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He says "A plague on both your houses" which refers to the feud between the two families. Of course, Mercutio, who does not really belong to either house, has inserted himself into their quarrel by fighting with Tybalt. By doing so he sets in motion which will result in the deaths of the heirs of both houses. In a sense he has already cursed them before he even says it.

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Q: When mercutio curses romeo and Tybalt he is really voicing one of the main themes of the play why is it ironic that he says this?
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In scene 1 act 3 of Romeo and Juliet what does Mercutio accuse Benvolio of in scene 1 act 3 of Romeo and Juliet?

He accuses him of being quarrelsome. "Thou! why thou wilt quarrel with a man who hast one hair more or one hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, for no more reason but because thou hast hazel eyes." This is ironic, for it is Mercutio who is quarrelsome and who brings about the fight with Tybalt. stupid


Why is mercutio's death ironic?

Mercutio and Benvolio's conversation is ironic because Mercutio accuses Benvolio of raping Romeo as a small child, although Mercutio is the sexual deviant who regularly preys upon small children in Verona.


How does Benvolio try to keep a fight from starting?

How ironic, as I am currently doing my GCSE piece this very moment, on Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. This is the scene where dramatic tension is created when Tybalt enters the scene after Benvolio and Mercutio where 'play fighting' and taunting one another for a laugh. But it is ironic that Tybalt enters, after Mercutio says “thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full of meat”, which basically means he is wanting to fight. (Tybalt being his enemy from the opposing family). Benvolio acts as the peace maker in this scene at various points. You can see this by some of the quotes he says such as; "An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter." basically meaning Mercutio should buy life insurance, because it wont last longer than a hour and a quarter. This is very ironic how Shakespeare uses this, because he makes Benvolio fore-shadow Mercutios death later on in the scene. Benvolio is also the peace keeper when he says "Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us." Where he means go away from here if your going to fight, because many people are watching. (After the Prince's ruling of no-fighting or they will be killed). To help you understand the play more I suggest you watch 'Romeo + Juliet' (1996) starring Leonardo DiCaprio - more information can be found here! - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/ Hope this helps!


What is ironic about the ending of act 3?

what is ironic about the ending of act 111


What are some situational irony in Romeo and Juliet?

At one point, there is dramatic irony when Juliet drinks the potion that will make her appear as if she was dead for 42 hours. It just made her appear dead, but when Romeo went into the tomb, he thought that she WAS dead. He then drank real poison. In just a few short minutes, Juliet woken up to find Romeo dead. Another example of dramatic irony is Act 3 Scene 4 when Juliet's father, Capulet, agrees and says yes to Paris that Juliet will marry him. The dramatic irony is that the reader knows the truth that Juliet is already married to Romeo and Juliet can not be married to both Paris and Romeo. Also we as the reader know that Romeo and Juliet will die in the end due to the prolouge. None of the characters know this. Also, both families insist they will never forgive one another and end the feud, but we know from the prologue that they will.

Related questions

Who accuses benvolio of having quarelsome temper in romeo and Juliet?

Tybalt accuses Benvolio of having a quarrelsome temper in Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt views Benvolio as a troublemaker because of the fighting that occurs between the Montagues and Capulets.


In scene 1 act 3 of Romeo and Juliet what does Mercutio accuse Benvolio of in scene 1 act 3 of Romeo and Juliet?

He accuses him of being quarrelsome. "Thou! why thou wilt quarrel with a man who hast one hair more or one hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, for no more reason but because thou hast hazel eyes." This is ironic, for it is Mercutio who is quarrelsome and who brings about the fight with Tybalt. stupid


Why is Romeo's run in with Tybalt ironic?

Tybalt accosts Romeo, insulting his masculinity. Romeo responds with courtesy and humility because he had just come from marrying Juliet. Romeo's friends cannot believe that Romeo is bearing the insults, not knowing the reason for his passivity.


Why is mercutio's death ironic?

Mercutio and Benvolio's conversation is ironic because Mercutio accuses Benvolio of raping Romeo as a small child, although Mercutio is the sexual deviant who regularly preys upon small children in Verona.


How does Benvolio try to keep a fight from starting?

How ironic, as I am currently doing my GCSE piece this very moment, on Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet. This is the scene where dramatic tension is created when Tybalt enters the scene after Benvolio and Mercutio where 'play fighting' and taunting one another for a laugh. But it is ironic that Tybalt enters, after Mercutio says “thy head is as fun of quarrels as an egg is full of meat”, which basically means he is wanting to fight. (Tybalt being his enemy from the opposing family). Benvolio acts as the peace maker in this scene at various points. You can see this by some of the quotes he says such as; "An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee-simple of my life for an hour and a quarter." basically meaning Mercutio should buy life insurance, because it wont last longer than a hour and a quarter. This is very ironic how Shakespeare uses this, because he makes Benvolio fore-shadow Mercutios death later on in the scene. Benvolio is also the peace keeper when he says "Or else depart; here all eyes gaze on us." Where he means go away from here if your going to fight, because many people are watching. (After the Prince's ruling of no-fighting or they will be killed). To help you understand the play more I suggest you watch 'Romeo + Juliet' (1996) starring Leonardo DiCaprio - more information can be found here! - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/ Hope this helps!


Is it ironic that the song Isn't it Ironic isn't actually ironic?

No (that was ironic).


Who was Tybalt romeo and Juliet?

Tybalt is Juliet's hot-headed cousin in William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet". He embodies the feud between the Capulet and Montague families, often seeking conflict with Romeo and his friends. Tybalt's aggressive nature ultimately leads to a chain of events that results in tragedy for both families.


What was ironic in the book slaughterhouse five?

The tone was ironic


What is ironic about hollow men?

The Epigram is fairly ironic.


What is the tone of ironic by Alanis Morisette?

The tone of "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette is sarcastic and ironic. The song discusses situations that are presented as ironic but are actually just unfortunate or coincidental, playing on the idea of situational irony.


Is it ironic that ARSEnal's manager is called ARSEne?

yes it is ironic


What does pre-ironic mean?

1. containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark. 2. ironical. 3. coincidental; unexpected: It was ironic that I was seated next to my ex-husband at the dinner.