I feel like with Mercutio’s closeness with Benvolio and his narrative foil with Tybalt, people don’t talk enough about Mercutio’s relationship with Romeo. It used to be my fav ship an although that’s changed they still drive me insaneeee
Like can we discuss how Romeo murderer a man because he killed Mercutio? Gentle Romeo who refused to fight before despite the fact Tybalt mocked him and made him look stupid. Romeo only steps in for Mercutio’s sake and he tried so hard to make it right. I can’t imagine the guilt he must’ve felt after knowing if he had just taken Tybalts challenge, Mercutio might be alive and well
Romeo loves Mercutio so much he became a murderer for him and I just think it’s bittersweet. Not only that, but what he says before enacting revenge shows me how selfless and grief filled he was. “Either you, or I, must join him.” Implying he would be okay if this fight resulted in his own death, as long as it meant he could keep Mercutio company and fight for his honor. He had just been married to the love of his life yet he still did this for Mercutio and it’s crazy!!!! He loved that man!!
Leonardo Decaprio’s portrayal of this scene shows that well because he literally holds the gun up to his own head, clearly wracked with guilt over allowing Mercutio to die
I could talk for 10 hours about the queen mab scene and wat it says about their relationship but I’ll refrain since this post was mostly me marveling over the fact Romeo killed someone for his closest friend (more than friends?)