Tybalt Flashcards
What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?
Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.
Tybalt uses “heartless hinds” to downplay the importance of Sampson and Gregory, suggesting that Benvolio is a much worthier foe due to them sharing the same high social status. ‘Look upon thy death’ highlights his certainty in his fighting skills and his traditionally masculine nature
What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
This shows Tybalt as arrogant, villainous and violent. He compares the Montagues to devils, highlighting his hatred and the repetition of ‘hate’ emphasises this point
Now, by the stock and honour of my kin,
To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin.
Tybalt believes if he were to kill Romeo it would not be a sin in his eyes because Romeo invaded Capulet territory. He could be justifying it so that he can defend himself against the Prince but also for himself as to kill someone else betrays the sixth commandment of Christianity. The use of the rhyming couplet emphasises Tybalt’s conviction and its importance within the story
A villain that is hither come in spite,
To scorn at our solemnity this night.
By comparing Romeo to a villain, it emphasises his hatred of all Montagues
I’ll not endure him
This phrase highlights Tybalt’s rash and hot-headed nature as it shows he is trying to supposedly protect his family honour even against the wishes of the patriarch of the family. Also, demonstrates his arrogance
You are a saucy boy:
Capulet is essentially telling Tybalt he is brash and bold but unfortunately so in this case
I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall
Now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall.
Basically what Tybalt is saying is that he won’t fight Romeo now, but this won’t go unnoticed and that he will fight him in the future. This is foreshadowing because as we see in Act 3, Scene 1 Tybalt ends up killing Mercutio, leading to Romeo’s death as a long term consequence. Again, the rhyming couplet highlights the importance within the story
More than prince of cats,
‘Prince of cats’ suggests that he is a very agile and skilled fighter and he has 9 lives
You sing prick-song, keeps time, distance, and
Proportion; rests me his minim rest,
Mercutio compares Tybalt’s fighting to musical terms, highlighting how his fighting is elegant and beautiful alongside being deadly
Gentlemen, good den: a word with one of you.
Tybalt is uncharacteristically polite and respectful to the Montagues perhaps to lull them to false sense of security or genuinely because he only wants a civil conversation with Romeo although this is unlikely
You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an you
will give me occasion.
Tybalt requires an adequate reason to fight, perhaps so he cannot get in trouble with the Prince if they are caught or just perhaps to protect his own honour
The fiery Tybalt
Tybalt is known by the people as the epithet (phrase): ‘The fiery Tybalt’ which acts as a kind of label, helping to define his character. This shows he is notorious for being violent and hot-tempered. Furthermore, it helps to identify his importance as he is known as a common title by many people.
