In both of the film versions by the BBC production and Baz Luhrmann’s, Tybalt seems very calm and sure of himself. This is more so in Baz Luhrmann’s version. This may be because it was produced more recently, therefore it is easier for people of my generation to understand, and interpret
From all three versions of Romeo and Juliet, which I have studied, it seems that the Montague’s are a lot more peaceful, as opposed to the Capulet's.
Benvolio, Romeo’s cousin does not wish to fight with Tybalt, “ ‘ I do but keep the peace.”’
As does Romeo wish to keep the peace later on in the play “ ‘ … villain am I none; therefore I farewell, I see thou knowestme not.”’ Romeo never has done and does not wish to fight with Tybalt. However in this particular scene Romeo’s wishes not to fight are stronger as he is now married to Juliet and therefore related to Tybalt.
Tybalt is a strong character and has an important role in the play. Tyblat’s actions and outrage begin the terrible tragedies, which lay ahead for Romeo and Juliet. Due to Tybalt’s wish to harm Romeo, and his lack of self-discipline, Tybalt kills Mercutio, (Romeo’s best friend.) As he is dying Mercutio’s last words are ‘ “ A plague on both your houses.”’ Mercutio is not related to either family, and is simply caught in the middle.
This triggers Romeo’s actions, as he is so distraught at his best friends unnecessary death, his pain turns into anger and Romeo goes in search of Tybalt. Romeo is confused and upset when he finds Tybalt; he kills him without thinking of the consequences.
Had Tybalt not have gone looking to fight with Romeo, Romeo would have kept the peace for the sake of Juliet if nothing else.
Due to these actions, Romeo and Juliet’s life goes into a downward spiral. As the Prince of Verona states earlier on in the play, if any more trouble was caused on his streets by either of the families, the penalty would be death. However, Romeo narrowly escapes this penalty, and instead is punished with banishment. This is down to the fact that Prince knew that usually Romeo is never violent, Benvolio also helped Romeo escape death by explaining the events of that night, ‘ “ Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay.”’
When Juliet discovers that her newly wed, has been banished, she is distraught. The fact that her cousin Tybalt had been murdered, and by her husband, she is confused and does not know who to grieve for. ‘ “ Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband?’” She soon comes to realise that if it had not been Romeo who killed Tybalt, it would have been Tybalt who’d have killed Romeo.
Juliet sees no way out as she believes there is no way of being with her beloved Romeo, especially now that her father has arranged for her to be married to Paris. Juliet is confused and upset, she feels that she has nowhere to turn, so she visits Friar Lawrence. A suicidal Juliet is longing for Romeo and does not want to live without him. Friar Lawrence sees how sure Juliet is of killing herself, and offers her a way out. He hands her a potion which will enable her to appear dead, cold and shut down.
Juliet is willing and the night before her arranged wedding she takes the potion. Instead of a wedding the Capulet’s experience a funeral. The letter sent to Romeo, to tell him of the circumstances and that his wife will be joining him soon, is never received; however news of Juliet’s death is.
Romeo rushes back to Verona to be with his wife, he is chased by police and is hunted down, but he manages to get into the tomb where Juliet lays. Still under the influence that Juliet is dead, Romeo takes a deadly potion. At this point Juliet wakes, unfortunately it is too late. As she discovers Romeo, she then kills herself.
All three plays studied have the same plot. However Baz Luhrmanns version is based more on today’s times, where Juliet, and Romeo and Tybalt both use guns instead of swords.
In conclusion I agree that Tybalt was the catalyst for the tragic consequences, although other people had a part to play in the deaths, such as Lord Capulet for forcing Juliet to marry Paris, and Friar Lawrence for supplying the potion to Juliet and not to forget the on going feud itself. However most of these events would not have taken place if it were not for Tybalt’s constant urge to kill Romeo.
If the death of Tybalt had not have taken place, Lord Montague and Lord Capulet may have acted the way Friar Lawrence had seen it, by discovering the marriage of Romeo and Juliet they may have called a truce and have resolved the feud.
Tybalt, a fiery character, unintentionally killed his beloved cousin Juliet, Lady Monatague, who committed suicide as she learned of her son’s death. Finally Romeo, who unfortunately Tybalt did intend his death.
If Tybalts rage had not got out of hand these tragic consequences would not have taken place, and Romeo and Juliet may have lived a very happy marriage together.
