Mercucio vs. Romeo

 Mercucio is a foil to Romeo in the way that he is humorous while Romeo is dramatic. Romeo is a hopeless romantic while Mercucio is a jokester and tries to lighten the mood by making fun of Romeo's troubles. Mercucio does not get caught up on small things, where as Romeo can be agonized by the smallest events. These are all ways that they contrast. An example of Mercucio's humorous nature happens before they enter the party. Romeo is feeling glum, and Mercucio attempts to make him feel better by making fun of him (??). "If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down. Give me a case to put my visage in. A visor for a visor! What care I..." Romeo is not amused. "I have a soul of lead."