How Does Tybalt Fight In Romeo And Juliet

The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is one of the most popular tragedies and pieces of literature in the modern world. However, most people fail to recognize the butterfly effect of decisions that some side characters make that lead to major and sometimes catastrophic events in the story. One of these characters, for example, is Tybalt. Even in the character descriptions at the beginning of the story, Tybalt is described as having a short temper and often has his pride hurt easily. Tybalt Capulet is a dangerous and unpredictable character who causes most of the conflict in The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet because of the way he was raised and his prideful behavior.

Even early in the story, Tybalt seems to have inherited a knack

Early in the first act, Tybalt finds someone in the streets whom he considers to be his enemy: a Montague. This person is Benvolio, and Tybalt finds himself in a heated argument with him. In a moment of rage and frustration, Tybalt says to Benvolio, “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (1.1.63-65). To provide some context, Tybalt is a part of the Capulet family, and Capulets frequently feud with the Montague family. A large chunk of Tybalt’s upbringing most likely consisted of his elders educating him on reasons not to respect Montagues. Tybalt finds himself in another situation where he is the instigator of a fight a little later in the story. When Tybalt recognizes Romeo at the Capulet Ball through the sound

Many of the readers of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet identify Tybalt as the main antagonist due to his unrelenting drive to prove himself, and he often does this by starting fights or being the cause of them. After the Capulet Ball, Tybalt confronts Romeo in a rather unprofessional manner, “Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford/No better term than this: thou art a villain.” (3.1.56-57). Tybalt approaches Romeo and claims that he is a villain, all because, in Tybalt’s eyes, Romeo had interrupted his party in the days prior and caused Tybalt to make a fool of himself in front of Capulet. At the end of this particular situation, Tybalt ends up killing Romeo’s good friend, Mercutio. At first, Romeo does not desire to fight Tybalt, but now does because his friend is dead. When Romeo says to Tybalt that he wishes to fight, Tybalt exclaims, “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here/ Shalt with him hence.” (3.1.126-127). At first upon reading this quote, I was confused because the older English is difficult to understand, but Tybalt is basically saying that Romeo shall join Mercutio in heaven at the end of the fight. This is quite a bold statement, and furthermore supports the narrative that Tybalt wants to fight to defend his pride at all costs. At the end of the fight, however, Romeo ends up murdering Tybalt, so one could say Tybalt’s pride was the downfall of