the westphalian system is a temporary and western phenomenon. accept or refute

the westphalian system is a temporary and western phenomenon. accept or refute The westphalian system emerged from the signing of the Peace of Westphalia, two peace treaties of Osnabruck and Munster, in 1648. The westphalian system refers to the modern international system of states which exist today. Although many scholars date the modern nation state from 1648 and the treaty of Westphalia, the state as it existed in the 17thc was the result of the processes that had been occurring for over 500 yrs prior to Westphalia. From 1450-1650, the combination and interaction of political, economic, technological and religious factors brought about the shift to the modern state system. For hundreds of years before this period, Europe consisted of a complex system of feudal entities. During the 5thc the Roman Empire disintegrated and only a very basic level of organisation remained. By the 11thc the system in place was based on feudal relationships and involved very little interaction with the rest of the world. At the geographical and political centre of the European system was the Holy Roman Empire. Within this system, the principle of authority was hierarchical, but the ability of those at the top of the hierarchy to exercise their authority over large territories was limited. The 15th and 16th centuries were characterised by the gradual growth of monarchical power and influence. As monarchs struggled against the feudal nobility in their efforts to expand, centralise, and consolidate their control over territory, they needed economic and military resources. During this period manufacturing, trade and communication had become increasingly concentrated, resulting in the growth of cities and towns. Eventually a money economy developed and replaced the system of barter that was characteristic of feudal exchange. Each town came to represent a larger regional economy and a newly found merchant class began to emerge who desired continual growth and expansion of these regional economies. This expansion required security and order, an authority to provide for roads and communication and to further reduce the barriers to economic expansion. European politics during this period was about nobles and princes, and if the monarchy wanted to challenge the military power of the nobility they needed to raise their own mass armies. To raise and support these armies elaborate bureaucracies evolved to extract resources in the form of taxes, and to administer military camps and hospitals. In this expansion of bureaucracy the origins of the formal administrative institutions that now characterise the modern state can be seen. This period saw the rapid development and use of military technology that also made possible European expansion to the rest of the globe. The continual rivalries and wars between kings and nobles pushed each to find some advantage in arms or wealth and led to rapid technological and scientific innovations. All of these factors promoted a European expansion, which in turn provided another source of wealth for the European states. In 1918 the 30 year war began and didnt end until the signing of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. This year is usually marked as the birth of the modern state system and therefore referred to as the westphalian state system. The westphalian state has several key principles: 1. State sovereignty and the fundamental right of political self determination. 2. The principle of non intervention of one state in the internal affairs of another. 3. Territorial boundaries: integrity and inviolability of states territory 4. Collective security of this system balance of power The westphalian state as recognised by the peace of Westphalia has not remained unthreatened. Globalisation and NGOs have posed huge challenges to this traditional way of viewing the state system and this essay will explore some of these challenges and. One of the major challenges to the westphalian state system over recent years has been the process of globalisation whereby economic, political and socio-cultural transactions are less and less constrained by national boundaries and the sovereign authority of national governments. Two important processes are driving globalisation: 1. The continuing advancement of technology enabling the transnational movement of goods, people and ideas to become much easier. 2. National governments are less and less willing to exercise control over goods, people and ideas across their borders, therefore governments have become more inclined to surrender some of the control over cross-border transactions they once exercised by virtue of sovereign authority. Interdependence has been at the root of globalisation, with extensive new webs of interdependence creating a truly global system. As colonial empires dismantled and technology improved, fast changes towards globalisation occurred and interdependence rapidly increased. Globalisation has meant that national boundaries have become less and less relevant. Many scholars feel that continuing to view the world in terms of the traditional westphalian logic is not very useful due to contemporary interdependencies. They believe that these ideas are now outdated and a new and more modern approach which is more applicable to the world today should be adopted by governments. Globalisation is the increasing movement of goods, information and ideas across national boundaries without significant direct participation and control by high level governmental actors. This involves heavy participation by various non-state actors, in particular NGOs. Rosenau points out that NGOs are changing societal norms, challenging national governments, and linking up with counterparts in powerful transnational alliances. And they are muscling their way into high politics, such as arms control, banking, and trade that were previously dominated by the state This view calls into question the importance of sovereignty and national boundaries. Each state has become so permeable and open to outside influences therefore domestic and international politics are becoming indistinguishable. Some observers even argue that there is no neat hierarchical pattern of influence and authority therefore states are not necessarily the most powerful actors. These actors seek autonomy of action from states; therefore interdependence generates a new set of problems and demands on those with sovereign authority. Westphalian system is temporary as National economies are now increasingly interdependent. 1. Since ww2 international trade has consistently outpaced global production and almost all national economies have become more dependent on trade. 2. Growth in interdependence in financial flow 3. Multi-national corporations are responsible for the growth in foreign investment global economy is therefore becoming integrated. 4. More countries are adopting free-market approaches to economic development 5. Signing of international treaties on trade, foreign investment, currency convertibility Globalisation and the growth of transnational interactions in post the ww2 era has presented the sovereign state with new problems and challenges. What are these challenges? Can summarise using the three elements of keohane and nyes concept of complex interdependence. In the course of the 20th century, the Westphalian state system in Europe has gone global. Nations subjected to European imperialismà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬or rather, in most cases, Europeanized elites within those nationsà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬have aspired to the form of Europes sovereign nation-states, and have achieved ità ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬or rather, in many cases, have haplessly inherited it from colonial masters who lost the will to govern them. Ex-colonies tended to be extremely sensitive to anything that resembled imperialism in the years immediately after independence, and many protected their economic sovereignty by pursuing autarky, though more recently this trend has reversed. International organizations for example the UN, treaties, and economic globalization, have all begun to subtly constrain the states freedom of action, and therefore has eroded their jurisdiction from above. It must be pointed out here that jurisdictional boundaries make neither borders nor sovereignty. All polities are subdivided into smaller units for administrative purposes to some extent. These subdivisions imply jurisdictions with discrete boundaries. In federal systems, the subdivisions have some degree of autonomy themselves, in the sense that they have discretion in certain areas and cannot be over-ridden by the centre. Yet federal units are considered part of the federation and not separate sovereignties. Ever since the founding of the UN there have been restrictions on states sovereignty from above, on their right to engage in aggression against their neighbours for example. In the course of time, countries have signed up to more and more treaties which prevent them from, say, testing nuclear weapons, or abusing the rights of children. The UN and international treaties are notoriously weak, but they still create a conceptual puzzle: what is the difference between a sovereign polity which abrogates certain rights by international treaty and a federal unit which abrogates certain rights in favour of a federal government. This question is as old as the United Nations, as the name of the United Nations suggests; the UN embodies an aspiration towards some sort of world federation. Treaties mainly formed by the west but has most effect on developing nations. This is a shift towards a new regulatory state and fragmentation that challenges the traditional westphalian frame of sovereignty. New regulatory state is emerging in both developed and developing nations. With this fragmentation comes breakdown of traditional diplomatic domains and activities and also creation of new actors, new arenas and new fields of diplomatic activity all of which cut across traditional notion of Westphalian sovereignty. Shift towards fragmented state due to structural changes in global political economy. Internal sovereignty of state is being transformed by process of globalisation. The westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon due to the notion of failed states. A failed state can be defined as a state considered to have failed at some of the basic conditions and responsibilities of a sovereign government. The Fund for Peace (an independent US based non profit research and educational organisation), has characterised the failed state as follows: * loss of physical control of its territory, or of the monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force * erosion of legitimate authority to make collective decisions * an inability to provide reasonable public services * an inability to interact with other states as a full member of the international community These failed states generally have a central government that is so weak or ineffective that it has little or no control over its territory. Public services are not adequately provided for, there is widespread corruption and criminality, there is involuntary movement of population and there is economic decline. Since 2005 the United States think-tank, the Fund for Peace and the magazine Foreign Policy, publishes an annual index called the Failed States Index. The list only assesses sovereign states (determined by membership in the United Nations.)[3] The indexs ranks are based on twelve indicators of state vulnerability four social, two economic and six political. In 2009, of the worst 20 states, only Haiti could be considered to be a western state. All others belonged to the developing world. Such states lack legitimacy and find it difficult to exercise any control or power within their own borders. They often find themselves confronted by insurgents or rebels who are trying to overthrow them and replace the regime with a tyrannical dictatorship style of government. This may lead to neighbouring states taking advantage of the vulnerability caused by the domestic problems within a state and may therefore cause such states to collapse. Afghanistan can be taken as an example of this, when in 2001 it was invaded by the US to remove the Taliban regime. It is accepted that military action is appropriate if a state is seen to be neglecting its citizens and their basic human rights and allowing terrorist organisations to operate within its borders. This shows that states do not have the automatic rights of sovereignty and that certain obligations to the rest of the world must be upheld in line with international law. If they are found to be in conflict with international law then the result maybe military action taken by UN member states. In the majority of cases it is the developing countries which display the characteristics of failing states and it is the western nations that take action. This therefore supports the view that the westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon as it is the western states which are able to exercise their rights of sovereignty the most. It has been argued that although international law exists, as long as states adhere to this they will remain free from direct intervention from other states therefore their rights to sovereignty will not be compromised. Despite this it can be seen that sovereignty remains strongest in the so called super power nations. In conclusion it can be said that the westphalian state as recognised by the peace of Westphalia has not remained unchallenged and that these challenges have shown the westphalian system to be a temporary and western phenomenon. The key principles of the westphalian nation as stated above have been threatened by globalisation in particular and this has therefore led to the One of the major challenges to the westphalian state system over recent years has been the process of globalisation whereby economic, political and socio-cultural transactions are less and less constrained by national boundaries and the sovereign authority of national governments. . Many scholars feel that continuing to view the world in terms of the traditional westphalian logic is not very useful due to contemporary interdependencies. They believe that these ideas are now outdated and a new and more modern approach which is more applicable to the world today should be adopted by governments. Globalisation is the increasing movement of goods, information and ideas across national boundaries without significant direct participation and control by high level governmental actors. This involves heavy participation by various non-state actors, in particular NGOs. International organizations for example the UN, treaties, and economic globalization, have all begun to subtly constrain the states freedom of action, and therefore has eroded their jurisdiction from above. Ever since the founding of the UN there have been restrictions on states sovereignty from above, on their right to engage in aggression against their neighbours for example. In the course of time, countries have signed up to more and more treaties which prevent them from, say, testing nuclear weapons, or abusing the rights of children. The westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon due to the notion of failed states. These failed states generally have a central government that is so weak or ineffective that it has little or no control over its territory. Public services are not adequately provided for, there is widespread corruption and criminality, there is involuntary movement of population and there is economic decline. In the majority of cases it is the developing countries which display the characteristics of failing states and it is the western nations that take action. This therefore supports the view that the westphalian system can be considered to be a western phenomenon as it is the western states which are able to exercise their rights of sovereignty the most. It has been argued that although international law exists, as long as states adhere to this they will remain free from direct intervention from other states therefore their rights to sovereignty will not be compromised. Despite this it can be seen that sovereignty remains strongest in the so called super power nations.

The English Patient - Techniques :: essays research papers

The novel, The English Patient, by Michael Ondaajte constructs meaning through the use of tropes, images and symbolism, instead of merely portraying a linear set of events. There are many intertexual references, tropes of covering, which serve to create and strengthen meaning, as well as bold imagery, which erects another level of significance. Symbolism plays a vital role in the formation of meaning, with fire, religion, the English Patients body and the desert being essential to the founding concepts of the novel. The self-awareness of the novel, as well as the multiple relaying of one event, also assist is the creation of meaning. There are many intertexual references throughout the novel, all of which serve to create and reinforce meaning. The Histories by Herodotus is constantly referred to and is carried everywhere by the English Patient. It speaks of the enmity of East and West and their irreconcilable differences. â€Å"†¦wonderful deeds manifested by both Greeks and barbarians†¦together with reason why they fought one another.† This exert from The Histories shows that while both East and West can achieve great feats they can never achieve the greatest feat of all, overcoming their differences. This foreshadows the apocalyptic dropping of the A-bomb on Japan and Kips subsequent realisation of this enmity. This is a key notion in the novel and the continual references help to foreground these differences, particularly highlighting the treatment of Asian nations at the hands of the English, or Western nations. This harsh conduct on the behalf of the English is emphasized by the English Pati ents use of cigarette papers, covering the text, much the same way as the dominating English cover the culture of the Indians. The English Patient represents everything that is English; he is knowledgeable and â€Å"cultured†, able to speak on many â€Å"refined† topics. This trope of covering is symbolic of the dispossession of their language, and government, indeed the very burial of their culture, suffered by the Indians at the hands of the English. Herodotus’s Histories also draw parallels between the Katherine/English Patient love affair and that of Gyges and the Queen, as well as revealing the power of words. During Katharine’s telling of the story, the English Patient falls in love with her, the story can be seen as the mechanism for their love affair. It becomes clear that Katharine is the Queen, Clifton is Candules, while the English Patient is forced into the role of Gyges.

Shouldice Hospital Limited Abridged

3/26/2013 Shouldice  Hospital  Limited   (Abridged) Summary  of  case  discussion Indicators  of  success †¢ Profits – Revenue  =  7600  *  (320*4  +  650  +  300*20%)  =  $15  mil. – Costs  =  $8. 5  mil  for  hospital  +  $3. 5  for  clinic $ $ – Profits  =  $3  mil †¢ Word? of? mouth  advertising – Afraid  of  advertising  for  fear  of  generating  too  much  demand †¢ Backlog  of  demand – Currently  2400,  growing  at  100  /  6  mo. †¢ High  percentage  of  doctors  as  patients †¢ L Low  recurrence – 0. 8%  vs. 10%  at  other  hospitals †¢ Patients  reunions †¢ Low  employee  turnover 2 1 3/26/2013 Capacity  at  key  resources Examination – 6  rooms  x  3  patients/hr  x  3  hrs/day  (1? 4pm)  x  5days/wk  =  270   patients/wk †¢ Ope rating  rooms – 5  rooms  x  7hrs/day  x  5days/wk  x  1  patient  /(hr. room)  =  175   patients/wk †¢ Surgeons – 10  surgeons  x  1  patient/(hr. surgeon)  x  8  hrs/day  x  5  days/wk  =   400  patients/wk †¢ Rooms – Assume  patients  stay  for  4  nights,  and  level  demand – Number  of  patients  per  day  (Sun  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Thur)  =  89  rooms/4  =  22 – Capacity  =  5days/wk  x  22/day  =  110  patients/wk â€Å"Rooms†Ã‚  is  the  bottleneck. So  indeed  capacity  expansion,  if  any,  should  start  with  this  resource.Notice  that  this  processing  rate  does  not  add  up  to  7600  patients  per  year  that  Shouldice  is   handling. Possible  reasons:  patients  stay  for  fewer  nights,  or  they  admit  more  patients  toward   the  end  of  week,  or  there  is  an  Ã¢â‚¬Å"overflow†Ã‚  area  in  the  hospital. 3 Why  patients  like  Shouldice? †¢ Low  price – $1990  (excluding  travel)  vs. $5240  at  other  hospitals †¢ Low  recurrence  rate †¢ Facilities/decor – Investments  made  in  assets  such  as  carpeting,  common  areas  (the   Florida  room  e. g. ),  low  stairs,  nice  grounds. †¢ Socialization/ambiance Schedule  patients  with  similar  backgrounds  in  the  same  room – Group  activities  (e. g. ,  tea  and  cookies)  to  alleviate  anxiety  and  build   p relationships – Create  pleasant,  non? hospital? like  atmosphere †¢ Fast  recovery – Days  vs. weeks  at  other  hospitals – Early  ambulation  (confidence,  medical  benefits) 4 2 3/26/2013 Why  employees  like  Shouldice? â⠂¬ ¢ Doctors – Regular  hours,  on  call  but  rarely  called g , y – Good  pay – Low  risk  surgery,  opportunity  to  be  the  best  in  class †¢ Nurses – Minimal  physical  assistance – Counseling  activities,  instead  of  changing  Ã‚  bedpans Staff – Cross  training,  helping  each  other – Interactions  (e. g. ,  in  dining  room) – Strong  concern  for  employees,  nobody  is  fired 5 The  focused  factory  model †¢ A  narrow  market  segment  (a  simple  type  of  hernia  repair),  ensured  by  a   careful  screening  process †¢ An innovative procedure that emphasizes early ambulation which leads to An  innovative  procedure  that  emphasizes  early  ambulation  which  leads  to   quick  recovery †¢ Standardized  procedure,  not  to  be  varied †¢ Patient s  are  basically  well,  allowing  demand  to  be  inventoried  (and  thus   easy  scheduling) †¢ Family? tyle  management  allows  a  highly  specialized  workforce  to   â€Å"decompress,†Ã‚  leading  to  happy  employees  with  low  turnover †¢ Low  investments  by  sharing  resources  (e. g. ,  anesthetists,  nurses) †¢ Help patients help themselves (e g tea and cookies to mix pre? operative Help  patients  help  themselves  (e. g. ,  tea  and  cookies  to  mix  pre? operative   patients  with  post? operative  patients) †¢ Attention  to  details:  no  TV  in  room;  carpeting;  low? rise  stairs  for  easy   walking;  walk  from  the  operating  table;  gardens;  good  food,  etc. 3 3/26/2013 Options  for  capacity  expansion †¢ Saturday  operations – Pros:  no  investment – Cons:  in terferes  with  regular  work  schedules †¢ Invest  to  build  more  rooms – Pros:  keep  regular  work  schedules – Cons:  heavy  utilization  of  other  resources †¢ Another  hospital – Pros:  there  is  a  market  (1  million  hernia  operations  a  year   ( p y in  the  U. S. ),  save  travel  costs  for  patients – Cons:  Quality  control? Sources  of  doctors. †¢ Another  procedure – What? Expertise? Markets? Too  many  questions.Most  students  chose  either  the  second  or  the  third  options. 7 Key  learning  points †¢ The  focused  factory  approach  leads  to  more   added  value  (and  thus  higher  competitive   added value (and thus higher competitive advantage):  it  increases  the  customer’s   willingness? to? pay  and  lowers  the  cost,  at  the   same  time. †¢ The  devil  is  in  the  details:  many  operational   details,  although  seemingly  routine  and  minute,   play  an  important  role  in  shaping  strategic   decisions  (such  as  capacity  expansion  here). 8 4

Romeo and Mercutio Essays - 1132 Words

Throughout the works of William Shakespeare, the main character is complemented with another character that acts or serves as the protagonists foil. In Romeo Juliet, the protagonist, Romeo, is fickle, idealistic, impractical and naà ¯ve. To balance Romeo as a character, Shakespeare creates Mercutio; a good friend of Romeos who acts as his conscience. While Romeo has an idealistic perspective of the world and more specifically of love, Mercutio balances Romeos weak points as a dreamer. Mercutio is pragmatic, sensible, and clever and a master on word play. Throughout the play, Mercutio mocks Romeos naà ¯ve and ridiculous fascination with love. Early in the play, Romeo goes on and on about his deep infatuation with the beautiful Rosaline.†¦show more content†¦These two characters exist on a two different spectrums. This scene reinforces that while Romeo is a dreamer; Mercutio is the sensible character of the two and helps to keep Romeo as a character grounded and rational. W hen Romeo tells Mercutio that he Â…talkst of nothing, Mercutio responds by saying that dreamsÂ…are the children of an idle brain. (Scene 1, Act 4) After the ball and after Romeo lays his eyes on Juliet, Romeo decides that he cannot possibly return home. He decides to climb the wall that surrounds the Capulet property and search for Juliet. Mercutio and Benvolio try to find Romeo to no avail. Mercutio mocks Romeos ridiculous and fickle obsession with love, Nay, Ill conjure too. Romeo! Humours! Madman! Passion! Lover! Appear thou in the likeness of a sigh: Speak but one rhyme, and I am satisfied; Cry but Ay me! pronounce but love and dove; Speak to my gossip Venus one fair wordÂ… I conjure thee by Rosalines bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg and quivering thigh And the demesnes that there adjacent lie, That in thy likeness thou appear to us! (Act 2, Scene 1) Benvolio warns Mercutio that if Romeo could hear, thou wilt anger him. (Act 2, Scene 1) It is evident in this scene that Mercutio sees Romeos love as fickle as he was droning on and on about hisShow MoreRelatedRomeo and Juliet Character Analysis - Mercutio1427 Words   |  6 Pagescreated some of the most dynamic and interesting characters in written history, and in Romeo and Juliet there were several memorable ones. Aside from the hero and heroine, the voluble and witty Mercutio is as memorable a character as is found in all of Shakespeares plays. H e acts as a significant character in terms of plot advancement; but more importantly, Mercutio himself is a fascinating man in many aspects. Mercutio is not part of the Montague family, he is however a friend of Romeos and relatedRead MoreEssay The Memorable Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet890 Words   |  4 Pages The Memorable Mercutio Shakespeare created many incredible plays during his lifetime: tragedies, comedies and histories. One of Shakespeares most famous plays is the tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Furthermore, one of his greatest creations, as well as most memorable character, lies within the pages of this tale. Although he died early on, Mercutio spent his time entertaining the audience with every act and word. Throughout Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio displays notable acts of witty humor, loyalty andRead MoreEssay on Relationship between Mercutio and Romeo577 Words   |  3 PagesRelationship between Mercutio and Romeo The character of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet plays an important role in providing humour. He can draw a number of comparisons and contrasts to other characters with his quick wit and upbeat attitude. His relationship with Romeo is made interesting by the fact that he is neither a Montague nor Capulet, but a neutral in the rivalry of the two houses. Mercutio is a spontaneous, wild and energetic character, â€Å"Nay gentle Romeo, we must haveRead More Mercutio as Catalyst in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet2317 Words   |  10 PagesMercutio as Catalyst in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, the quick-witted character Mercutio â€Å"is a notorious scene-stealer† (Utterback 105). Mercutio’s major function in the play is to be a catalyst for the plot. Mercutio’s purpose as a character is most significantly revealed in his relationship with Romeo, his baiting of Tybalt, and his death. More importantly, Mercutio functions as the catalyst for the pattern of disasters in theRead MoreThe Importance of Mercutio to the Plot and Action of Romeo and Juliet509 Words   |  3 PagesThe Importance of Mercutio to the Plot and Action of Romeo and Juliet I believe that, although Mercutio is introduced to the play quite late and his death occurs not too long after, much of the plays action, interesting dialogue and comic relief revolves around him, making Mercutio quite a central character. It is Mercutio who inadvertently brings the two lovers together for the first time when he lures Romeo to the gathering at Lord Capulets residence Read MoreA Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet Essays1251 Words   |  6 PagesA Comparison of Mercutio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet For this assignment I intend to write and discuss the differences and similarities of two characters portrayed in the play Romeo and Juliet. As well as describing and analysing them I will also show how these characters are presented in two adaptations of films by two different directors Zeffirelli and Lurhmann. These two characters are Mercutio and Tybalt; both characters play an important role as they both affect Read More The Roles of Nurse and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet Essay819 Words   |  4 PagesMercutio and Nurse, the companions of Romeo and Juliet, do not fully understand true love. Their outlook on life and sex is quite different from the two main characters. This variation is intended to be, and is what makes them comical characters. Nurse and Mercutio are parallel because they both supply the personality in â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† that is not possessed by the two main characters. The aspect that is shown by Romeo and Juliet is love. Nurse and Mercutio provide the humor throughout the playRead MoreThe Significance of Mercutio in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1961 Words   |  8 PagesThe Significance of Mercutio in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet is about two lovers whose families are at war and how the two overcome the family feud for their love for each other. Mercutio is one of the central characters in the play; he is one of the princes kinsmen and is best friend to Romeo of the Montague household. The name Mercutio is derived for the word mercurial which means eloquent, active and changeable; Mercutio is all three because Read MoreThe Role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet Essay examples528 Words   |  3 PagesThe Role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet In William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, each character plays a specific role in driving the action forward and shaping the plays theme. One secondary character, Mercutio, is essential to the play. Mercutio is the Princes kinsman, but more importantly, he is Romeos friend and confidant. Mercutios concern is always for Romeo and for peace between the two families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Mercutio is the firstRead MoreEssay on Mercutio of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1389 Words   |  6 PagesMercutio of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Although the story of Romeo and Juliet does not focus on Mercutio, to many, he is one of the most interesting characters in literature. His name puns on the word mercurial which meansunpredictably changeable. His unsteady behavior makes him wise beyond his intentions. Arecurring trend in Shakespeare’s plays is the existence of a witty fool and many foolish wits. People such as Romeo, Friar Laurence, and Capulet are people who are made out to be