Literature
Mercutio’s Last Line in Romeo and Juliet: A Study of Shakespearean Dialogue
What was the Last Line Spoken by Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet?
rRegarding the famous play by William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”, one might wonder ‘What was the last line spoken by Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet?’.
rIt's important to note that the play is renowned for its dramatic dialogue, rich in raw emotion and wit, making every line significant. However, focusing on Mercutio, it is clear there is a misunderstanding. Mercutio does not deliver the final lines of the play.
rUnderstanding Mercutio's Role and His Last Words
rMercutio is a significant character, known for his humor, wit, and passionate nature. He is a friend of both Romeo and Tybalt. Throughout the play, he leads with his character's sharp tongue and love for entertainment, paralleling Romeo's more romantic and melancholic demeanor.
rOne of Mercutio’s most famous scenes is during the Montague and Capulet street fight. Here, his sharp and sarcastic remarks contrast with the fiery Tybalt, leading to his eventual death. His final words are addressed to both Romeo and the audience, imbued with a mix of poetic frustration and ultimate dejection:
r“Ask for me to-morrow and you shall find me a grave man.”
rThis line is precisely quotation from the penultimate act of the play, shared with another character, which is not Mercutio himself. He does not deliver this line in his final moments, but rather, it is part of a conversation that follows his death.
rThe Last Two Lines Spoken by the Prince: A Reflection on the Play's Ending
rThe last two lines of the play, which are attributed to the Prince, reflect the tragic nature of the story. These are:
r r “For never was a story of more woe, Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”r rThe Prince's lines encapsulate the overarching theme of the play—the sheer tragedy of the situation and the love story's devastating end. The Prince's soliloquy acknowledges that this story surpasses all others in its sorrow and suffering, validating the tragic fate of both Romeo and Juliet.
rThe Last Line of Dire Straits' Song: A Contrast
rLastly, if by "last line spoken by Mercutio" one is referring to a song by Dire Straits, the query is entirely different. Dire Straits, a British rock band, is known for its emotive and often esoteric lyrics, encapsulated in their famous song “Brothers in Arms.” The last line of the song is:
rrrYou and me, baby, how about it?
r
This line is from a different context entirely, reflecting a different genre and era. It is reflective of the band’s storytelling style and their ability to convey deeply personal and intense emotions through their lyrics.
rConclusion
rTo sum up, the concept of "the last line spoken by Mercutio" points to a specific moment in Shakespeare’s play, which, unfortunately, does not include Mercutio, but another character. For a detailed understanding of Mercutio's significance in the play and his dialogue, one must study the entire script and context.
rKey Takeaways
r r Mercutio's final words are part of a conversation following his tragic death.r The Prince's concluding lines emphasize the tragic nature of Romeo and Juliet’s story.r Dire Straits’ last line, unlike Mercutio’s or the Prince’s, is a different context altogether and belongs to a song by Dire Straits.r rReferences
rShakespeare, W., White, J. (2020). Romeo and Juliet. Greenblatt, S., Maus, G., Smith, A. E. (Eds.). Norton Company.
rDire Straits. (1985). Brothers in Arms. Warner Bros. Records.