Romeo and Juliet: Act 3, Scene 1
Enter MERCUTIO, BENVOLIO, MEN: servants. Abraham and Balthasar, who we saw in the first scene of the play, might be two of the servants following Benvolio and Mercutio.
[PAGE,] and MEN.
BENVOLIO
1
I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire:
2
The day is hot, the Capulets abroad,
3
And, if we meet, we shall not scape a brawl;
4
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.
MERCUTIO
5
Thou art like one of those fellows that when he
6. claps me: claps. The "me" adds the sense of "we all know what kind of person I'm talking about."
6
enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword
7
upon the table and says "God send me no need of
8-9. by . . . drawer: under the influence of the second cup of wine draws his sword against the bartender.
8
thee!" and by the operation of the second cup draws
9
it on the drawer, when indeed there is no need.
BENVOLIO
10
Am I like such a fellow?
MERCUTIO
11-13. thou art . . . moved: you are as hot a fellow in your temperament as any in Italy, and as quickly incited to be angry, and as quickly in the mood to be incited.
11
Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as
12
any in Italy, and as soon moved to be moody, and as
13
soon moody to be moved.
BENVOLIO
14-15. what to?: Benvolio asks what emotion or action he would be moved to, but Mercutio deliberately misinterprets the word "to" as "two."
14
And what to?
MERCUTIO
15
Nay, an there were two such, we should have none
16
shortly, for one would kill the other. Thou! why,
17
thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more,
18
or a hair less, in his beard, than thou hast: thou
19
wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no
20. hazel: The color hazel is a light or yellowish brown, the same color as the shell of the hazelnut.
20
other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes: what
21
eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel?
22
Thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full of
23. meat: i.e., edible matter. addle: addled, scrambled.
23
meat, and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as
24
an egg for quarrelling: thou hast quarrelled with a
25
man for coughing in the street, because he hath
26
wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun:
27
didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing
28. doublet: jacket.
29. riband: ribbon.
30. tutor me from: advise me against.
29. riband: ribbon.
30. tutor me from: advise me against.
28
his new doublet before Easter? with another, for
29
tying his new shoes with old riband? and yet thou
30
wilt tutor me from quarrelling!
BENVOLIO
31
An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man
32. fee-simple: absolute ownership, undisputed title. 32-33. buy . . . quarter: i.e., I wouldn't live more than an hour and a quarter.
32
should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour
33
and a quarter.
MERCUTIO
34. simple!: slender, stupid. Mercutio is saying that Benvolio has just made a very lame joke.
34
The fee-simple! O simple!
Enter TYBALT, PETRUCHIO,
and others.
BENVOLIO
35
By my head, here come the Capulets.
MERCUTIO
36
By my heel, I care not.
TYBALT
37
Follow me close, for I will speak to them.
38. good den: good afternoon.
38
Gentlemen, good den: a word with one of you.
MERCUTIO
39
And but one word with one of us? couple it with
40
something; make it a word and a blow.
TYBALT
41. apt enough to that: ready enough for that an: if.
41
You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you
42
will give me occasion.
MERCUTIO
43
Could you not take some occasion without
44
giving?
TYBALT
45
Mercutio, thou consort'st with Romeo,
MERCUTIO
46
Consort! what, dost thou make us minstrels? an
47
thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but
48. here's my fiddlestick: Mercutio draws his
rapier.
49. 'Zounds: This oath is a shortened form of "by his [Christ's] wounds," but does not have any genuine religious content.
49. 'Zounds: This oath is a shortened form of "by his [Christ's] wounds," but does not have any genuine religious content.
48
discords: here's my fiddlestick; here's that shall
49
make you dance. 'Zounds, consort!
BENVOLIO
50. public haunt of men: i.e., a place (such as a market-place) where people come all the time.
52. reason coldly of: discuss calmly.
53. depart: part company.
52. reason coldly of: discuss calmly.
53. depart: part company.
50
We talk here in the public haunt of men:
51
Either withdraw unto some private place,
52
And reason coldly of your grievances,
53
Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us.
MERCUTIO
54
Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze;
55
I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I.
Enter ROMEO.
TYBALT
56
Well, peace be with you, sir: here comes my man.
MERCUTIO
57-59. I'll be hanged ... man: i.e., Romeo's not your manservant, but he is the man who will fight you.
57
But I'll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery:
58
Marry, go before to field, he'll be your follower;
59
Your worship in that sense may call him "man."
TYBALT
60. the love I bear thee: the love I have for you. Tybalt is being heavily sarcastic.
60
Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
61
No better term than this: thou art a villain.
ROMEO
62. Tybalt ... love thee: Romeo should now love Tybalt because Romeo has just married Tybalt's cousin Juliet.
63-64. excuse . . . greeting: mollify the rage that would be appropriate to the kind of greeting that you have just given me.
63-64. excuse . . . greeting: mollify the rage that would be appropriate to the kind of greeting that you have just given me.
62
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
63
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
64
To such a greeting: villain am I none;
65
Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st me not.
TYBALT
66
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
67
That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.
ROMEO
68. protest: earnestly proclaim.
69. devise: understand.
69. devise: understand.
68
I do protest I never injured thee,
69
But love thee better than thou canst devise,
70
Till thou shalt know the reason of my love:
71. tender: value.
71
And so, good Capulet,which name I tender
72
As dearly as my own,be satisfied.
MERCUTIO
73
O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!
74. Alla stoccata carries it away: i.e., the first thrust wins the fight. Alla stoccata is an Italian fencing term, meaning "at the first thrust."
74
Alla stoccata carries it away.
[Draws.]
75. rat-catcher: i.e., pussy. In folklore, "Tybalt" was the name of the King of Cats. walk: i.e., fight. Now (C.E. 2015) the equivalent phrase is "step outside."
75
Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you walk?
TYBALT
76
What wouldst thou have with me?
MERCUTIO
77
Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine
78. make bold withal: use as I please. 78-79. as you shall use me hereafter: depending on how you treat after that. 79. drybeat: beat with a sword, but without drawing blood. 80. his pilcher: its scabbard.
81. by the ears: Maybe "ears" refers to the cross-guard of Tybalt's sword, and maybe the phrase "by the ears" implies that the sword is reluctant to come out of its scabbard because Tybalt is afraid to fight.
81. by the ears: Maybe "ears" refers to the cross-guard of Tybalt's sword, and maybe the phrase "by the ears" implies that the sword is reluctant to come out of its scabbard because Tybalt is afraid to fight.
78
lives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as you
79
shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the
80
eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher
81
by the ears? make haste, lest mine be about your
82
ears ere it be out.
TYBALT
83
I am for you.
[Drawing.]
ROMEO
84. Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up: good Mercutio, put your rapier back in its scabbard.
84
Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
MERCUTIO
85. passado: forward thrust.
85
Come, sir, your passado.
[They fight.]
ROMEO
86
Draw, Benvolio; beat down their weapons.
87
Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!
88
Tybalt, Mercutio, the prince expressly hath
89. bandying: exchanging sword strokes.
89
Forbidden bandying in Verona streets:
[Romeo steps between them.]
90
Hold, Tybalt! good Mercutio!
[Tybalt under Romeo's arm stabs
Mercutio.] Away Tybalt [with his followers].
MERCUTIO
90
I am hurt.
91. sped: done for.
92. hath nothing: has no wound
92. hath nothing: has no wound
91
A plague o' both your houses! I am sped.
92
Is he gone, and hath nothing?
BENVOLIO
92
What, art thou hurt?
MERCUTIO
93. a scratch ... enough:
94. villain: fellow, rascal. Mercutio uses this derogatory term not because he is angry at his page, but because he is angry at his fate.
94. villain: fellow, rascal. Mercutio uses this derogatory term not because he is angry at his page, but because he is angry at his fate.
93
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch; marry, 'tis enough.
94
Where is my page? Go, villain, fetch a surgeon.
[Exit Page.]
ROMEO
95
Courage, man; the hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO
96
No, 'tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a
97
church door; but 'tis enough,'twill serve. Ask for me
98-99. a grave man: (1) a serious man, one who doesn't pun; (2) a dead man. Even as he is dying, Mercutio puns about dying and not punning any more. I am peppered, I warrant, for this world: I guarantee that I am done for (in) this world.
98
tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I am
99
peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o' both
100
your houses! 'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to
101
scratch a man to death! a braggart, a rogue, a villain,
102. fights by the book of arithmetic: i.e., fights without inspiration, but merely by the book.
102
that fights by the book of arithmetic! Why the devil
103
came you between us? I was hurt under your arm.
ROMEO
104
I thought all for the best.
MERCUTIO
105
Help me into some house, Benvolio,
106
Or I shall faint. A plague o' both your houses!
107
They have made worms' meat of me: I have it,
108
And soundly too. Your houses!
Exeunt [Mercutio and Benvolio].
ROMEO
109. ally: kinsman. It is never explained just how Mercutio is related to Prince Escalus. 110. very friend: true friend.
111-112. my reputation stain'd / With Tybalt's slander: my reputation is stained by Tybalt's slander of me. Tybalt's "slander" was calling Romeo "villain" and "boy."
111-112. my reputation stain'd / With Tybalt's slander: my reputation is stained by Tybalt's slander of me. Tybalt's "slander" was calling Romeo "villain" and "boy."
109
This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
110
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt
111
In my behalf; my reputation stain'd
112
With Tybalt's slander,Tybalt, that an hour
113
Hath been my kinsman! O sweet Juliet,
114
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
115. temper: nature.
115
And in my temper soften'd valour's steel!
Enter BENVOLIO.
BENVOLIO
116
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead!
117. aspired the clouds: mounted to the clouds.
118. Which too untimely here did scorn the earth: i.e., Mercutio's spirit, at the wrong moment, scorned the safety of life on earth.
118. Which too untimely here did scorn the earth: i.e., Mercutio's spirit, at the wrong moment, scorned the safety of life on earth.
117
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
118
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
ROMEO
119. This day's black fate on moe days doth depend: This day's black fate threateningly hangs over more days [in the future].
119
This day's black fate on moe days doth depend;
120
This but begins the woe others must end.
[Enter TYBALT.]
BENVOLIO
121
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
ROMEO
122
Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain!
123. respective lenity: considerate gentleness.
124. conduct: guide.
124. conduct: guide.
123
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
124
And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!
125
Now, Tybalt, take the "villain" back again,
126
That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio's soul
127
Is but a little way above our heads,
128
Staying for thine to keep him company:
129
Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.
TYBALT
130
Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here,
131
Shalt with him hence.
ROMEO
131. This shall determine that: i.e., My sword will decide whether or not I will join Mercutio in death.
131
This shall determine that.
They fight; Tybalt falls.
BENVOLIO
132
Romeo, away, be gone!
133. up: in arms.
134. amazed: stupefied.
134. amazed: stupefied.
133
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.
134
Stand not amazed: the prince will doom thee death,
135
If thou art taken: hence, be gone, away!
ROMEO
136. fool: plaything, dupe.
136
O, I am fortune's fool!
BENVOLIO
136
Why dost thou stay?
Exit Romeo.
Enter CITIZENS.
First Citizen
137
Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio?
138
Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?
BENVOLIO
139
There lies that Tybalt.
First Citizen
139. Up, sir, go with me: It's a bit comic to see the citizen ordering the dead Tybalt to get up and go with him to the Prince.
139
Up, sir, go with me;
140
I charge thee in the Prince's name, obey.
Enter PRINCE, old MONTAGUE,
CAPULET, their WIVES, and all.
PRINCE
141
Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
BENVOLIO
142. discover: reveal, explain.
143. unlucky manage: unfortunate course of events.
143. unlucky manage: unfortunate course of events.
142
O noble prince, I can discover all
143
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl:
144
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,
145
That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.
LADY CAPULET
146
Tybalt, my cousin! O my brother's child!
147
O prince! O cousin! husband! O, the blood is spilt
148
O my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true,
149
For blood of ours, shed blood of Montague.
150
O cousin, cousin!
PRINCE
151
Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?
BENVOLIO
152
Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo's hand did slay;
153. that spoke him fair: who spoke to him civilly.
154. How nice the quarrel was: how trivial the cause of the quarrel was. 155. and urged withal / Your high displeasure: i.e., and also reminded Tybalt that you would be extremely angry at another street fight.
157. take truce: make peace. unruly spleen: i.e., irrational bad temper.
154. How nice the quarrel was: how trivial the cause of the quarrel was. 155. and urged withal / Your high displeasure: i.e., and also reminded Tybalt that you would be extremely angry at another street fight.
157. take truce: make peace. unruly spleen: i.e., irrational bad temper.
153
Romeo that spoke him fair, bade him bethink
154
How nice the quarrel was, and urged withal
155
Your high displeasure: all this uttered
156
With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bow'd,
157
Could not take truce with the unruly spleen
158
Of Tybalt deaf to peace, but that he tilts
159
With piercing steel at bold Mercutio's breast,
160
Who all as hot, turns deadly point to point,
161
And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats
162
Cold death aside, and with the other sends
163
It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity,
164
Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud,
165
"Hold, friends! friends, part!" and, swifter than his tongue,
166
His agile arm beats down their fatal points,
167
And 'twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm
168. envious: malicious.
169. stout: proud, fierce.
169. stout: proud, fierce.
168
An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life
169
Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled;
170
But by and by comes back to Romeo,
171. entertain'd: i.e., begun to think of.
172. ere: before.
173. stout: proud, fierce.
172. ere: before.
173. stout: proud, fierce.
171
Who had but newly entertain'd revenge,
172
And to 't they go like lightning, for, ere I
173
Could draw to part them, was stout Tybalt slain.
174
And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly.
175
This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.
LADY CAPULET
176
He is a kinsman to the Montague;
177
Affection makes him false; he speaks not true:
178
Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,
179
And all those twenty could but kill one life.
180
I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give;
181
Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live.
PRINCE
182
Romeo slew him, he slew Mercutio;
183. dear: precious, costly.
183
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?
MONTAGUE
184
Not Romeo, prince, he was Mercutio's friend;
185. concludes: puts an end to.
185
His fault concludes but what the law should end,
186
The life of Tybalt.
PRINCE
186
And for that offence
187
Immediately we do exile him hence.
188. interest: personal stake.
189. My blood: i.e., the blood of my kinsman, Mercutio.
190. amerce: punish by a fine.
189. My blood: i.e., the blood of my kinsman, Mercutio.
190. amerce: punish by a fine.
188
I have an interest in your hate's proceeding,
189
My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding;
190
But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
191
That you shall all repent the loss of mine.
192
I will be deaf to pleading and excuses;
193. purchase out abuses: buy out [the punishment for] misdeeds.
193
Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses:
194
Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste,
195
Else, when he's found, that hour is his last.
196. attend our will: be on hand to hear my further judgment.
197. Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill: i.e., having mercy on a murderer only invites others to murder, because they think they will be given mercy, too.
197. Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill: i.e., having mercy on a murderer only invites others to murder, because they think they will be given mercy, too.
196
Bear hence this body and attend our will;
197
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
Exeunt.