Tybalt's Role In Romeo And Juliet

In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Romeo and Juliet”, Mercutio was murdered and cursed both the Montague and Capulet families in responsibility of his death. Both families played a major role in the cause of Mercutio’s death because of their refusal to push the generation old feud aside for the peace of the realm, they both allowed the hate to trickle down the ranks to the servants and townspeople, and by provoking arguments with each other, knowing the stakes are high and the tension is thick. Tybalt also played a significant role in the death of Mercutio, aside from being Mercutio’s actual murderer.

The initial cause of the dispute is never actually addressed in the play, but it is clear that the hate brews on both sides. A good example of how deeply rooted the feud is during the opening act, Act 1 Scene 1. In this scene, the

In the introductory scene, he proclaims,”What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet). In the scenes involving both Tybalt and a Montague, it is Tybalt who is trying to disturb the peace and draw blood. When Romeo and other Montague family members crashed a Capulet party, it was Tybalt that wanted blood. Romeo went to get a glimpse of love, not with the intentions to start trouble. In the first act, Benvolio was trying to make peace between the servants, and then Tybalt joined in and made it a brawl because he automatically assumed the worst.

Both Capulet and Montague are ultimately responsible in the death of Mercutio because they, themselves, held the power to instill peace within the ranks and with their families. How many people had to fight and die because two men refused to put the good of the realm first? While they were able to make peace after the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, it took the tragic loss of important lives for them to finally burry the