2007 2013 Film adaptations English Beneath the 12 - Mile Reef ( 1953 ) Romanoff and Juliet ( 1961 ) West Side Story ( 1961 ) Gonks Go Beat ( 1965 ) Lonesome Cowboys ( 1968 ) Romie - 0 and Julie - 8 ( TV ; 1979 ) The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet ( 1982 ) Valley Girl ( 1983 ) Bullies ( 1986 ) China Girl ( 1987 ) Romeo. Juliet ( 1990 ) Tromeo and Juliet ( 1996 ) Love Is All There Is ( 1996 ) Rose by Any Other Name... ( 1997 ) The Lion King II : Simba 's Pride ( 1998 ) Shakespeare in Love ( 1998 ) The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns ( 1999 ) Romeo Must Die ( 2000 ) Brooklyn Babylon ( 2001 ) Pizza My Heart ( TV ; 2005 ) West Bank Story ( 2005 ) Life and Lyrics ( 2006 ) Romeo & Juliet : Sealed with a Kiss ( 2006 ) Rome & Jewel ( 2006 ) David & Fatima ( 2008 ) The Cross Road ( 2008 ) Vicious Circle ( 2008 ) Gnomeo & Juliet ( 2011 ) Private Romeo ( 2011 ) Warm Bodies ( 2013 ) Make Your Move ( 2013 ) Romeo & Juliet ( 2013 ) Hindi Ek Duuje Ke Liye ( 1981 ) Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak ( 1988 ) Saudagar ( 1991 ) Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein ( 2002 ) Bollywood Queen ( 2002 ) Ishaqzaade ( 2012 ) Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram - Leela ( 2013 ) Issaq ( 2013 ) Telugu Maro Charitra ( 1978 ) Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi ( 1996 ) Kalisundam Raa ( 2000 ) Maro Charitra ( 2010 ) Spanish Romeo and Juliet ( 1940 ) Los Tarantos ( 1963 ) 30 : e november ( Swedish / Spanish 1995 ) Amar te duele ( 2002 ) Italian Fury of Johnny Kid ( 1967 ) Ma che musica maestro ( 1971 ) Portuguese Mônica e Cebolinha : No Mundo de Romeu e Julieta ( 1979 ) O Casamento de Romeu e Julieta ( 2005 ) Other Ambikapathy ( Tamil 1937 ) Les amants de Vérone ( French 1949 ) Romeo, Juliet and Darkness ( Czech 1960 ) The Phantom Lover ( Mandarin 1995 ) Chicken Rice War ( Cantonese / English 2000 ) Ondagona Baa ( Kannada 2003 ) Mamay ( Ukrainian 2003 ) The District ! ( Hungarian 2004 ) In Fair Palestine : A Story of Romeo and Juliet ( 2006 ) The Bubble ( Hebrew / Arabic 2006 ) Priyatama ( Marathi 2014 ) Arshinagar ( Bengali 2015 ) Eeda ( Malayalam 2017 ) The Sea Prince and the Fire Child ( Japanese 1981 ) TV series Sons and Daughters ( 1982 ) Family and Friends ( 1990 ) Villa Quintana ( 1995 ) Yo amo a Paquita Gallego ( 1998 ) Skin ( 2003 ) A Touch Away ( 2006 ) Dangerous ( 2007 ) Romeo × Juliet ( 2007 ) Romeo y Julieta ( 2007 ) Saints & Sinners ( 2007 ) Harina de otro costal ( 2010 ) Villa Quintana ( 2013 ) Westside ( 2013 pilot ) Star - Crossed ( 2014 ) Still Star - Crossed ( 2017 ) Plays Romanoff and Juliet ( 1956 ) Romeo and Juliet ( 2013 ) Songs Lan và Điệp ( 1930s ) `` Montagues and Capulets '' ( 1935 ) `` Fever '' ( 1956 ) Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet ( 1968 ) `` ( Do n't Fear ) The Reaper '' ( 1976 ) `` Angelo '' ( 1978 ) `` Romeo and Juliet '' ( 1978 ) `` Romeo and Juliet '' ( 1981 ) `` Cherish '' ( 1989 ) `` Amor Prohibido '' ( 1994 ) `` Kissing You '' ( 1996 ) `` Exit Music '' ( 1997 ) `` Romeo and Juliet '' ( 1998 ) `` Starcrossed '' ( 2004 ) `` Peut - être toi '' ( 2006 ) `` Mademoiselle Juliette '' ( 2007 ) `` Love Story '' ( 2008 ) `` Love Me Again '' `` Laal Ishq '' `` Mor Bani Thanghat Kare '' `` Nagada Sang Dhol '' `` Ram Chahe Leela '' ( 2013 ) Albums Romeo and Juliet ( 1968 ) Romeo + Juliet ( 1996 ) Romeo & Julia ( 2006 ) Tragic Lovers ( 2008 ) Literature Les Chouans The Wandering Jew ( 1844 ) The Stolen Dormouse ( 1941 ) The Faraway Lurs ( 1963 ) Romiette and Julio ( 2001 ) New Moon ( 2006 ) Warm Bodies ( 2010 ) Art Romeo and Juliet : the Tomb Scene ( 1790 ) Romeo and Juliet ( 1978 ) Phrases `` Star - crossed '' `` A rose by any other name would smell as sweet '' Story within a story Nicholas Nickleby 1912 film 1947 film 1980 play 2001 film 2002 film The Picture of Dorian Gray 1910 film 1913 film 1915 film 1916 film 1917 film 1918 film 1945 film 1976 TV special 2009 film Harlequinade W Juliet `` Nothing Broken but My Heart '' Panic Button Bare : A Pop Opera `` '' Into the Light '' Bolji život The Sky Is Everywhere Pay as You Exit The White Mercedes She Died a Lady `` Moonshine River '' Rendez - vous Fame `` I Am Unicorn '' The Frog Prince Molly Smart Girls Get What They Want Tumbleweeds `` The Thief of Baghead '' The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke Prince Charming Km. 0 Phileine Says Sorry Hamateur Night `` Say You 'll Be Mine '' Into the Gauntlet Wandering Son K - On ! Foreign stories Adam Khan and Durkhanai Tum Teav Yusuf Khan and Sherbano Solomon & Gaenor Butterfly Lovers Hani and Sheh Mureed Lục Vân Tiên film Teav Aek Layla and Majnun Lovers of Teruel film Lord Saltoun and Auchanachie Ishaqzaade Other Such Tweet Sorrow Romeo and Juliet effect After Juliet `` Upper West Side Story '' ( 2012 ) Millennium Dome Show Inge Sylten and Heinz Drosihn Boys Do n't Cry My Wedding and Other Secrets Donkey in Lahore Upside Down Letters to Juliet Sherlock Gnomes Book : Romeo and Juliet Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mercutio&oldid=838457526 '' Categories : Fictional characters introduced in 1597 Fictional Italian people in literature Male Shakespearean characters Characters in Romeo and Juliet Fictional nobility Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links EngvarB from September 2017 Use dmy dates from September 2017 Pages using deprecated image syntax Articles using Infobox character with multiple unlabeled fields Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Français Italiano Norsk Polski Русский Simple English Українська 3 more Edit links This page was last edited on 27 April 2018, at 03 : 55. 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Question: who was the first person to die in romeo and juliet
Answer: Mercutio