How Tybalt Contributes to the Play
            
             Romeo and Juliet is a play all about love, hatred and honour. Honour was very important in the time when this was set. The character Tybalt seems to be the most temperamental person. In his confrontations with the Montague's he is demeaning to them. He is trying to anger them so that they will start the fights, if they start the fight he cannot be blamed. The conflicts between the two families all start with a period of insults thought out to injure the others pride and damage their honour
             Tybalt is a major contributor to the atmosphere to the beginning of the play and his contribution carries on over the whole play even though he may not be there in body. The first time we meet Tybalt is in Act 1, Scene 1. He enters with his sword drawn and tells Benvolio, both friend and cousin of Romeo, to "turn thee...Look upon thy death." When Benvolio says he has no need to fight and wants to keep the peace, Tybalt responds with, "...talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montague's and thee." This further displays Tybalt's disdain for the Montague clan. He is a renowned duellist, a respected gentleman, a man feared and admired by his allies and enemies alike. We can find this in act 3 scene 1 where Mercutio refers to him as a "King of Cats" and a "Courageous captain of compliments" in act 2 scene 4. These are both compliments as they portray the feelings of the enemies; they both portray him as high positions (a King and a Captain). One refers to his courageous side and the other (possibly) to his agility and ability to defeat opposition.
             At the party the Capulets are throwing. Tybalt spots Romeo at the gathering and is enraged by Romeo's actions. He states, "What dares the slave come hither, covered with an antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity? Now by stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin." Tybalt also says that Romeo i...