To what extent is Tybalt responsible for the tragedy of Romeo And Juliet?

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Shakespeare Coursework – Romeo & Juliet

To what extent is Tybalt responsible for the tragedy of Romeo       And Juliet?

        ‘Romeo and Juliet is the tragic story of a pair of ‘star-crossed lovers’ whose deaths are brought to them for the love they shared. Many characters played an important role in their deaths but the character Tybalt, the cousin of Juliet, was the most responsible for their deaths as he was a pivotal character and his actions results in Romeo and Juliet’s deaths.

        From the moment Tybalt is introduces to us the audience can tell he is obsessed with the on-going feud between his family, the Capulet’s and the rival family, the Montague’s. This is proved in act 1 scene 5, the Capulet’s party he spots Romeo and Mercutio mingling with the Capulets.

‘This by his voice should be a Montague’ (I, V) this proves that Tybalt has become obsessed with his enemies because he has leaned to distinguish them from his family just by their voices.  This also shows that he looks out for his enemies because even though a Capulet party would be the least obvious place for a Montague to be, Tybalt still suspects that Romeo is there. Later on the play it is shown that Tybalt is obsessed with Romeo more than any other Montague.

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In act 3, scene 1 Tybalt goes looking for Romeo in order to get revenge on him for attending his party. He finds Mercutio instead, however he does not want to fight Mercutio and when Romeo enters he makes it clear that Romeo is the one he is after. ‘Well, peace be with you, sir, here comes my man’ (Tybalt, Act 3, scene 1) this shows that he has nothing against Mercutio and his problem is only with the Montague. Tybalt is only obsessed with Romeo because he is a Montague as Mercutio was at the party yet Tybalt doesn’t ...

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