Tybalt

            In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Tybalt of the House of Capulet plays a prominent role in both the thematic scheme and in the ultimate outcome. .
             Tybalt's characterization in the play occurs by a direct means and it remains static throughout the duration of the play. His rude, hateful, and bitter character is made clear by his eloquent words and actions. I feel that some of the characters best development occurs when he isn't even involved in the scene. In Act II, Scene IV, Mercutio and Benvolio develop characteristics of his fighting methods and skill as well as his French styled mannerisms in a mocking way. The method of this development could also have occurred because of the audience that Shakespeare was attempting to entertain, an anti-French group. Thus Tybalt would be both a hated villain in a fictitious play, but also a symbol for the average Frenchmen. The hatred that he displays so often is quickly developed in only his second line. He displays hatred for hell, peace, and all Montague's. This immediately shows that confrontation with the Montague's is almost inevitable. This hatred is continually developed, as he is quick to draw his rapier in all instances. The very roots of this hatred is never revealed, but has escalated to the point of disaster when the play begins. His loyalty to his family justifies his ill-advised decision making to fight. When he fights both Mercutio and later Romeo for infringements on his families honor the above point is solidified. Romeo had made a mockery of his family by attending the Capulet's party and Tybalt was willing to die. Tybalt's rudeness and arrogance are displayed in his confident promise that he will slay Romeo and his belittlement of Benvolio in Act I, Scene I. His arrogance, hatred, and loyalty lead to his death at the hands of Romeo. .
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             Tybalt's influences before his death and after are vital in the storyline that William Shakespeare created.