Loyalty In Romeo And Juliet

Individuals tend to strive for a loving relationship with a significant other. Many people seemingly only focus on the positive aspects of these relationships, but never the cons. However, both are prevalent and there can be many internal and external influences that affect individuals. In his play Romeo and Juliet, author William Shakespearre explores the idea that people who are conflicted by love and or opposing families tend to display violent traits and commit violent acts that dictate future events, often due to their passion and loyalty they must keep hidden. The author demonstrates this idea clearly through the characters: Romeo, Juliet, and Tybalt. Individuals may display large behavioral and mentality changes when faced with such

The character Tybalt in the play is a member of the Capulet family. In contrast to having loyalty have to hidden, Tybalt openly displays his devotion to the Capulet name. This dedication to do his family right has allowed the violent feud between the Montagues and Capulets to manifest in Tybalt himself. Blatantly throughout the play we see many occasions of violence committed by Tybalt. (I.I.68-69) “What, drawn, and talk of peace! As I hate hell, all Montague and thee.” Evidently Tybalt is displaying the effect that the feud has taken on him. This ancient grudge has altered his mentality. His mindless loyalty has essentially allowed him to be programmed into this violent, relentless, and outrageous monster; specifically towards the Montagues. An example where this violence is present is in the quotation, (I.V.59) “To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.” This quotation can relate specifically to Mercutio's death as he did not hesitate, nor acknowledge what he had done. This violent mindset brought on by the feud evidently drives Tybalt to commit the violent acts he does. These violent decisions also have an effect on other characters and aspects of the play. For example, Mercutio's death was caused by Tybalt's violent mindset. If Tybalt never wanted to fight Romeo; a Montague member, then the situation would have never occurred and both Mercutio and Tybalt himself would have lived. However this was not the case and ultimately Tybalt's mindless loyalty and passion for the Capulet name led him to manifest the feud himself, inclining him to make violent and relentless decisions that altered following events within the