Mercutio does not take life as seriously as Romeo does. He is joking around while Romeo is very depressed about his love being gone. In this way Marcutio is Romeos foil. In act 1 scene 4 Mercutio says "Nay, gentle Romeo,we must have you dance." Romeo replies "Not I, believe me. You have dancing shoes With nimble soles; I have a soul of lead So stakes me to the ground I cannot move." This is an example of there contrast.