Explain the irony of romeos intervention in the Mercutio/Tybalt fight?

I checked your profile. You really shouldn't need to ask four questions in a row about that play if you've tried to do your own homework.





This one time, you get a freebie. Romeo was standing between Tybalt and Mercutio when Tybalt stabbed Mercutio. He (Tybalt) aimed under Romeo's arm.





Since Mercutio was a friend of Romeo's, he probably wouldn't have tried to harm Tybalt while Romeo stood between them, in case he injured Romeo instead. This put Mercutio at a disadvantage in the fight.





Irony: if Romeo hadn't intervened, Mercutio would have been able to fight back.





Second irony: Mercutio was already antagonising Tybalt before Romeo arrived on the scene. They might have fought even if he wasn't there - the fight wasn't really his business. Partially his responsibility, yes, for getting Tybalt all stirred up, but not his business.





Please at least read the play, or a summary of the play, or something. You're not learning anything by just posting questions on Yahoo.