Tybalt is looking to fight with the Montagues. Romeo refuses his challenge but Mercutio draws his sword. Romeo intervenes but the fight ends in tragedy.
Episode 5: Blood is spilled
[Scene 1: the streets of Verona]
Benvolio
Please Mercutio, let’s go home. It’s so hot and the Capulet’s will be out and about. If we meet, there’s bound to be a fight. This heat always makes people short-tempered.
Rosaline
Whoa. It is a scorcher of a day. Benvolio’s right, they don’t want to bump into some hot-headed Capulets looking for a fight. (Seeing Tybalt) Too late! Here come’s Tybalt, looking for Romeo. They haven’t seen each other since the party.
Benvolio
By my head! Here come the Capulets!
Mercutio
By my foot, I couldn’t care less!
Tybalt
Gentlemen, good afternoon. Can I have a word with one of you?
Mercutio
A word? With one of us? Make it a word and a fight.
Rosaline
Why, oh why, is Mercutio winding him up?!
Benvolio
We’re in a public place. Everyone can see us. And the Prince has warned us about fighting. Let’s get off the streets, into somewhere more private, and talk about this calmly and sensibly. Or we go our separate ways.
Rosaline
Good old Benvolio. Still trying to keep the peace. Or at least trying to keep them out of sight…
Mercutio
I won’t move for anyone.
Rosaline
(Seeing Romeo arrive) Now that is bad timing Romeo!
Tybalt
Romeo, I just have one thing to say to you. You are a villain.
Romeo
Tybalt, my love for you allows me to ignore the anger I would usually feel after such a greeting. I’m not a villain. Goodbye, I can see you don’t know me at all.
Tybalt
This doesn’t excuse the injuries you have done to me. Turn and draw your sword.
Romeo
I’ve never injured you. I actually love you more than you know.
Rosaline
Romeo’s not interested in fighting Tybalt. He’s related to him now, because of his secret marriage to Juliet!
Romeo
And so, good Capulet - a name I respect as much as my own - be satisfied and calm down.
Rosaline
Let’s hope Tybalt listens, or this could get ugly.
Mercutio
Giving in like that is dishonourable.
Rosaline
What? Mercutio’s annoyed that Romeo won’t fight Tybalt? This is crazy!
Mercutio
Tybalt, you rat-catcher, will you fight with me?
Tybalt
I will.
Romeo
Gentle Mercutio, put your sword away.
Mercutio
(To Tybalt) Come on, sir! Attack me!
Romeo
Benvolio! Help me beat down their swords!
Romeo
Stop, Tybalt! Mercutio!
Mercutio
(Tybalt stabs Mercutio) I am hurt. A plague on both your houses. (Looking for Tybalt) Is Tybalt gone? Is he injured?
Benvolio
Are you hurt?
Romeo
Courage, man. The injury can’t be too bad.
Mercutio
It is enough. Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man. A plague on both your houses! Why did you get between us? He wounded me under your arm.
Rosaline
Poor Mercutio. he doesn't understand why Romeo tried to stop the fight.
Romeo
I was trying to do what was right.
Mercutio
Help me inside Benvolio or I will pass out. A plague on both your houses!
Romeo
My best friend, has been hurt while fighting instead of me.
Rosaline
Romeo’s blaming himself. Tybalt’s anger was mostly for him. Mercutio was standing up for Romeo and defending his honourand now he’s badly wounded.
Romeo
O sweet Juliet, your beauty has made me a coward.
Rosaline
Surely not wanting to fight Tybalt makes him a better man. Not a coward?
Benvolio
(Returning from Mercutio) O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead!
Romeo
This terrible act will have consequences.
Benvolio
Here comes the furious Tybalt, back again.
Romeo
Alive, in triumph? And Mercutio dead? Either you, or I, or both, must go with him.
Tybalt
You wretch. You lived with him here on earth and now you will go with him to heaven.
Romeo
This fight will decide that.
Rosaline
This is a disaster. Mercutio, now Tybalt…or Romeo.
Benvolio
(To Romeo returning from the fight) Romeo, get away from here! Don’t just stand there. What will the Prince do if you’re caught?Get out of here!
Romeo
O, I am a fool!
Rosaline
Now Tybalt is dead as well. The prince is going to be furious. He warned them not to fight. And the poor families… The Capulet’s will want justice. Even if the Prince did show mercy…what then? What will Romeo tell Juliet about all the dreadful things that have just happened…?
Romeo and Juliet animation
5. Blood is spilled
NB: This episode includes sensitive issues including the deaths of both Mercutio and Tybalt during street fighting. Teachers are advised to watch the episode before sharing with their groups to assess its suitability.
Benvolio and Mercutio are on the streets of Verona when Tybalt appears accompanied by fellow Capulets. Hot-headed Tybalt challenges them but Benvolio reminds them of the Prince's warning regarding further violence and urges them to calm down.
Romeo arrives and is also challenged by Tybalt but Romeo refuses to be baited, knowing that he is now related to Tybalt through his secret marriage to Juliet. Mercutio is unhappy with Romeo's refusal to fight and takes up Tybalt's challenge. Swords are drawn and despite the efforts of Romeo and Benvolio to keep them apart Mercutio is stabbed and dies a short time later.
Romeo is enraged by his friend's death and now draws his own sword. He fights with Tybalt and the Capulet is killed. Benvolio hurries Romeo away from the scene while Rosaline wonders what Romeo can possibly say to Juliet about what has happened.
The adaptation is intended to be broadly suitable for upper KS2 - that is, pupils aged 9 years old and above. However, be aware that the content deals with a number of sensitive issues including deaths during street fighting and suicide. Teachers should ensure they have watched any content they intend to share with their group in order to assess its suitability.
This film is relevant for teaching English within the National Curriculum at KS2 in England and Northern Ireland and equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales.
Further resources
Teacher Notes
Download / print the Teacher Notes for this series
Episode transcript
Click to download / print the episode transcript
Other videos in this series
4. A secret wedding. video
Friar Lawrence marries Romeo and Juliet in a secret ceremony witnessed by the nurse.
6. Exile. video
The prince banishes Romeo in punishment for Tybalt's death. Romeo visits Juliet in secret before leaving.
7. A sleeping potion. video
Juliet's parents demand she marries Paris. Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence who gives her a sleeping potion.
