Mercutio is killed by Tybalt in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. During a confrontation, Tybalt challenges Romeo to a fight, but Romeo refuses because he has secretly married Juliet and now considers Tybalt family. Mercutio, angered by Romeo's refusal, accepts the challenge instead. As Romeo tries to intervene and stop the duel between Mercutio and Tybalt, Tybalt fatally stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm. Mercutio dies from the wound, cursing both the Montague and Capulet families for his death
. This event is pivotal, as it leads Romeo to avenge Mercutio by killing Tybalt, which results in Romeo's banishment from Verona
