Is mercutio a essential part to the story Romeo and Juliet?

Mercutio's role is instrumental in setting the stage for the plot of Romeo and Juliet. His involvement in the story highlights the consequences of impulsiveness and the escalation of conflict, emphasizing the tragic flaws of the main characters. However, one could argue that while he is a significant character, he is not absolutely essential to the central plotline of Romeo and Juliet's tragic romance.