How Does Tybalt Mature In Romeo And Juliet

Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet, has characters that range from the care-free Mercutio, the love-stricken Romeo, and several other personalities that fall in between. Tybalt, Juliet’s cousin, is a vicious fighter who will duel anyone to release some of the unexplained rage that he keeps inside. The Montagues are the family that pushes his hatred over the top and when they cross his path, he is always quick to challenge them to a fight. Other than where the Montagues are concerned, the source of his hot-headed temper remains a mystery to those that know him. If closely examined, however, Tybalt’s character could be explained through a few key observations.

Tybalt only makes three appearances in the play before he is struck down by

I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (1.1.67-69). As a result, a battle ensues which gains the attention of the prince. Two of Tybalt’s other fights also happen in a public place, which could suggest that the presence of other people serve to fuel his hatred for the Montagues. Since all of his battles are in the view of other people, it’s as though he feels compelled to prove himself to others because no one else will pay attention to him. The second time Tybalt appears is when he approaches his uncle, Lord Capulet, at the Capulet party to warn him of the presence of Romeo who is a member of the Montague family. Tybalt approaches him to ask him if he can get rid of Romeo, however, his uncle tells him to endure Romeo. Tybalt begins to argue with his uncle but his uncle continues to ignore his pleas to kill Romeo, causing Tybalt to storm

He, assisted by Mercutio, was the spark that set the Montagues and Capulets completely against each other. During the party, Tybalt’s uncle was aware that a Montague was at his party, but he didn’t mind; only Tybalt was bothered. Later, when Tybalt kills Mercutio, it sets Romeo into a fit of rage, resulting in Tybalt’s death. Romeo takes all the blame for both deaths since Tybalt is slain, causing a chain reaction that forced the Montagues and the Capulets into a seething battle. Tybalt’s own death was the beginning of serious conflict between the two families which subsequently caused more deaths to follow. A strain is even seen between the family members within a family, which eventually leads to the end of Romeo and Juliet’s