Mercutio (character)
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Mercutio |
| Occupation: | Veronese nobleman |
| Relationships: | Cousin of the Prince, friend of Romeo and Benvolio, often shipped with Tybalt |
| Fandom: | Romeo and Juliet, Romeo es Julia |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Mercutio is a character created by William Shakespeare who appears in Romeo and Juliet and in many of its adaptations, such as Romeo and Juliet: the Musical. He was probably named for Marcuccio Guertio, a rival to Romeo in Giulietta e Romeo by Luigi Da Porto. He is known for his bold personality and sometimes raunchy witticisms.
In Canon
In Shakespeare
Mercutio is Romeo and Benvolio's saucy friend who dies in a duel with Tybalt Capulet after Romeo refuses to accept the challenge.
In Roméo et Juliette
In Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour (2001), the original version of the musical, Mercutio's role is expanded upon somewhat. He is described as insane but is portrayed as sophisticated and also believes the others are repressed in ways which he is not. Philippe D'Avilla, who is bald and older than most Mercutios, portrayed him, giving him a slightly sinister air of sophistication.
In the 2010 French revival, Roméo et Juliette: Les infants de Vérone, John Eyzen portrayed him very differently than D'Avilla had. Eyzen's Mercutio has long, flowing hair, is very unstable, revels in unpredictability and danger to a greater degree than Zolicutio, and seems to have a love/hate relationship with Tybalt, who he flirts with while fighting.
In Romeo e Giulietta - Ama e Cambia il Mondo, the Italian version, Mercutio is deeply depressed and explicitly in love with Romeo. The scene in which he passionately kisses Romeo on the lips before dying makes this version popular among Rocutio shippers.
In Rómeó és Júlia, the Hungarian version, he is portrayed by Zoltán Bereczki. Two of his songs from the original musical were cut, as were all references to his mental illness, and he was given some additional lines. He is extremely energetic, dances constantly, sings, raps, does flying leaps, and makes numerous jestingly elaborate bows. At one point, he kisses Romeo and tries to kiss Benvolio but doesn't seem serious about it. He also caresses Tybalt's face at one point during their duel.
In Fandom
In General
Mercutio is an extremely popular character. In the R&J Shakespearean tag on Ao3, he is the most tagged character. In the French and Hungarian musical subfandoms, he is less tagged than Tybalt but still a highly popular subject for art and fic.
The majority of fans and some scholars interpret him as gay or bi.
He is most frequently shipped with Tybalt, followed by Benvolio and Romeo.
The most fandom-popular Mercutio actor from a version using the play's script is Harold Perrineau, who played him in Romeo + Juliet.
RetJ/ResJ Fandom
To differentiate between different versions and runs, musical fans referring to Mercutio sometimes specify by using a specific spelling (ex: Mercuzio from the Italian musical) or by mashing Mercutio's name together with that of the actor who played him (ex: Zolicutio, from the first Hungarian run, played by Zoltán Bereczki). A common trope in fan art which also sometimes appears in fic is for different Mercutios to meet each other. The most popular versions in fan art are Zolicutio and John Eyzen's Mercutio during the part of the run when Eyzen had long, wavy hair.
A number of fans headcanon him as trans[1] or as exemplifying gender in a special way.[2]
Some headcanon that Mercutio is attracted to and has slept with Lady Capulet, which occasionally makes its way into fics and art.[3]
Fan Works
Shakespearean Fandom
Writing
- The Madness of Love by Meltha (Mature, backstory, one-sided Rocutio)
Art
- I just think that he by @artsyanarchist (Harold Perrineau)
Miscellaneous
- I do think hands down the best Shakespearean death goes to mercutio by @astrangergivingthestrangewelcome
- Harold Perrineau Mercutio monologue appreciation by @andromeda3116
- Harold Perrrineau GIFS
- Mercutio Is Definitely A Wizard... by LemonMaster 66 (R+J specific meta)
Musical Fandom
Writing
Art
- mercutio by @apfel-strudelz (resj)
- Drawings of Mercutio by @musical-trash-goblin (resj)
- Overture by @mercutiosometimes
- ill and getting worse. by @artsyanarchist (retj)
- Collides by @sheenstbr (multi)
- Day 11: If you’re Mercutio and I’m Mercutio, who is driving the plane by @dailymercutio
- John Eyzen as Mercutio by @lowey0316 (retj)
- drawing dead musical gays by @linda-lindt (retj)
- my favorite by @artsyachaion (retj)
- Mercutio by @shadowofqueenmab (retj)
- Mercutio and Tybalt Illustrations by @kiffenart (retj)
- I haven't posted in a hot minute by @artsyanarchist (retj)
Miscellaneous
- My interpretations of Mercutios from some RetJ productions I've seen by @dinatela
- resj mercutio compilation by @crazyw3irdo
- Mercutio and Benvolio Spotify playlist by atlas
- Tag yourself meme Mercutio edition by @elzza
Archives and Links
- Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet) tag on Ao3
References
- ^ i’ve said it before and i’ll fucking say it again. mercutio transgender @madwhenyrdreaming
- ^ i'm sorry i can't be him by @crazyw3irdo
- ^ Day 2: having relations with your mom lol by @dailymercutio