Although Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) and Mercutio are both loyal to Romeo, they act in different ways. Mercutio was willing to fight for Romeo; however, Benvolio was more of a pacifist and reacted to situations calmly.
Shakespeare wrote three scenes that involved Mercutio and Benvolio trading words, and it's apparent that when Benvolio speaks only one or two lines, Mercutio fills the rest of the page. Then there are their names. Benvolio is benevolent. Mercutio is mercurial. One is steady, loyal, forgiving, and the other is swiftly changing and unpredictable.Then there's Mercutio's more flamboyant and bawdy sense of humor compared to Benvolio's more dry sense.
Tybalt and Mercutio are similar in some ways because they are both very hot tempered and despise each other and Romeo and Juliet are devestated at their deaths. They are different in some ways because Mercutio is slightly nicer and has more friends. Plus, Mercutio has more of a sense of humor than Tybalt.
"A gentleman . . . that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute that he will stand to in a month." (II, iv)
He accuses him of being quarrelsome. "Thou! why thou wilt quarrel with a man who hast one hair more or one hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, for no more reason but because thou hast hazel eyes." This is ironic, for it is Mercutio who is quarrelsome and who brings about the fight with Tybalt. stupid
Benvolio isn't more important than Mercutio. Benvolio is a good friend to Romeo (Benvolio sort of means 'well-meaning' in street-Italian), but he doesn't make much difference to the plot. Mercutio picks the fight with Tybalt that turns this from a lovestory into a tragedy. Benvolio tries to joke Romeo out of his pash on Rosaline, tries to persuade Mercutio not to fight Tybalt, tries to get the Duke not to banish Romeo - but nobody ever listens to Mercutio. A nice fellow - but not a lot of use to anybody.
Benvolio is generally considered a flat character in "Romeo and Juliet," as he does not undergo significant change or development throughout the play. He serves primarily as a foil to more complex characters like Romeo and Mercutio.
Benvolio serves as a foil for Mercutio because Benvolio is calm, level-headed, and seeks to avoid conflict, while Mercutio is impulsive, hot-tempered, and enjoys provoking others. This contrast highlights Mercutio's more extreme characteristics and adds depth to their relationship.
Although Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) and Mercutio are both loyal to Romeo, they act in different ways. Mercutio was willing to fight for Romeo; however, Benvolio was more of a pacifist and reacted to situations calmly.
Shakespeare wrote three scenes that involved Mercutio and Benvolio trading words, and it's apparent that when Benvolio speaks only one or two lines, Mercutio fills the rest of the page. Then there are their names. Benvolio is benevolent. Mercutio is mercurial. One is steady, loyal, forgiving, and the other is swiftly changing and unpredictable.Then there's Mercutio's more flamboyant and bawdy sense of humor compared to Benvolio's more dry sense.
Benvolio and Mercutio's extroverted personalities contrast with Romeo's introverted nature, highlighting his more reserved and melancholic character. Their outgoing and energetic interactions serve as a backdrop, showcasing Romeo's introspective and lovesick demeanor. Through this comparison, Shakespeare underscores Romeo's contemplative and lovestruck disposition.
Tybalt and Mercutio are similar in some ways because they are both very hot tempered and despise each other and Romeo and Juliet are devestated at their deaths. They are different in some ways because Mercutio is slightly nicer and has more friends. Plus, Mercutio has more of a sense of humor than Tybalt.
Mercutio is in the House of Escalus, however he is very good friends with Benvolio and Romeo who are both in the house of Capulet.
Both of them try to stop fights. Benvolio never starts any fights and counsels Mercutio to get out of the way of the Capulets if they are looking for trouble. Although Romeo also tries to avoid them most of the time, he does start one and only one fight, the fight in which Tybalt is killed. Benvolio says he would have stopped that one too but he didn't have a chance. Benvolio is even more peaceful than Romeo.
"A gentleman . . . that loves to hear himself talk, and will speak more in a minute that he will stand to in a month." (II, iv)
Benvolio is a round character because he exhibits depth and complexity. His sympathetic, thoughtful, and understanding nature, as well as his emotional response to Romeo's troubles, show that he has more than one dimension to his personality. His respect for others further adds to his character development.
He accuses him of being quarrelsome. "Thou! why thou wilt quarrel with a man who hast one hair more or one hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, for no more reason but because thou hast hazel eyes." This is ironic, for it is Mercutio who is quarrelsome and who brings about the fight with Tybalt. stupid