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Villain

Ladies and Gentleman of the jury there is not a villain in the play, "Romeo and Juliet." As Northrop Frye states in his review, ". . . in this play there doesn't seem to be the clearly marked villain that we find in so many tragedies." (Frye 28) This paper presents the facts that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Frye's assertion is correct because the definition of a villain is a wicked or vile person. Mercutio, the nurse, Tybalt, and Romeo like a red herring seem like villains and could trick careless readers into believing that they are villains.
Mercutio's wit overshadows his violent side. "O calm, dishonorable, vile submission! Alla stoca carries it away. Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?" (Shakespeare Act 3. Sc. 1. Ln. 74-76) This quote shows that Mercutio becomes so disgusted with Romeo that he challenges Tybalt in a duel. A villain acts with wickedness, Mercutio however, acts with honor because he would rather die then disgrace the Montague name. The nurse, can be th...

Posted by: Leonard Herriman

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