Opposites Attract

Two friends, almost complete opposites when it comes to their personalities, both attend Valencia High School. While one is cautious and keeps peace, the other loves a challenge and has many enemies. Their relationship is similar to that of Mercutio and Benvolio in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. These characters add flavor to the play in representing good and evil, influencing lovesick Romeo, and by adding wit to a serious-toned play.
Mercutio, the hot-headed best friend of Romeo, adds wit and humor to the play Romeo and Juliet and was included in the play to make the audience laugh and also to keep them on the edge of their seats with suspense. Mercutio, in his humorous nature, loved to tease Romeo about his lovesickness; he calls Romeo a “madman” and “[conjures him] with Rosaline’s bright eyes” (Shakespeare II, i, 9-19). Though he knows this might anger Romeo, he only means it as a joke. Mercutio brings suspense to the play because one never knows when he will lose...