Romeo and Juliet
takes up the challenges himself. Benvolio tries to make peace and reminds everyone of the
Prince's decree. In the ensuing swordplay, Romeo attempts to allay Mercutio's anger,
momentarily placing his arm around him. By doing so, however, Romeo inadvertently pulls
Mercutio into Tybalt's rapier, fatally wounding him. Mercutio dies, wishing "a plague a'both
your houses," before he passes. Romeo, in his anger, pursues and slays Tybalt. Although
under the Prince of Verona's proclamation Romeo (and Montague and Capulet, as well)
would be subject to the death penalty, the Prince instead fines the head of each house, and
reduces Romeo's punishment to exile in recognition that Tybalt had killed Mercutio, who had
not only been Romeo's friend but a kinsman of the Prince. Romeo is then exiled to Mantua
after attempting to see Juliet one last time.
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