Mercutio

One of the most famous stories of tragic love ever written is, of course, William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This story that talks about the conflict of two families and the pure love of two kids from these families has been recreated millions of times, it may be in theatres, movies, parodies and even comics. One of these adaptations is from a movie of 1996 named "Romeo + Juliet." From the beginning the movie will show you that it is one of a kind. It is set in an eccentric 90's place which looks a lot like Mexico City, but the dialogues remain as the Shakespeare's play. All the characters are a funny mix between classic and surreal, but I think that Mercutio is the character that is best represented.

First of all, Mercutio is a very relaxed person who just wants to have a good time despite what people can think of him. We can see this in a very funny scene in the movie when he dresses up as an extravagant lady for the party, he goes around dancing, shaking his body, and making jokes of his fancy dress with Romeo and the other lads. Everything about him shows his free spirit: the way he talks, the way he moves and even the way he dresses with the loose shirts. He always seems to be having a real good life without any concerns that common people has like in the movie when he is in the pool or at the beach just chilling out.

As in the play, Mercutio is a very loyal friend, he is Romeo's best friend and during all his appearance in the movie he demonstrates it. He worries about Romeo when he notices him all depressed because of Rosaline and tries to make him feel better with his poetical words and stories and he gets the invitations for the Capulet's party for Romeo to have a good time and for assuring this he gives him Ecstasy which makes him feel all dizzy and weird. Mercutio is neither a Capulet nor a Montague but he is always in the side of the Montague and he when he is fighting to dead with Tybalt, he supports Romeo, it seems that the only thing that can concern him in the whole world is Romeo and the conflict with the families, as his last words were "A plague on both your houses."

Mercutio is a very unique and clever character. His words are full of wittiness and puns like when he tells the story to Romeo or all the times that he is laughing at the Capuleto with a reckless humor. He has the perfect ability to vanish all the tense moments in the movie and make the audience to smile and laugh because he is always joking around and that is a very important thing to say since the story is a tragedy itself.

Romeo + Juliet is a very funny adaptation due to the set, language and characters. All the development of the movie is like a tragicomedy and a big part of this is because of the character of Mercutio who fills the scenes with jokes and witty words, always being the loyal friend of the protagonist. This is why it makes him the best character in the film.