Tybalt Flashcards
Act 1
‘What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds?’
• Use of unprovoked violence further indicates how Tybalt is filled with rage and aggression.
• Use of alliteration brings attention to Tybalt’s determination to provoke Benvolio into conflict through a deliberate insult – ‘heartless hinds’ as a reference to servants who lack courage.
• Shakespeare introduces Benvolio and Tybalt simultaneously in order to emphasise the hostile and aggressive nature of Tybalt compared to Benvolio’s kind natured approach.
Act 1
‘What, drawn and talk of peace?’
• Tybalt cannot fathom any mention of peace when surrounded by weaponry, as demonstrated by his posing of a question.
• Despite Benvolio’s attempts to placate the situation, Tybalt cannot help but increase tensions between both
families.
Act 1
‘I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!’
• ‘Hate’ – noun used to bring attention to Tybalt’s intense dislike for the enemy as well as any prospect of peace. Tybalt embodies the toxic masculinity which permeates the entirety of the play. His use of derogatory terms such ‘coward’ is used to try and instigate violence.
• First character to mention hatred in the play, which brings attention to Tybalt’s role as a catalyst for violence.
• Use of consecutive exclamatory sentences further emphasises Tybalt’s strong feelings of hatred. He appears unable to control his emotions or regulate his behaviour towards others.
• Comparison of Montagues to ‘hell’ would be particularly impactful given the Renaissance society’s strong focus on religion. Significant declaration in terms of capturing Tybalt’s hatred for the opposing family.
Act 1
‘This, by his voice should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier boy’.
• Instantly resorting to violence, Tybalt adheres to the Renaissance perception of men as violent and aggressive, especially when confronted by a threat to their honour.
• Tybalt is very quick to react despite not having any conclusive evidence. He only guesses that this voice belongs to a Montague.
• The immediate request for weaponry indicates how violence is always at the forefront of his mind with little thought of the consequences of such actions. His aggressive nature is powered and catalysed by anger for the opposing family.
• Through the sequencing of this scene, the direct contrast between Tybalt and Romeo’s approaches is made apparent as Romeo places a focus upon love with Tybalt directly opposing this with his ideas of violence.
Act 1
‘Now by the stock and honour of my kin, To strike him dead I hold it not a sin.’
• The reference to the nouns ‘stock’ and ‘honour’ gives way to Tybalt’s strong sense of pride and duty. Using honour as a motive to fight allows Tybalt to garner support from a Renaissance audience who would largely support his actions.
• Reference to ‘kin’ seeks to further justify Tybalt’s actions as he uses family as an excuse to initiate conflict.
Act 1
‘A Montague, our foe: A villain that is hither come in spite, to scorn at our solemnity this night’.
• The use of the nouns ‘foe’ and ‘villain’ highlight the strong sense of dislike felt by Tybalt towards a member of the opposing family.
• The sibilance found in ‘scorn’ and ‘spite’ and ‘solemnity’ indicate Tybalt’s hostility towards Romeo.
• Tybalt is convinced that Romeo deliberately made his presence known as a means to anger him however both the Renaissance and contemporary audience are aware that Tybalt does not need much encouragement to engage in conflict.
Act 1
‘I will withdraw but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitter gall’
• Tybalt will only remove himself from these circumstances by force as he is not a character to refuse the opportunity for conflict.
• He warns that his retreat from this situation may initially present him as compliant however he still harbours a strong resentment and dislike for Romeo which will be revealed in time.
• Use of rhyming couplet indicates the end of Tybalt’s interactions in this scene however his final words ‘bitter gall’ brings attention to the likelihood of his return being catalysed by violence and anger.
Act 3
‘Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford no better term than this,–thou art a villain.’
• Tybalt was the first character to reference ‘hate’ in the play and so he continues to demonstrate his alliance with this term as the text progresses.
• He makes a further reference to Romeo as ‘villain’ but does so in a deliberately explicit manner as a means to provoke him into action. Whereas, Tybalt had previously referred to Romeo as ‘villain’ only when conversing with Lord Capulet and therefore beyond earshot of Romeo.
Act 3
‘Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.’
• The use of the noun ‘boy’ brings attention to Tybalt’s contempt for Romeo. He wishes to present him as inferior and incompetent by way of comparison.
• Tybalt feels that he has been wronged by Romeo and therefore seeks to avenge such actions which highlights a keenness to protect his honour and reputation.
• He commands Romeo to ‘therefore turn and draw’ as Tybalt sees violence as the only resolve this feud. He is unable to navigate these circumstances without aggression which further emphasises his volatile nature.
