Tybalt

Tybalt in the 1968 film as portrayed by Michael York

In William Shakespeare's 1595 play, Tybalt is the cousin of Juliet Capulet, and the rival of Romeo Montague. He is killed by Romeo who sought to avenge Mercutio. Tybalt is one of the Capulets who is "iffy" about Romeo. He is clueless as to Juliet's marriage when he encounters Benvolio and Mercutio on the streets, and when he later dies, is still unaware.

Tybalt

Tybalt is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In Act I, Scene I, Tybalt enters to help his servants Sampson and Gregory. He is worked up, and quickly draws his rapier to fight Benvolio. We see the first instance of his hatred when he says "What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!"

Later, at the Capulets' ball, he is the first to recognize Romeo for who he is, and would have dueled him had it not been for his uncle Capulet's interference. Although he is prevented from initiating the fight, his anger isn't quelled just yet, and the angry Tybalt appears looking for Romeo at the beginning of Act III. He enters looking for Romeo, only to be taunted by none other than Mercutio, who was mocking and ridiculing him even before he entered the scene. Tybalt ignores it, since his target is Romeo, who is nowhere to be found. When Romeo does come into contact with Tybalt, he refuses to fight his rival. Tybalt is angry because he doesn't know that he and Romeo are related by marriage. Mercutio is fed up with Romeo's and Tybalt's rivalry, and fights Tybalt himself. During the fight, Romeo puts his body in front of Mercutio in an attempt to make him to stop fighting. This gives Tybalt an opening to kill Mercutio, which he does promptly. Afterwards Romeo cannot help but kill Tybalt in revenge of the death for his good friend; Romeo is exiled for the death and the Capulets are left to mourn over the death of Tybalt.

Tybalt seems to be recognized even by his own family as a hothead of sorts, and up until his death in Act III he is constantly quarreling, and never hesitates to draw a weapon in the face of a foe.

External Links

[Complete listing of Tybalt's lines]

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