Many minor characters played very important roles that influenced the outcome of the play to occur. Mercutio, although he wasn't consistent in the play, played a very important role. To give us an insight of what is going on in Juliet's mind and what is going on in the play, the nurse is included. The most important minor character that has influenced the final tragedy of the play was Friar Lawrence. The roles that these characters play set the mood, influences the ending and reveals important information about themselves or other characters.
Mercutio played a very important role for a character that was only there for a short period time. He catches our attention by being very loud and creates a little humour with sarcasm. After the Capulet party when Romeo went missing Mercutio insults Romeo in a friendly way by making the remark, " The ape is dead and I must conjure him thee by Rosaline's bright eyes." (2, 1, ll 16-17) He is also the type to tell things how they are and does not hold information back to spare feelings. When Romeo was feeling down Mercutio advised him and tried to make him realize the way he was acting by saying, "You are a lover. Borrow Cupid's wings and soar with them above common bound/ and sink in it, should you burden love - too great oppression for a tender thing," (1, 4, ll 17-18, 23-24) Although he is the prince's cousin, on neutral ground, he is very good friends with Romeo and careless with his actions. He expressed before a fight, "Men's eyes were made to look and let them gaze. I [Mercutio] will not budge for no mans pleasure," (3, 1, ll 54-56) showing that he doesn't care that people watch. Mercutio is a very important character that brings humour and suspense to the play.
The nurse helped with the outcome of the play and revealed many important facts about the situation at hand. The nurse has a very vague idea of love and believes it is all about sex.
