Being deeply rooted in the fantastic causes one's view on normal life to be clouded and distorted. Consequently being unable to grasp a situation and take responsibility for it indicates imminent disaster. This is certainly the case in Shakespeare's tragedy, Romeo and Juliet where brash endeavors with Fate as the supposed driving force, ultimately send a pair of lovers to their deaths. Imbued with a biting wit and devilish cleverness, it seems Shakespeare intended Mercutio as Romeo's stimulus to see beyond superstitious fantasies and break free of fate, as demonstrated by Mercutio's stance on his friend's precognitive dreams and his last words.

Upon the audience's introduction to Mercutio, he makes the first of many attempts to jostle Romeo from what he views as fantastic imaginings about divine intervention and dreams. Romeo has had a dream foretelling of some great disaster if he should attend the Capulet banquet. True...