Why did Tybalt have all bullets but one removed from his gun and why did mercutio reach for Romeo gun to do the same?

Answer 1

Your question refers specifically to the 1996 Baz Luhrmann film of Romeo and Juliet, in which all references to swords are treated as references to pistols, as if "sword" had become a slangy way of talking about guns. No other production of Romeo and Juliet does this and the scene you describe is certainly not in any other production. It occurs in Act III Scene 1 of the play, just after Tybalt has spotted Romeo and called him a villain. To understand what is going on, you need to know that Tybalt has intended to challenge Romeo to a duel since Capulet refused to allow him to fight at the party. Reference to that was cut from the film, but it is in the play, and it explains this scene. One way of fighting duels is to have both parties walk a number of paces, turn and fire at each other. They get one shot each. In all duels, the participants do nothing themselves but are aided by "seconds" or assistants. The fact that Tybalt utters an insult, then puts his hands in the air, and has his "second" remove all bullets but one from his gun is a signal that he is proposing, not a free-for-all brawl, but a formal duel. Mercutio assumes that Romeo will of course accept the challenge and, offering himself as "second" to Romeo, goes to prepare Romeo's gun. But Romeo shakes his head at him; he has no intention of duelling Tybalt.

Answer 2

Your question refers specifically to the 1996 Baz Luhrmann film of Romeo and Juliet, in which all references to swords are treated as references to pistols, as if "sword" had become a slangy way of talking about guns. No other production of Romeo and Juliet does this and the scene you describe is certainly not in any other production. It occurs in Act III Scene 1 of the play, just after Tybalt has spotted Romeo and called him a villain. To understand what is going on, you need to know that Tybalt has intended to challenge Romeo to a duel since Capulet refused to allow him to fight at the party. Reference to that was cut from the film, but it is in the play, and it explains this scene. One way of fighting duels is to have both parties walk a number of paces, turn and fire at each other. They get one shot each. In all duels, the participants do nothing themselves but are aided by "seconds" or assistants. The fact that Tybalt utters an insult, then puts his hands in the air, and has his "second" remove all bullets but one from his gun is a signal that he is proposing, not a free-for-all brawl, but a formal duel. Mercutio assumes that Romeo will of course accept the challenge and, offering himself as "second" to Romeo, goes to prepare Romeo's gun. But Romeo shakes his head at him; he has no intention of duelling Tybalt.