The True Instigator: Tybalt In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Alexa Llupo

ENG1DP-01

Ms. Barrett

June 7, 2023

The True Instigator, Tybalt.

Romeo and Juliet is one of the world's most famous tragedies due to the characters and the different views one can have on the play's events. The conflicts and shifts make one judge and blame the characters in many ways, specifically the turn of events in Act 3, scene 1. Romeo and Mercutio are two characters whom many blame due to Romeo's selfishness and Mercutio's vengefulness. However, many often overlook Tybalt's impact on the turn of events and conflicts. Although Romeo and Mercutio are guilty contributors to the conflicts in the play, Tybalt is most responsible for the turn of events in Act 3, scene 1. Although Romeo is a guilty contributor to conflicts

Romeo's intentions are not driven by hate or recklessness, as Romeo has no interest in the Capulet and Montague family feud. In the play's opening, Romeo is in love with a Capulet, Rosaline, and does not care about Rosaline's family name or who she is. Although Romeo's love for Rosaline is seen as artificial and shallow by many, Romeo's feelings demonstrate that the Capulet and Montague feuds do not affect him. Furthermore, Romeo addresses the feud as pointless when he states, "O me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all./Here's much to do with hate, but more with love" (1.1.178–180), depicting that his only view of the

Tybalt constantly looks for problems since the start of the public brawl, especially at the Capulet party where Romeo and Juliet first meet. The first time the viewers are introduced to Tybalt is when the public brawl commences. Tybalt enters the scene and demands to know who started the fight between the Capulets and Montagues, saying, "What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?/Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death" (1.1.68-69). The event illustrates Tybalt's readiness to fight and his apathy for the other characters, referring to them as "heartless hinds." Tybalt then goes on to insult the Montagues, calling them "villains" and saying that he hates them "more than (he) loves peace" (1.1.71-73). The fight illustrates Tybalt's readiness to fight, hatred towards Montagues, and his highly violent tendencies. Tybalt's aggressive behavior foreshadows and alludes to the actions dealt by him throughout the rest of the play. In addition, Tybalt's problematic behavior is also shown at the party. Tybalt immediately insults Romeo and initiates a problem at the Capulet party, expressing, 'Tis he, that villain Romeo./ It fits when such a villain is a guest. I'll not endure him./ Why, uncle, 'tis a shame. (Shakespeare 1.5.63,74-75). Even with the request to stop the senseless argument from his uncle Capulet,