Journal #2 - Is Mercutio Romeo's Foil?

Act 1, Scenes 4-5

     I think Mercutio is a character who enjoys joking around and likes to make things not so serious. He likes to keep things light and airy. Romeo mopes around and acts severely depressed, thus making it seem like Mercutio is Romeo's foil. In Act 1, Scene 4, line 52, Romeo says, "In bed asleep, while they do dream things true", and Mercutio responds, in lines 53-56, "O, then I see Queen Mab has been with you. She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate stone On the forefinger of an alderman..." Mercutio is making a lighthearted joke about how Romeo thinks dreams actually mean something. This shows their opposite opinions on the matter and shows another reason as to why Mercutio is Romeo's foil.