In act 3 scene 1, both Mercutio and Tybalt are in the mood for a fight. What are the similarities and differences between Mercutio and Tybalt? How are we prepared for their reactions in earlier scenes and what impact does the fight have on the rest of the play?
In the first two acts of the play, Shakespeare has tried to describe Mercutios and Tybalts actions and characters. They are both similar in some ways, they are aggressive, dynamic and both enjoy fighting. Tybalt of the Capulets seems like a leader and never backs down. Mercutio also acts like like a leader but for his own house, the Montagues. Each one is proud of their own house and feels that if anybody goes against them then they will act aggressively towards them. Both are as equally competitive and they are very popular within their house.
However, there are quite a few differences between the two:
Tybalts name in Elizabethan times was used for a cat. In those days cats were dangerous and were used for fighting. We can see by this that Tybalts name is clearly similar to his character. He is described as 'a man with few words' this is because Tybalt likes to react with actions more often than he does with words. He is an unpleasant character and feels as though fighting is the best answer for everything. Tybalts first words towards Benvolio were, "Turn thee, Benvolio, and look upon thy death" this command towards Benvolio is full of violence and he feels threatened by it. Another outburst from Tybalt was when Benvolio again tries and stops the quarrelling. "Peace? I hate the word. As I hate hell all Montagues and thee." This just shows how offensive and forceful Tybalt really is. He does not like to back down and always tries to be the centre of attention. The word hate is used twice, this is repetition. "Hate" is a negative word, and therefore again this shows Tybalts hostile side.
In the first two acts of the play, Shakespeare has tried to describe Mercutios and Tybalts actions and characters. They are both similar in some ways, they are aggressive, dynamic and both enjoy fighting. Tybalt of the Capulets seems like a leader and never backs down. Mercutio also acts like like a leader but for his own house, the Montagues. Each one is proud of their own house and feels that if anybody goes against them then they will act aggressively towards them. Both are as equally competitive and they are very popular within their house.
However, there are quite a few differences between the two:
Tybalts name in Elizabethan times was used for a cat. In those days cats were dangerous and were used for fighting. We can see by this that Tybalts name is clearly similar to his character. He is described as 'a man with few words' this is because Tybalt likes to react with actions more often than he does with words. He is an unpleasant character and feels as though fighting is the best answer for everything. Tybalts first words towards Benvolio were, "Turn thee, Benvolio, and look upon thy death" this command towards Benvolio is full of violence and he feels threatened by it. Another outburst from Tybalt was when Benvolio again tries and stops the quarrelling. "Peace? I hate the word. As I hate hell all Montagues and thee." This just shows how offensive and forceful Tybalt really is. He does not like to back down and always tries to be the centre of attention. The word hate is used twice, this is repetition. "Hate" is a negative word, and therefore again this shows Tybalts hostile side.
