Since it is in Act I of Romeo and
Juliet that Romeo is lovesick and melancholy, Mercutio's mocking of him at
this point may be the passage that you want. When Romeo makes a pun on his mood and lack
of participation in the pranks of Benvolio and Mercutio, he
says,
Give me
a torch: I am not for this ambling;Being but heavy, I
will bear the light.
(1.4.36-37)
But, Mercutio
insists that he go by saying "Nay, gentle Romeo, we must have you
dance."
Tut!
dun's the mouse, the constable's own word!If thou are dun,
we'll draw thee from the mireOr (save your reverence)
love, wherein thou stick'stUp to the ears. Come, we burn
daylight, ho! (1.4.41-44)
Anticipating Rosaline's rejection, Romeo sees no point in going to the party at the
Capulets; instead he plays on the words of his friends. It is at this point that
Mercutio mocks Romeo's morose mood by referring to him as girlish and
"tender":
And,
to sink in it, should you burden love;Too great oppression
for a tender thing.
(1.4.24-25)
In Act II, Scene
I, Mercutio does continue his mocking tone toward Romeo, specifically mentioning
Rosaline by name as he calls for Romeo outside the Capulet
orchard:
readability="35">
Romeo! Humors! madman! Passion!
Lover!
Appear thou in the likeness of a
sigh
Speak but one rhyme, and I am
satisfied,
Cry but "aye me!" pronounce but "love" and
"dove,"
He heareth not, he stirreth not, he moveth
not
The ape is dead, and I must conjure
him.
I conjure thee by Rosaline's bright
eyes,
By her high forehead and her sacrlet
lip,
That in thy likeness thou appear to
us!....
If love be blind, love cannot hit the
mark
Romeo, good night.
(2.1.9-41)
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