Act 3, Scene 1: Mercutio and Tybalt die
Mercutio is killed by Tybalt when defending Romeo’s honor
Act 3, Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a highly dramatic scene with two important deaths, one of these being Mercutio.
Right after Romeo’s secret wedding to Juliet, he, Benvolio, and Mercutio encounter Tybalt and his followers. Tybalt’s hatred for the Montagues makes him determined to pick a fight with Romeo who refuses. Mercutio, who is hotheaded like Tybalt, does not understand Romeo’s hesitation, referring to it as “calm, dishonourable, vile submission!” (3.1.70). To Mercutio, it is weak and unmanly not to defend your honor when someone offends you. He therefore challenges Tybalt to a fight.
Tragically, Mercutio is fatally wounded by Tybalt as Romeo tries to stop the fight. As Mercutio is dying, he curses the Capulet and Montague families: “I am hurt. A plague o’ both your houses!” (3.1.87-88). He repeats this curse several times, which underlines it. His wor...
