Mercutio plays an important role in the plot of the play. He does specific actions like:
•Forcing Romeo to go to the Capulets' party
•He is a blood relative of the Prince
•He is one of Romeo's best friends and has influence on him
•He is killed by Tybalt causing Romeo to go on a rampage
With these characteristics, it is clear that Mercutio is one of the main causes of Romeo and Juliet actually being able to meet one another. These also make it clear that Mercutio is the cause of Romeo's banishment in a way. Since he is a blood relative of the Prince, the Prince having lost a dear relative thought it only fair to banish Romeo.
Shakespeare would make a character like Mercutio to make the play more enjoyable and dramatic. If Mercutio were not involved, the audience would't experience entertaining battle of wits, important passages to play off of the plot, or the banishment of Romeo. This being said, Mercutio is a representation of his time because other than having weird behavior and dirty jokes, the rest of the community at that time was very similar. He is like a past comedian only acting like what he should be in his time period.
•Forcing Romeo to go to the Capulets' party
•He is a blood relative of the Prince
•He is one of Romeo's best friends and has influence on him
•He is killed by Tybalt causing Romeo to go on a rampage
With these characteristics, it is clear that Mercutio is one of the main causes of Romeo and Juliet actually being able to meet one another. These also make it clear that Mercutio is the cause of Romeo's banishment in a way. Since he is a blood relative of the Prince, the Prince having lost a dear relative thought it only fair to banish Romeo.
Shakespeare would make a character like Mercutio to make the play more enjoyable and dramatic. If Mercutio were not involved, the audience would't experience entertaining battle of wits, important passages to play off of the plot, or the banishment of Romeo. This being said, Mercutio is a representation of his time because other than having weird behavior and dirty jokes, the rest of the community at that time was very similar. He is like a past comedian only acting like what he should be in his time period.