Analysis of Benvolio and Tybalt
5/14/12
Benvolio is the nephew of Lord Montague, and he is Romeo’s cousin. He is also helpful to Romeo at times, acting as a friend. He first appears in the play when he comes between Gregory, Sampson, and Abram engaging in a fight. “Part fools! Put up your swords! You know not what you do” (Shakespeare I.1. 61-62). This quote shows that Benvolio does not advocate in fighting. He knows that it is not right or proper to fight. Therefore he is well-mannered. “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me” (Shakespeare I.1. 65-66). Benvolio’s reaction to Tybalt shows that he still remains tranquil while wanting to maintain peace. He does become outraged or join in the fighting. Based on these examples, Benvolio is well-mannered and peaceful.
Tybalt is the nephew of Lady Capulet as well as the cousin of Juliet. His character is introduced when he enters the fight of Gregory, Sampson, and Abram. “What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio; look upon thy death” (Shakespeare I.1. 63-64). His reaction to Benvolio shows that he does not care who started the fight or how it happened, yet he still wants to join in. From this quote, it sounds as if he wants to fight Benvolio as well. “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward” (Shakespeare I.1. 67-69). He insists yet again on fighting. This also shows that he does not like any Montague at all because if they are a Montague, then they are the enemy. Tybalt is quite rude compared to Benvolio. He is repulsive and irascible.
Why I chose this piece: I chose this piece because it shows my ability to use quotes from the text in my writing. I used them to support my ideas about characters in the story. While writing this, I realized that I like analyzing characters and their behaviors to different situations. I feel like I understand them more or where they are coming from. I also noticed that Benvolio and Tybalt are foils, which means they are complete opposites. I later saw that there were more foils in the story, like Romeo and Mercutio, Nurse and Lady Capulet, and Friar Laurence and Lord Montague. This was an interesting prompt to write.
Benvolio is the nephew of Lord Montague, and he is Romeo’s cousin. He is also helpful to Romeo at times, acting as a friend. He first appears in the play when he comes between Gregory, Sampson, and Abram engaging in a fight. “Part fools! Put up your swords! You know not what you do” (Shakespeare I.1. 61-62). This quote shows that Benvolio does not advocate in fighting. He knows that it is not right or proper to fight. Therefore he is well-mannered. “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword, or manage it to part these men with me” (Shakespeare I.1. 65-66). Benvolio’s reaction to Tybalt shows that he still remains tranquil while wanting to maintain peace. He does become outraged or join in the fighting. Based on these examples, Benvolio is well-mannered and peaceful.
Tybalt is the nephew of Lady Capulet as well as the cousin of Juliet. His character is introduced when he enters the fight of Gregory, Sampson, and Abram. “What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio; look upon thy death” (Shakespeare I.1. 63-64). His reaction to Benvolio shows that he does not care who started the fight or how it happened, yet he still wants to join in. From this quote, it sounds as if he wants to fight Benvolio as well. “What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee, coward” (Shakespeare I.1. 67-69). He insists yet again on fighting. This also shows that he does not like any Montague at all because if they are a Montague, then they are the enemy. Tybalt is quite rude compared to Benvolio. He is repulsive and irascible.
Why I chose this piece: I chose this piece because it shows my ability to use quotes from the text in my writing. I used them to support my ideas about characters in the story. While writing this, I realized that I like analyzing characters and their behaviors to different situations. I feel like I understand them more or where they are coming from. I also noticed that Benvolio and Tybalt are foils, which means they are complete opposites. I later saw that there were more foils in the story, like Romeo and Mercutio, Nurse and Lady Capulet, and Friar Laurence and Lord Montague. This was an interesting prompt to write.
