This question is based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In Romeo and Juliet, the major role of Mercutio is to

Analyze the question: It asks about Mercutio's major role in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The options are garbled, but we can still work out what each one means.

Concept: Mercutio is Romeo's close friend and a kinsman of Prince Escalus. He is witty and fiery, and he is famous for the Queen Mab speech. He accompanies Romeo to the Capulet feast, and he teases Romeo about love. He is killed by Tybalt when he fights in Romeo's place, and his death drives the tragedy forward. Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge and is banished.

Evaluating the options:

• A. Mercutio does not praise Juliet to Count Paris. Paris is a suitor chosen by Capulet, and Mercutio has no such role.
• B. Mercutio does taunt Tybalt, and the quarrel leads to the duel. But this is an incident in the plot, not his main role in the play.
• C. "Take another wife" has no connection to Mercutio. He is unmarried and has no marriage plot.
• D. "Serve as an assistance (assistant/ally) to Romeo" fits best. Mercutio is Romeo's companion, confidant and defender, and his death on Romeo's behalf is the turning point of the play.

The wording is poor, since "assistance" should read "assistant" or "support", but D is clearly the intended answer.

Exam tip: In JAMB Literature, when a character question is vague, choose the option that describes the character's relationship to the protagonist. Mercutio is the friend and foil to Romeo, and his death is the pivot of the plot.