Romeo and Juliet: Journal #3 (#2 Skipped)

(Journal for Act I, Scene IV-V)

I think Mercutio is a foil to Romeo in the way they view and think about things. Romeo always thinks things are hopeless and he has a very pathetic view. Mercutio, in contrast, is quite optimistic and makes fun out of things that aren't the best instead of getting upset over them.

For example, in Act IV, lines 27-28, when Mercutio is trying to cheer Romeo up: "If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down". Mercutio, I believe, is not only just a nice friend of Romeo's, but also a very positive and inspiring person. Even though Romeo's sad atmospheres is covering over all the happiness, Mercutio was still trying to joke and save him from the pathetic mood.

Also, Romeo often worry about too many things, while Mercutio is mostly in a relaxed mood. In Act IV, lines 106-11, Romeo says: "I fear, too early; for my mind misgives some consequence, yet hanging in the stars, shall bitterly begin his fearful date with this night's revels and expires the term of a despised life, closed in my beast, by some vile forfeit of untimely death". In this quote, Romeo is fearing that some terrible event is going to happen caused by the stars. This might foreshadow his meeting with Juliet later but it can also show that he worry about little things too much. Which contrasts to Mercutio, which gives people a happy, relaxed mood.

Tiger,
5/5/2016