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Pauline Warriner

Ms. Price

English I Honors

30 May 2018

Mental Illness in ​The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet​ and Diagnosis of Tybalt

William Shakespeare’s ​The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet ​is widely known for its

exquisite poetic language, an elegant, medieval Italian setting, and for the excitement of

forbidden love. However, lying beneath the charm and beauty of this story is a sinister reality in

which the pair of star crossed lovers and their associates are twisted with mental illnesses. Tybalt

is just one character exhibiting symptoms of a rare personality disorder: Narcissistic Personality

disorder. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is defined as a “​mental condition in which people

have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for excessive attention and

admiration, troubled relationships, and a lack of empathy for others.​” (Narcissistic Personality

Disorder). Because Tybalt expects for his superiority to be recognized, and he acts in an

egotistical mannar, it is likely that he has narcissistic personality disorder.

By expecting to be recognized as superior to his rivals and associates, Tybalt exhibits a

symptom of narcissistic personality disorder. When Romeo arrives at the Capulet’s masquerade,

Tybalt is quick to express his discontent. He asks, “What, dares the slave come hither, covered

with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, to

strike him dead I hold it not a sin” (Shakespeare I.V.55-59). Tybalt is shocked that a Montague

would have the audacity to attend a party hosted by Capulets because he believes that his house,
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the house of Capulet, is far more superior to the house of Montague. This disbelief clearly

shows that he does not want nor expect a Montague to attend a Capulet event. He desires for

them to know their place as inferior to the Capulets, and he expects that this understanding and

compliance be shown through their actions like avoiding parties hosted by them. In conclusion,

Tybalt expects for his superiority and dominance to be recognized by others which is a symptom

of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.

Acting in an arrogant and conceited mannar is a symptom of Narcissistic Personality

Disorder, and in the beginning of the play, Tybalt clearly displays this indicator. In act I, scene I

of ​Romeo and Juliet​, Benvolio recalls an interaction with Tybalt. He says,“The fiery Tybalt, with

his sword prepared, which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, he swung about his head and cut

the winds” (Shakespeare I.I.106-108). ​In this excerpt, he is wielding his sword and insulting

Benvolio. These actions can be regarded as boasting his supremacy, as well as an attempt to start

a brawl. Both can be considered conceited because in this play, street fights are started to prove

family dominance. ​The word conceited is defined as “​having a high or exaggerated opinion of

oneself or one's accomplishments” (Dictionary.com), and based on the text, it can be concluded

that Tybalt’s view of himself is much more embellished than how others perceive him. This

distortion can be seen when Tybalt says to Benvolio, “Turn thee Benvolio; look upon thy death”

(I.I.65). Based on this simple line of ​Romeo and Juliet​, one can see that Tybalt views himself as

a menacing force to be reckoned with. He sees himself as valiant enough to killing another

person for the glory of the Capulet house. However, Prince Escalus has a contrasting perception

of Tybalt. Rather than viewing him as a courageous hero to the Capulets, he chooses to view
Tybalt

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as a nuisance to the people of Verona, as seen in his explicit description of Tybalt. He considered

Tybalt and his associates to be “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this

neighbor-stainèd steel!” (Shakespeare I.I.71-72). Therefore, it is obvious that Tybalt’s self

perception is warped and idealistic, and that others view him as an irritating teenager who

seldom fails to provoke chaos in the peaceful streets of Verona. ​In all, Tybalt is showing a

symptom of narcissistic personality disorder by exhibiting a haughty demeanor and by having an

embellished perception of himself..

In spite of the evidence against narcissistic personality disorder being a valid mental

disorder, some believe that this disorder is solely a negative personality trait rather than an

illness. They fail to see that symptoms expressed in a patient suffering from narcissistic

personality disorder correspond with those in definition of the term “mental disorder”, as defined

by doctors. According to ​The New York Times​, “The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and

Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders...has eliminated five of the 10 ​personality disorders​ that

are listed in the current edition. ​Narcissistic personality disorder​ is the most well-known of the

five, and its absence has caused the most stir in professional circles” (Zanor). Although aspects

of this argument are enticing, it ultimately fails to be a stronger argument because mental

disorders are defined as “​health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behavior”

(American Psychiatric Association), and ​narcissistic personality disorder ​is defined as a “mental

condition in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for

excessive attention and admiration,...and a lack of empathy for others.” (​Narcissistic Personality
Disorder​). For example, Tybalt exhibits all of these indicators during the course of his many

brawls. He

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views the Capulet house as the most superior and important house, without question, so he will

initiate a fight against a Montague. After the fight, he shows no remorse or empathy for those

injured or affected by his recklessness. Instead, he expects to receive praise for courageously

fighting for the splendor of the Capulets. ​Since people, including Tybalt, suffering from

narcissistic personality disorder express changes and symptoms directly correlating to those in

the explicit definition of the term “mental illness”, it needs to be considered a legitimate mental

disorder, in spite of the evidence in favor of an invalid argument.

Overall, Tybalt is suffering from narcissistic personality disorder because of the way he

perceives himself and in the way that he behaves in the company of others. It is important to

recognize narcissism because now, it is viewed as an unfavourable personality trait that repels

others. Fortunately, plays, such as ​Romeo and Juliet​, are works of fiction, so one can see it and

learn firsthand without the consequences of “learning through experience”. Society is becoming

more self-centered, and characters, such as Tybalt, show the direct results of narcissism, so that

society may learn from his mistakes and move away from narcissistic practices.n In conclusion,

Tybalt is likely a person suffering from Narcissistic Personality Disorder because of the way that

he treats others and behaves in their company, and there is much to be learned from the

consequences of his actions.