Mercutio and Benvolio are wandering the streets of Verona. Benvolio is trying to persuade Mercutio to get out of the sun; it’s a hot day, and the Capulets are roaming around. However, Mercutio teases the peaceful Benvolio, calling him a hothead.

They’re interrupted when the Capulets arrive. Mercutio, still in a temper, starts verbally sparring with Tybalt, trying to provoke him. Tybalt doesn’t want to fight Mercutio; instead, he’s after Romeo, and when Romeo arrives, Tybalt challenges him to a fight. Newlywed Romeo has no interest in fighting his wife’s cousin and tries to make peace. However, this only enrages Tybalt—and Mercutio too, who sees Romeo’s refusal to fight as capitulation.

Mercutio calls out to Tybalt: “Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?” (III.1.76). The two fight. Benvolio and Romeo try to separate them, and in the confusion, Tybalt mortally wounds Mercutio. Mercutio speaks of his injuries and dies cursing the houses of Capulet and Montague alike:

No, [the wound is] not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but ’tis enough. ’Twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow, and you will find me a grave man.