Mony Sun

Grade 9A English

Romeo and Juliet Essay

Romeo and Juliets Great Love Story

The grudge of the century is well known to everyone. It allowed hatred to
pass down from generation to generation, causing much damage and taking
the lives of many. In the prologue of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare,
ancient grudge break[s] to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands
unclean (3-4). This play of great romance demonstrates the violent hatred
between two houses with star-crossed lovers. Each character contributed to the
everlasting love story, allowing readers to reach new understandings about
their lives. For example, Tybalt Capulet portrayed that by allowing hatred to
cloud our judgment, we become blind to new possibilities. Throughout the
entire play, he was seen as evil, mean and cold-hearted. Often, he would start
fights with the Montagues and allow his hatred to end the lives of many,
including his own. Although Tybalt was one of the secondary characters, he still
played a significant role in Romeo and Juliet as he was always resentful towards
the Montagues despite their continuous efforts to forgive, and was completely
unreasonable.

Throughout the play, Tybalts hate for the Montagues was a flame
burning on a river of gas. For instance, he was always rude towards the
Montagues, emphasizing his strong resentment. In the opening act and scene
of the play, there was a quarrel between the houses. At the fight, Benvolio was
trying to keep the peace, but on lines 63-64, Tybalt rudely said, What, drawn,
and talk of peace? I hate the word, as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Here, he was countering Benvolio by saying he hated the word peace as
much as hell and all Montagues. Despite Benvolios effort too stop the fight,

March 12, 2015

Mony Sun

Grade 9A English

Romeo and Juliet Essay

Tybalt always found ways to cause trouble from his hatred, making him a foil to
Benvolio. This is because he had qualities that were opposite of Benvolios,
which made so that their contrasts and differences stood out. Therefore, the
language and ideas used made readers understand the level of intensity
between the two foils and foes as well as emphasized Tybalts disgust for
peace. Also, Tybalts hate was so strong that he was willing to go to extremes in
order to achieve his desires. During the Capulets house party, he saw Romeo
and said, Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it
not a sin (I.iv.56-57). This shows that he was would have no regrets in killing
Romeo who was there as an innocent guest. Even Capulet said himself that
there should be no quarrels as Romeo was peaceful and ignorant. Therefore,
Tybalt was as uncontrollable, unpredictable, and deadly as fire. To conclude,
Tybalt was continually resentful and mean towards the Montagues despite their
ignorance.

Furthermore, Tybalts unreasonable personality never died down and

seemed to burn brighter at times. He constantly found ways to stir fights and
ruin the peace by saying harsh and insulting words. For example, after the
secret marriage of Romeo and Juliet, Tybalt said, Romeo, the love I bear thee
can afford no better term than this: thou art a villain (III.i.56-57). At this
moment, Tybalt was being unreasonable after being told to leave peacefully by
Mercutio and the other Montagues. However, the stubborn Capulet didnt listen
and told Romeo how he was a villain, showing once again that he was a foil to
the innocent Montagues. Therefore, even during the most peaceful of times,
Tybalt managed to cause commotion, proving that he was an unreasonable and

March 12, 2015

Mony Sun

Grade 9A English

Romeo and Juliet Essay

restless character. Additionally, after being offered to leave peacefully, Tybalt

refused to give up the fight. After saying that Romeo was a villain, Romeo
defended himself by saying that he loved Tybalt. However, Tybalt countered
with, Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me. Therefore
turn and draw (III.i.62-63). Even though Romeo was caving to his heat, Tybalt
still didnt want to listen. He didnt offer to negotiate or compromise with the
Montagues. Instead, he flared brighter and burned the Montagues, killing many.
Because Tybalt was so stubborn, he caused an even bigger scene. All in all, due
to the fact that Tybalt was unreasonable in this situation, he was killed and
bought on his own demise.

Ultimately, Tybalt played a significant role in play, as he consistently

acted unreasonable and detested the Montagues despite their continuous
efforts to forgive. He never seemed to care about their kindness and always
returned it with a hot glare or burn. He also had an unreasonable personality
because he never wanted to compromise or negotiate with the Montages even
if the conditions were good. Throughout the play, he was a flat and static
character as he had few personalities and remained short-tempered, mean,
and evil. He was also more of a supporting character since he was seen in only
certain scenes. Therefore, because he didnt change mentally, reach any new
understandings, had few deep personalities and was a supporting character, he
was a static and flat character. Additionally, he was the main foil for Benvolio
because his qualities would clash and contrast with those of Benvolio. In
conclusion, by observing Tybalt Capulet, it is clear that he let his hatred cloud
his judgment, which eventually led to his own death. Without Tybalt, many

March 12, 2015

Mony Sun

Grade 9A English

Romeo and Juliet Essay

readers, watchers and the audience alike would not understand that by letting
the fog of hatred and grudges cloud our judgment, many possibilities will be
hidden from sight.

Word Count: 896 words

March 12, 2015