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English Literature / Drama GCSE: Romeo and Juliet - Act 3, Scene 1 - Death of Mercutio (workshop)

Michael Fentiman discusses ambiguity in Shakespeare鈥檚 text.

Does Tybalt intend to kill Mercutio?

Jonjo O鈥橬eill explores ways of delivering Mercutio鈥檚 dying scene; playing bravado and then showing fear.

This short film is from the 大象传媒 series, Shakespeare Unlocked.

Teacher Notes

This short film demonstrates how Shakespeare's ambiguity allows each theatre company to make their own choices about the staging of the scene.

It offers different interpretations of the scene which will encourage discussion.

Explain to students that there is nothing in the text that tells us whether Tybalt means to kill Mercutio, or whether Mercutio's death is an accident.

As they watch the workshop, ask your students to observe how the actors stage the fight.

How is the fatal wounding of Mercutio staged? What do the actors say about the staging of Mercutio's death?

In small groups ask students to jot down their observations about the three different ways the actor played Mercutio's death: showing bravado; playing the fear; and doing both.

  • What did each interpretation highlight?
  • Which interpretation did they think was most effective? Why?
  • How does the way in which Mercutio's death is played affect the character of Romeo?

This short film is suitable for teaching GCSE English literature and drama in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/ 5 in Scotland.

More from Shakespeare Unlocked - Romeo and Juliet

The company discuss Shakespeare鈥檚 language and the reason for the fight.

Act 3, Scene 1 - Spoiling for a fight (workshop)

Young men from the Montague and Capulet families fight with tragic consequences.

Act 3, Scene 1 - The Fight

The actors look at how Juliet becomes isolated from her mother, her father and her nurse.

Act 3, Scene 5 - Juliet is abandoned (workshop)

The cast discuss acting, directing and prop choices for this production.

About the 2011 RSC production

Mariah Gale and Sam Troughton explore the problem of Romeo鈥檚 name and Juliet鈥檚 solution.

Act 2, Scene 2 - Juliet's soliloquy (workshop)

Romeo puts his life in danger by entering the Capulet orchard. Mariah Gale and Sam Troughton explore differing ways of playing the scene.

Act 2, Scene 2 - Lovers unite (workshop)

Sam Troughton discusses how Romeo has no plan once he is discovered in the Capulet garden.

Act 2, Scene 2 - Romeo's soliloquy (workshop)

Romeo steals into the Capulet garden to find Juliet on her balcony, talking to herself.

Act 2, Scene 2 - The Balcony

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