Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation

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# Characterisation

English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet, topic 3.3.1

## Mercutio - Unromantic and Sexual

Mercutio is a foil to Romeo. He does not believe in romance and is crude and aggressive towards women. Some people think Mercutio could be homosexual.

### Unromantic

![Unromantic](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/1478d222-e91a-4866-a5bf-2dfc9ba4934e/shutterstock_335012768.jpg)

- Mercutio is Romeo’s best friend.
- Mercutio is witty (funny) and light-hearted. He is a contrast (a foil) to Romeo.
- He does not believe in romance. He thinks of relationships between people as purely sexual and not romantic of loving.
- When we first meet Mercutio in A1 S4, he is trying to tell Romeo to get over this apparent love for Rosaline. He says: **'If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down'**. He tells Romeo to ignore the hardships of love and to follow what he wants. He says if he gives up on women, then it will be harder for him to get one again.

### Sexual

![Sexual](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/0490f7bb-1ee9-45a0-8688-f336206b61ae/shutterstock_1029941407.jpg)

- Mercutio also shows his sexualised, crude (rude, in a sexual way) side in A2 S1 when he and Benvolio are looking for Romeo after the party. 
 - He is talking about Rosaline’s body parts, saying: **'I conjure thee by Rosaline’s bright eyes… her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh'**.
- Mercutio is quite aggressive about women and his friends’ relationships. He makes a lot of negative, derogatory (insulting) comments about women in the play.

### Homosexual?

![Homosexual?](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/8bde5b44-135d-47f7-aad3-9e7d0b754d1a/shutterstock_533972002.jpg)

- Mercutio makes a lot of jokes about penes. There is some suggestion that Mercutio is a homosexual character. Some people think this is why he reacts to aggressively when Tybalt asks if he **'consortest with Romeo'** in Act 3. 
- But Mercutio could also just be enjoying the male friendships that he has in the play.

## Characterisation of Mercutio

Mercutio is presented as aggressive and witty. His death and the fact that Romeo never tells him about Juliet, are important aspects of the plot:

### Unaware of Juliet

![Unaware of Juliet](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/535c8287-b456-4673-9731-ca1f51a892cd/shutterstock_1043568523.jpg)

- It is important to remember that, although Romeo and Mercutio are best friends, Romeo never even hints to him that he loves Juliet. 
- Romeo never tells Mercutio what happened at the party and does not say that he has married Juliet.
- _Would he have told Mercutio this if Tybalt hadn’t come to fight him in Act 3?_

### Aggressive

![Aggressive](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/06447aee-dd96-49c0-b058-8662bb96e436/shutterstock_791350525.jpg)

- Mercutio and Tybalt are quite similar. They both react quickly when they are encouraged to fight.
- In A3 S1, Mercutio also becomes angry that Romeo is refusing to fight and defend himself after Tybalt has insulted him. 
- He says that Romeo’s refusal is a **'dishonourable, vile submission'**. 
- Because he is angry, Mercutio then steps in to defend his friend and the Montague family name. This causes his own death.

### Witty

![Witty](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/57b226ed-01b6-42ac-9560-f9f11aebf0d7/shutterstock_75688855.jpg)

- Shakespeare presents Mercutio as a witty character right up until he dies. Mercutio says that the fatal (deadly) wound he receives is just **'a scratch'**, even though he knows that he is dying.
- As he dies, he shouts **'a plague o’ both your houses'**. This highlights the tragic nature of the play.  Romeo’s best friend is now asking for both the Montagues and the Capulets to be punished for their fighting.
- The audience has grown to like Mercutio. So the audience sympathises with Romeo’s vengeful (seeking revenge) attack on Tybalt.

### Importance of death

![Importance of death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/c0c59d40-e488-4541-8ab9-160378fea4db/shutterstock_350845205.jpg)

- Mercutio’s death marks the point where the play changes. The play becomes more and more tragic (sad) after his death.

## Test yourself on Characterisation

- Who is Mercutio?
- What does Romeo **not** tell Mercutio?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/00f70050-30ed-11e8-a763-490dd4eebe44/section/2b018d70-3273-11e8-b73a-2101f7e1fdc5/session)

- Previous topic: [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md)
- Next topic: [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md)

## English Lit: AQA GCSE Romeo & Juliet contents

### 1 Context
- 1.1 Context
  - [1.1.1 Tragedy & Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-1-tragedy-and-setting.md)
  - [1.1.2 Relationships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-2-relationships.md)
  - [1.1.3 Religion & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-3-religion-and-fate.md)
  - [1.1.4 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-4-end-of-topic-test-context.md)
  - [1.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Era](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-era.md)
  - [1.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/1-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-location.md)

### 2 Plot Summary
- 2.1 Prologue
  - [2.1.1 Prologue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-1-1-prologue.md)
- 2.2 Act 1
  - [2.2.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.2.2 Scene 1 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-2-scene-1-quotes.md)
  - [2.2.3 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-3-scene-2.md)
  - [2.2.4 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-4-scene-3.md)
  - [2.2.5 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-5-scene-4.md)
  - [2.2.6 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-6-scene-5.md)
  - [2.2.7 End of Topic Test - Prologue & Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-2-7-end-of-topic-test-prologue-and-act-1.md)
- 2.3 Act 2
  - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-1-scenes-1-2.md)
  - [2.3.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-2-scene-3.md)
  - [2.3.3 Scene 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-3-scene-4.md)
  - [2.3.4 Scenes 5-6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-4-scenes-5-6.md)
  - [2.3.5 End of Topic Test - Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-3-5-end-of-topic-test-act-2.md)
- 2.4 Act 3
  - [2.4.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.4.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-2-scene-2.md)
  - [2.4.3 Scenes 3-4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-3-scenes-3-4.md)
  - [2.4.4 Scene 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-4-scene-5.md)
  - [2.4.5 End of Topic Test - Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-4-5-end-of-topic-test-act-3.md)
- 2.5 Act 4
  - [2.5.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.5.2 Scenes 2-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-2-scenes-2-3.md)
  - [2.5.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-5-3-scenes-4-5.md)
- 2.6 Act 5
  - [2.6.1 Scene 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-1-scene-1.md)
  - [2.6.2 Scene 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-2-scene-2.md)
  - [2.6.3 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-3-scene-3.md)
  - [2.6.4 Scene 3 - Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-4-scene-3-quotes.md)
  - [2.6.5 End of Topic Test - Acts 4 & 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-5-end-of-topic-test-acts-4-and-5.md)
  - [2.6.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Drugs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-drugs.md)
  - [2.6.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Knowing about the Wed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-knowing-about-the-wed.md)
  - [2.6.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Order of Deaths](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/2-6-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-order-of-deaths.md)

### 3 Key Characters
- 3.1 Romeo
  - [3.1.1 First Impressions & Juliet's Effect](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-1-first-impressions-and-juliets-effect.md)
  - [3.1.2 Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-2-character-development.md)
  - [3.1.3 Reactions & Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-3-reactions-and-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.1.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Age](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-age.md)
  - [3.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banishment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-banishment.md)
  - [3.1.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Naivety](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-1-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-naivety.md)
- 3.2 Juliet
  - [3.2.1 First Impressions & Character Development](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-1-first-impressions-and-character-development.md)
  - [3.2.2 Tragic Character](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-2-tragic-character.md)
  - [3.2.3 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-3-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.2.4 End of Topic Test - Romeo & Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-4-end-of-topic-test-romeo-and-juliet.md)
  - [3.2.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Real People?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-real-people.md)
  - [3.2.6 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Montagues vs Capulets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-2-6-diagnostic-misconceptions-montagues-vs-capulets.md)
- 3.3 Mercutio
  - [3.3.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-1-characterisation.md)
  - [3.3.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-3-2-key-quotes.md)
- 3.4 The Nurse, Benvolio & Tybalt
  - [3.4.1 The Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-1-the-nurse.md)
  - [3.4.2 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-2-benvolio.md)
  - [3.4.3 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-4-3-tybalt.md)
- 3.5 Friar Laurence
  - [3.5.1 Characterisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-1-characterisation.md)
  - [3.5.2 Key Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-2-key-quotes.md)
  - [3.5.3 End of Topic Test- Mercutio, Nurse & Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-3-end-of-topic-test-mercutio-nurse-and-benvolio.md)
  - [3.5.4 End of Topic Test - Tybalt & Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-4-end-of-topic-test-tybalt-and-friar-laurence.md)
  - [3.5.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - What is a Friar?](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-5-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-what-is-a-friar.md)
- 3.6 Grade 9 - Key Characters
  - [3.6.1 Grade 9 - Key Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-1-grade-9-key-characters.md)
  - [3.6.2 Grade 9 - Key Characters: Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/3-6-2-grade-9-key-characters-extract-analysis.md)

### 4 Key Themes & Concepts
- 4.1 Power & Danger of Love
  - [4.1.1 Romeo's Loves](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-1-romeos-loves.md)
  - [4.1.2 Friendship & Family](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-2-friendship-and-family.md)
  - [4.1.3 Violent Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-3-violent-love.md)
  - [4.1.4 End of Topic Test - Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-1-4-end-of-topic-test-love.md)
- 4.2 Violence, Fate & Gender
  - [4.2.1 Violence, Conflict & Suicide](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-1-violence-conflict-and-suicide.md)
  - [4.2.2 Exam-Style Questions - Violence & Death](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-2-exam-style-questions-violence-and-death.md)
  - [4.2.3 Fate & Destiny](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-3-fate-and-destiny.md)
  - [4.2.4 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-4-gender.md)
  - [4.2.5 End of Topic Test - Violence, Fate & Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-5-end-of-topic-test-violence-fate-and-gender.md)
  - [4.2.6 Grade 9 - Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-6-grade-9-key-themes.md)
  - [4.2.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Type of Play](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/4-2-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-type-of-play.md)

### 5 Writing Techniques
- 5.1 Writing Techniques
  - [5.1.1 Language, Rhythm & Rhyme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-1-language-rhythm-and-rhyme.md)
  - [5.1.2 Symbolism & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-2-symbolism-and-imagery.md)
  - [5.1.3 Dramatic Irony & Soliloquys](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-3-dramatic-irony-and-soliloquys.md)
  - [5.1.4 End of Topic Test - Writing Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-4-end-of-topic-test-writing-techniques.md)
  - [5.1.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Wherefore](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/5-1-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-wherefore.md)

### 6 Recap: Main Quotes
- 6.1 Main Quotes by Act
  - [6.1.1 Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-1-act-1.md)
  - [6.1.2 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-2-act-2.md)
  - [6.1.3 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-3-act-3.md)
  - [6.1.4 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-4-act-4.md)
  - [6.1.5 Act 5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-1-5-act-5.md)
- 6.2 Main Quotes by Character
  - [6.2.1 Romeo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-1-romeo.md)
  - [6.2.2 Juliet](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-2-juliet.md)
  - [6.2.3 Mercutio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-3-mercutio.md)
  - [6.2.4 Friar Laurence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-4-friar-laurence.md)
  - [6.2.5 Nurse](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-5-nurse.md)
  - [6.2.6 Benvolio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-6-benvolio.md)
  - [6.2.7 Tybalt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/romeo-and-juliet/6-2-7-tybalt.md)