10+ Important Mercutio Quotes Explained For Students
Gallery
Mercutio’s wit acts as a good foil to Romeo, who is a "star-crossed lover" lost in dream.
In William Shakespeare’s iconic romantic tragedy, ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Mercutio is a close friend of Romeo, the play’s protagonist. He is one of those characters in the play who is able to communicate with both the Capulets and Montagues.
No one can beat the man when it comes to his puns and witty use of language, which are often directed to Romeo and his blind fantasy-like love. He refuses to believe in the notion of superfluous romantic love. However, his fatal flaw was the needless anger towards Capulets which led to his demise.
Mercutio did love Romeo as a friend. Hence, take a look at these best Mercutio quotes for your exams. They shall be a nice re-read of the play too.
If you like the Mercutio quotes and find them helpful, check out the Benvolio quotes and Tybalt quotes to learn more about 'Romeo And Juliet'.
Famous Mercutio Quotes
While reading ‘Romeo And Juliet’ these Mercutio famous quotes shouldn’t be missed. These also include hilarious Mercutio funny quotes.
1. “She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes
In shape no bigger than an agate stone
On the forefinger of an alderman,
Drawn with a team of little atomi
Over men’s noses as they lie asleep.”
As Mercutio learns that Romeo has had premonitions of the feast in his dreams, he wastes no time initiating the Queen Mab speech. He alludes to Queen Mab, a tiny fairy who plagues people in their dreams at night.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act I, Scene IV.
2. “True, I talk of dreams,
Which are the children of an idle brain,
Begot of nothing but vain fantasy.”
Mercutio can be seen as a cynic realist who thinks the vain celebrations of day dreaming and fantasies to be ridiculous especially when in case of idle brain.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act I, Scene IV.
3. “Appear thou in likeness of a sigh!
Speak but one rhyme and I am satisfied,
Cry but 'Ay me,' pronounce but ‘love’ and ‘dove’...”
In this speech William Shakespeare, with the help of Mercutio’s character, mocks the language and tradition of love poetry prevalent during his lifetime. Mercutio, because of his cynicism towards love, finds Romeo’s gestures banal and immature.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juilet’, Act II, Scene I.
4. “Alas poor Romeo! he is already dead; stabbed with a
white wench's black eye; shot through the ear with a
love-song; the very pin of his heart cleft with the
blind bow-boy's butt-shaft: and is he a man to
encounter Tybalt?”
Mercutio alludes to the blind Cupid, known for shooting arrows at people to make them fall in love. He chides at Romeo's capability to handle a brawl with Tybalt because he is madly in love with Rosaline.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act II, Scene IV.
5. “More than prince of cats, I can tell you. O, he is
the courageous captain of compliments.”
Mercutio says that Tybalt Capulet is more courageous than the Prince of Cats, a character from the medieval lore whose first name is also Tybalt. He states that Tybalt fights in a way that would deserve praise.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act II, Scene IV.
6. “Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man.”
Mercutio can’t help but joke even when he lay dying beside Romeo, and mockingly tells that he will be a man in grave the day after. The word ‘grave’ is a pun that denotes serious as well as a burial.
‒ 'Romeo And Juliet’, Act III, Scene I.
7. “A plague o' both your houses!
They have made worms' meat of me: I have it,
And soundly too: your houses!”
While dying, Mercutio speaks these last lines as a curse to both the families. He remarks that plague would strike the two houses as they had led to his death. These lines are indeed the most famous lines Shakespeare has given to Mercutio.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act III, Scene I.
Mercutio Love Quotes
William Shakespeare lent his wit to Mercutio which made him quite a critic of love. The following quotes describes his harsh and funny reaction to love, especially towards Romeo.
8. “If love be rough with you, be rough with love.
Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.”
Mercutio suggests standing strong in front of love and following it with similar action to beat love as a reply to Romeo’s statement that ‘love pricks like a thorn’.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act I, Scene IV.
9. “Why, is not this better now than groaning for love?
now art thou sociable, now art thou Romeo; now art
thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature...”
Mercutio asks Romeo why joking is not better than groaning in love even when he is able to maintain what he is truly from inside. He ends up comparing Romeo to the likes of children who often hide with their toys.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act II, Scene IV.
10. “If love be blind, love cannot hit the mark.”
In regards to Romeo's state, Mercutio tells that blind love is never able to hit the true mark or be successful.
‒ ‘Romeo And Juliet’, Act II, Scene I.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Mercutio quotes then why not take a look at Ophelia quotes, or Macduff quotes?
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
Disclaimer
1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.