Tybalt x benvolio

• "Why uncle, 'tis a shame"

  Act 1 Scene 5

  
  

  - Shows he's loyal to his family

  
  

  - 'Shame' illustrates that Tybalt does not agree with Lord Capulet but will listen as he is loyal and obeys his uncle's orders

  
  

  - Contrasts to his usual character as it's the only time he doesn't try to be in control as he knows Lord Capulet has authority over him

  
  

  Themes; violence, family & loyalty
• "Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford no better term than this; thou art a villain"

  Act 3 Scene 1

  
  

  - Tybalt associates violence with masculinity and judges Romeo as he doesn't want to fight

  
  

  - Irony- Tybalt calls Romeo a villain when he is the antagonist

  
  

  - Provokes Romeo to fight which links to his aggressive nature

  
  

  Themes; conflict, violence & honour
• "Well, peace be with you sir, here comes my man"

  Act 3 Scene 1

  
  

  - Thinks he's better than Benvolio- suggests he's not going to waste his precious time

  
  

  - He's possessive like it's his right to kill Romeo which also suggests that he has a one track mind- all he can think of is violence and murder and he is sure that he will kill Romeo

  
  

  - There's power in his calmness- juxtaposition to the violence

  
  

  - 'Sir' is very sarcastic which shows his sly personality as he is mocking Benvolio

  
  

  Themes; masculinity, power, violence & honour
• "Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done, therefore turn and draw"

  Act 3 Scene 3

  
  

  - Argumentative- fuels the conflict and rift between the two families

  
  

  - Shows Tybalt's anger towards Romeo

  
  

  - 'Boy' insults Romeo why mocking him and questioning his masculinity as he wants him to respond which shows his immaturity (it also shows men's role in the Victorian society)

  
  

  - Instructive- tells Romeo to 'turn and draw' as he wants to be in control and be dominant- links to his teenage character

  
  

  Themes; violence, conflict & honour
• His name!

  Tybalt has connotations of a tyrant, juxtaposing with benevolent Benvolio
• Part, Fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do

  Benvolio's name looks like the word benevolent. It suggests that he would be the peacemaker throughout the play. He is juxtaposed against Tybalt who instigates the fight and questions him on why is stopping them fighting. He is a character foil against Tybalt
• I do keep the peace


  Benvolio is an accurate embodiment of peace more than Tybalt. One might view him as courageous because he wants to stop the brawl. However a historical view could be that he is a coward who does not take the opportunity to show his masculinity through fighting
• My noble uncle

  Highlights the strict hierarchy of the period. A formal relationship is established here, there is no affection
• Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, should be so tyrannous and rough in proof


  Love is personified as a character depicted through the pronoun 'his'. Love can be gentle but extremely awful at the same time
• No, coz, I rather weep

  Benvolio is supportive in Romeo's times of distress. He would much rather weep because of Romeo's situation then laugh at him. He proves that he is a loyal person to him
• Come, come, thou art as hot a Jack Act 3 scene 1


  The simile established here portrays Benvolio in a negative light which is ironic as he is deemed the peace maker of the play. The fact that by the end of this scene, Benvolio is one of the few people alive as opposed to the hot headed Mercutio, vengeful Romeo and viscous Tybalt cannot be overlooked
• Public haunt of men...withdraw into some private place Act 3 scene 1


  Benvolio urges with them to have their feud in a private place rather than a place where citizens of Verona can be witnesses of their fight. This alludes to the idea that Benvolio attempts to hinder fights rather than encouraging them
• I pray thee, good Mercutio, let's retire.

  The day is hot

  And if we meet we shall not 'scape a brawl... mad blood stirring Act 3 Scene 1

  This scene is a pivotal point in the play where the play turns from a comedy to a tragedy. The audience who already know about the character's fate from the prologue are reminded of the tragic nature of the play. It foreshadows the events of the play. Pathetic fallacy is also used, people tend to fight when they are hot headed. There may be some irrational decisions made
• And the rank poison of the old will die."'


  Portrays Romeo as lovesick

  Foreshadows romeos love to Juliet as a poison that will lead to his death