Objectives:
 To recap on the language, emotions
and events in Act 2, Scenes 1 & 4
 To explore Mercutio’s representation
in Act 3, Scene 1 (his death scene).
 To explain how his character changes
in this scene.
Recap on Act 2 Scenes 1 & 4
*Look at the quotes taken from last session,
select at least 3 and explain what they tell
us about Mercutio’s character.
*Complete the task on the back of the
sheet: Circle the words which describe
Mercutio and explain which 3 most apply to
him.
• You can work in pairs if you like
• You have 20 minutes
Watch this version of the scene –
Is it how you imagined?
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=ArDj4e_knAE
/images/s
2CE5E4A
On the sheet – fill in the
blanks for the techniques
that Shakespeare uses in
this scene.
Read Act 3, Scene 1
* How has Mercutio’s character
changed?
* Is he different or just the
same?
* How?
Make notes on your script:
This scene uses prose (normal story writing)
rather than blank verse (lines which have a certain
amount of syllables per line but doesn’t rhyme)
Line 2: Pathetic fallacy = hot weather – hot
tempered
Line 2-4: Foreshadowing – there will be trouble.
Line 5: Encouraging Benvolio to be in the mood for
fighting – saying he’s got a temper.
Line 7 : Persuading him he’s up for a fight –
uses alliteration and word play to be funny.
Line 9: Uses male bravado to make Benvolio
feel masculine.
Similes used to compliment and insult him.
Benvolio has no right to advise him about
fighting – he’s just as bad.
Line 12: Suggesting he wants to put
the Capulets under his heel in
victory.
Line 16 & 18: Provocative – goading
him to fight.
Line 20 : Consort = associate with or
sing in a concert with – Mercutio takes
it as an insult when it isn’t.
23: Fiddlestick- he draws his sword as a
provocative gesture. Dance – move away
from my sword.
Line 25: Stubborn - wants to
continue despite the risks.
Line 27: my man = male servant.
Line 28-29: Insulted – he doesn’t
wear your uniform / colours – only
if you go into the field of battle will
he follow you.
Line 31-32: Sarcastic/ ironic and
disrespectful.
Line 37: Insulting his manhood ‘cos
he’s older.
Line 44: He’s shocked – thinks
Romeo is surrendering – doesn’t
know about Juliet (dramatic irony).
Line 45: ratcatcher – taking the
mickey out of his name from the
children’s story to belittle him.
Watch this modern
version – is this how you
imagine the scene?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-tgAP3uui0
Line 48: Being witty on the idea of
him being a cat and provocative.
Ears / ere – pun – having to pull
sword out by the ears before
you’ve got your sword out.
Line 55: Stands in front of
Mercutio to stop the fight.
Line 59: I am sped = I’m done for /
annoyed. 60: He feels cheated – Tybalt
got away without a scratch.
Line 62: Bitter irony – a cat has only
scratched him but enough to kill him.
Lines 64-65: Being sarcastic / ironic.
Lines 65-66: A dark pun – grave means
serious / in the grave – Mercutio is
never serious.
Line 67 – curses both the families – he
thinks Romeo has betrayed him. The
fight between the families isn’t worth
dying for.
‘A dog, a rat…’ etc. Metaphors to insult
Tybalt – he’s worthless.
‘Why the devil….’ – He can’t believe
Romeo tried to stop the fight instead
of helping him against Tybalt.
Line 69: Metaphor for dramatic impact
Line 70: Repetition to emphasise anger
and shock.
Line 79: Metaphorical – going to
Heaven.
Lines 81-82: Foreshadowing death – this
is a pivotal turning point in the play.
Line 88-89: Upset his friend is dead
and becomes angry.
* Watch the Baz Luhrmann
version – is it easier to
understand than the
others?
*What does it tell us about
Mercutio?
Select 3 quotes and
use PEE paragraphs to
identify 3 ways that
Mercutio is presented in
this scene.