The Controversy Between The Capulets In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

The feud between the Capulets and the Montagues intensifies so much that people start murdering others. Benvolio and Mercutio talk while walking together, and Benvolio says that he and Mercutio should go home and avoid the drama with the Capulets. Ironically, Mercutio and Benvolio end up seeing Tybalt and a few other Capulets. Tybalt and Mercutio start to fight, but Romeo shows up and tries to stop them. He shouts, “Tybalt! Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath / Forbid this bandying in Verona streets” (3.1.89-90). Despite Romeo’s words of warning, Tybalt and Mercutio fight, and Tybalt kills Mercutio. This is the first murder that is an action of the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues in the play. Romeo, angered by Mercutio’s death, fights with and kills Tybalt in response to Tybalt’s actions. Benvolio quickly tells Romeo, “The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.

The Prince will doom thee death / If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away” (3.1.139-141). Romeo takes Benvolio’s advice and flees from where he murdered Tybalt, leaving Benvolio by himself. The Prince comes to Benvolio and asks him what happened. Benvolio gives an almost completely accurate description of the events of the day, but Lady Capulet denies his words. Because she is a Capulet, she stands up for Tybalt, saying, “I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give. / Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live” (3.1.189-190). Lady Capulet ignores the fact that Tybalt killed Mercutio and she only wants justice for Romeo killing Tybalt. She wants to invoke violence on the Montagues. The Capulets and the Montagues both seem to want some forms of violence to prove their superiority over the other family. However, the last act of violence that will lead to the end of the feud is not wanted by either