The Characters:

Mercutio:

Tybalt:

Mercutio is the cousin of Prince Escalus and Count Paris, and he’s a close friend of Romeo and Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin.

He supports and fights on the Montague side of the feud, and just like a Montague, hates the Capulet’s family. Mercutio is the instigator of many fights with his rather mean spirited humor, and often insults Tybalt. It is Tybalt's temper that leads to Mercutio's death.

Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and Romeo’s rival. Tybalt is angered by the insult of Romeo and Benvolio's uninvited presence at the ball in the Capulets' home. He kills Mercutio in a fight, and he’s killed by Romeo, who wants to avenge his friend.