Tybalt In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

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Pages: 1

Through threatening dialogue, Shakespeare develops Tybalt as an aggressive, fight-seeking character. In Act 1, Scene 1, as a brawl between the Montagues and Capulets breaks out, Tybalt scoffs at Benvolio for trying to stop the fight: “What, drawn, and talk of peace?” (1.1.65). Here Tybalt is referencing the fact that Benvolio has his sword drawn and yet is contradicting that action with peacekeeping words. The line implies that Tybalt thinks a sword should be used to cause trouble, not prevent it, which goes to show that his mindset is geared toward violence. Further, Tybalt continues the line of dialogue, telling Benvolio, “I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward!” (1.1.65-67). The meaning here is straightforward: