Conflict and rage, themes crucial to the Shakespearian Tragedy “Romeo and Juliet.” These themes are embodied by the two families, the Montagues and the Capulets, and the violent feud between them. This is most noticeably seen in Tybalt, the cousin of Juliet and prideful Capulet. And as with Tybalt himself, Tybalt’s blade is integral to the play, representing hate, and increasing conflict within the plot.
So why is Tybalt’s blade an integral part of the play? Tybalt’s blade is the catalyst of the play, accelerating the conflict of the script. As Romeo had earlier attended Capulet’s ball in the first act, Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel, stating his disgust for Romeo, “Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford no better term than this, thou art a villain”. The duel is taken up by Mercutio, Romeo’s companion, and concludes with the murder of Mercutio by Tybalt’s blade, and subsequently Tybalt’s death by Romeo’s hand and Romeo’s exile, as seen in Act Three Scene One. Tybalt and his blade is the central symbol of hate in the play, the contrast of Romeo, fighting against his love, and hating the prospect of peace, with his sword being an extension of himself.
Tybalt’s death is a pivotal event, causing the main conflict of the play, with his death being caused by Tybalt’s earlier actions with his weapon. This can be seen with Romeo’s instant reaction of Tybalt’s death, expressing sorrow, and surprise, “O, I am fortune's fool!” as he realises his misfortune. As Romeo awaits for his judgement by the prince of Verona, Escalus, he laments in Friar Lawrence’s company. The Capulet family also acts out, but in rage and desperation instead of the sadness Romeo experienced, with Capulet making the hasty decision to give consent to Paris to marry his daughter, Juliet. Tybalt and his sword forces characters to react out of rage, desperation and grief.
As Tybalt is from the family Capulet, he has been taught to despise the Montagues, and Romeo even more so. The hate between the...