Have you ever been called a “wise guy?” No doubt, someone was trying to put you down by saying that. In Romeo and Juliet, I wish I could call a couple of characters “wise guys,” but alas, they aren’t too smart. In the play, two young kids fall in love from opposing families. In spite of the feud, they get married, get into loads of trouble, and end up dying. Things started getting really bad when Mercutio and Tybault meet in the town square and begin to fight. It’s just not wise for Mercutio and Tybault to get into a fight.

One reason they should not fight is because they basically have nothing to do with the other. Let’s face it, neither one of these guys really has a quarrel with the other. Tybault came into the square looking for a fight with Romeo. In the play, Tybault says, “Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man.” (Romeo). Tybault comes right out and says to Mercutio that his fight is with Romeo, not with Mercutio. Benvolio says it to Mercutio also, “ Either withdraw unto some private place and reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart.” Here good-old Benvolio is trying to break up the impending fight before it can get going. It just makes no sense to start a fight for no reason.

Another reason they should not fight is because they should remember, it could lead to death. Research has shown that sword fighting between Shakespearean characters between the ages of 15- 30 was the number one cause of death. Both of these guys are in this age bracket and are at risk of death if they fight. In the play, both are described as carrying swords. In fact, Mercutio mocks Tybault by saying, “Here’s my fiddlestick; here’s that shall make you dance.” He is referring to his sword. Fighting may be hazardous to one’s health.

There are those who say, “Boys will be boys.” They say let them fight, that there’s no way to stop the violence. These people who think this way are wrong. One must make a stand against violence wherever one can. Fighting in the town square was expressly forbidden by the Prince. That alone should be enough to make these guys stop and think before they act. Mercutio and Tybault both seemed reasonable young men; I don’t think they felt themselves above the law. If one simply can’t avoid a fight, a least the fight should be for a good reason.

Fighting is not the smart thing to do. They have no argument and it could lead to their immediate deaths. I remember one time watching two guys in a fight. Neither one seemed to come out winner; they both lost, as will Mercutio and Tybault if they fight. So come on guys! Lighten up and stop the violence. Live to party another day. There once was three wise men; it would be nice to be able to add two more to the list.