Tybalt Capulet in Romeo and Juliet
Tybalt Capulet is Juliet's cousin. He is extremely feisty and enjoys the conflict between the Montagues and his family. He is strong-willed, argumentative, passionate and loyal. All of these characteristics are demonstrated when he finds out that Romeo has gate-crashed a Capulet party, knowing that the Montagues are not welcome. Tybalt reacts badly, almost causing a fight at the Capulet household. Lord Capulet quickly intervenes and tells Tybalt not to fight Romeo and Tybalt reluctantly obeys. Tybalt seeks his revenge by fighting with Romeo, but when Romeo refuses to fight he kills Romeo's best friend, Mercutio, instead. This causes Romeo to avenge his best friend's death.
| How is Tybalt like this? | Evidence | Analysis | |
| Argumentative | Tybalt is argumentative when he speaks to any of the Montague family. He fuels the conflict and rift between the two families. When he seeks Romeo for a fight, he is argumentative when Romeo refuses to fight him. | "Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw." | This shows Tybalt's anger towards Romeo. The fact that Tybalt is calling Romeo a 'boy' is an insult and illustrates how Tybalt is instigating the conflict, wanting Romeo to react to the insult. Tybalt is also being instructive in this quotation, telling Romeo that he must 'turn and draw.' This also illustrates how Tybalt is passionate and likes to be in control. |
| Loyal | As Romeo has gate-crashed the Capulet party, Tybalt believes that he is dishonouring the family name. He mentions this to Lord Capulet, however, Lord Capulet tells Tybalt to leave Romeo alone. Despite Tybalt's nature, he is loyal to his Uncle and obeys. | "Why, uncle, 'tis a shame." | This shows that Tybalt is listening to his Uncle and obeying his orders. The fact that Tybalt says it is a 'shame' illustrates that Tybalt doesn't agree with Lord Capulet, however, because he is loyal towards his family, he will obey. |
| Argumentative | |
|---|---|
| How is Tybalt like this? | Tybalt is argumentative when he speaks to any of the Montague family. He fuels the conflict and rift between the two families. When he seeks Romeo for a fight, he is argumentative when Romeo refuses to fight him. |
| Evidence | "Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw." |
| Analysis | This shows Tybalt's anger towards Romeo. The fact that Tybalt is calling Romeo a 'boy' is an insult and illustrates how Tybalt is instigating the conflict, wanting Romeo to react to the insult. Tybalt is also being instructive in this quotation, telling Romeo that he must 'turn and draw.' This also illustrates how Tybalt is passionate and likes to be in control. |
| Loyal | |
|---|---|
| How is Tybalt like this? | As Romeo has gate-crashed the Capulet party, Tybalt believes that he is dishonouring the family name. He mentions this to Lord Capulet, however, Lord Capulet tells Tybalt to leave Romeo alone. Despite Tybalt's nature, he is loyal to his Uncle and obeys. |
| Evidence | "Why, uncle, 'tis a shame." |
| Analysis | This shows that Tybalt is listening to his Uncle and obeying his orders. The fact that Tybalt says it is a 'shame' illustrates that Tybalt doesn't agree with Lord Capulet, however, because he is loyal towards his family, he will obey. |