From
Shakespeare's tragedy,
Romeo and Juliet. He is of the house of
Montague, a
lifelong friend of
Romeo and a relative of the
Prince. He is slain in a duel with
Tybalt, prompting Romeo's revenge and really getting the tragedy rolling.
Mercutio is a histrionic, comic character. He lets his wild imagination ramble with his wild speech, and even his death throes are characterized by bitter humor.