‘You are a saucy boy-…’
This is said by Capulet when Tybalt opposes his request.
‘More than Prince of Cats, I can tell you. O, he is the courageous captain of compliments.’
Mercutio describes Tybalt to be a good fighter and a ‘master of formalities’.
Tybalt’s character contributes to the tragedy, as it would not have occurred, had it not been for Tybalt’s desire to fight against Romeo. I claim this because, Romeo is known to have a good reputation amongst Verona and even Capulet himself claims Romeo to be a ‘well-govern’d youth’ and so if any other Capulet would have spot Romeo, they wouldn’t have gotten so offended and afraid of family honour being put down. However, in Tybalt’s case he sends a challenge to Romeo. This is the major factor of the tragedy as Tybalt kills Mercutio leading to Romeo killing Tybalt and so he is exiled.
Tybalt’s character can also be reflected in his language in certain aspects. He calls Romeo and greets him with the word ‘villain’ which at the time was considered a very offensive word to high ranking people. This shows his aggression. He is also a very straight to the point character.
‘Tybalt: Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this- though are a villain.’
This quote supports my claim. He greets Romeo and says straight to his face you are a villain with out explanation, even though Romeo has thrown no verbal offence to him. It almost shows his eagerness to create a fight.
Tybalt is also slow in words, which contrasts with Mercutio who is quick witted and often plays with Tybalt’s words.
‘Tybalt: Mercutio, thou consort’st with Romeo-
Mercutio: Consort! What, does thou make us minstrels? …’
Here Tybalt claims he wants a word with Romeo however Mercutio interrupts and twists his words deliberately using the other definition of consort, a company of hired musicians.
Tybalt gives a great amount of dramatic impact towards the audience. His first entrance creates a great amount of expectations of his character.
‘Tybalt: What! Drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Have at thee, coward!’
This is a very straight forward point, showing how he hates Montagues and peace. We expect him to be more of the fight starter than the peace maker.
Next the audience see him at a party where he spots Romeo and is forced not to harm him by his uncle.
‘Tybalt: Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting
Makes my flesh tremble in their different greeting.
I will withdraw; but this intrusion shall
Now seeming sweet covert to bitterest gall.’
This quote gives the audience a sense of foreboding of what Tybalt is going to do and gives thrill to the story. The suspense is broken down by the romantic first kiss that plays straight after, which shows a contrast from action and suspense to romance. However there is a shadow over the romance which the audience are aware of, though the lovers are not causing dramatic irony.
After Tybalt’s harsh threat his next entrance affects the audience in a way that they know something is going to happen. This gives thrill and suspense through out the audience right after the marriage of Romeo and Juliet.
Tybalt’s character is shown in the first scene where he encourages the fighting, causing a commotion on the street rather than helping Benvolio end it. This was thought of as bad offence, showing disorder, which Elizabethan thoroughly did not support. As the Prince enters he claims;
‘Prince: …Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
By thee, Old Capulet and Montague,
Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets…’
This quote shows that the Prince has separated 3 fights that have spread out on Verona streets from the same people, and yet they carried on fighting. Benvolio was trying to break the fight, however, Tybalt, aware of the Princes’ warnings, decides to fight anyway. This shows his aggressive character. Even though the Prince warns that their lives with pay if they fight again, he sends a duel to Romeo. This shows his disregard to the Prince, which at the time, was considered sent from God himself, making Tybalt look as if he considers himself too superior to follow rules. This could be considering the families are high ranking and he believes the laws do not apply to them. Nevertheless, it shows arrogance in his character.
‘Capulet: Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone…
Show a fair presence and put off these frowns,
An ill-beseeming semblance to our guest.’
Tybalt: It fits when such a villain is a guest;
I’ll not endure him.’
This quote is at a party where Tybalt informs Capulet that a Montague, Romeo, is present at the party. He, disobeying his uncle shows disorder and once again arrogance, believing he doesn’t have to take orders from anyone including a kinsman.
The reason, I believe, Tybalt does not listen to the rules and obey orders made is because he thrills to the whole feud between the families. Out of all the Capulets and Montagues we read of Tybalt has to be the most enthusiastic and defensive over his family honour. Even though the reason for the feud is not told and it happens to be a very old one Tybalt contributes to it, excluding the fact that he’s young and has nothing to do with how it got started. This tells us anger and hate towards each family is bred in the family and children are trained to believe the other is an enemy. The youth were the people who carried on the feud and were to pass it on to their children. The feud causes untimely death though of 5 youths, Tybalt, eventually dies by being so tied up in the feud, Romeo, Paris, who is dragged into feud even though has nothing to do with it, Mercutio, who is not included in the feud either and Juliet. These deaths cause the end of the feud.
In conclusion I believe that Tybalt contributes a great amount towards the tragedy by encouraging the feud. His characteristics are the main cause to his actions and if Tybalt would have been a little more calmer and less aggressive Romeo would not have killed him and become exiled, which in consequence leads to the tragedy.