At a Capulet party, Tybalt recognizes the voice of his foe, Romeo, and becomes enraged, immediately ordering a servant, “Fetch me my rapier, boy” and storms off declaring “Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, / to strike him dead I hold it not a sin” exemplifying his violent tendencies (1. 5. 62, 66-67). After the gathering, “Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, / … [sends] a letter to [Romeo’s] father’s house” requesting a duel but Mercutio and Benvolio intercept it and begin speaking of him saying, “[he is] more than a prince of cats … he is … a duelist… a very good blade [and] a very tall man” showing his societal reputation as a combatant (2. 4. 7-8, 20, 25, 31). Tybalt continuously testifies to his bellicose reputation in the strife of Verona. Shakespeare introduces character foils to highlight the characteristics of both characters involved. Benvolio, the embodiment of peace, and Tybalt, the personification of violence enhance the drama by highlighting the difference and strife between not only the characters, but the households in themselves. Benvolio and Tybalt present a character foil by way of their contrasting
At a Capulet party, Tybalt recognizes the voice of his foe, Romeo, and becomes enraged, immediately ordering a servant, “Fetch me my rapier, boy” and storms off declaring “Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, / to strike him dead I hold it not a sin” exemplifying his violent tendencies (1. 5. 62, 66-67). After the gathering, “Tybalt, the kinsman to old Capulet, / … [sends] a letter to [Romeo’s] father’s house” requesting a duel but Mercutio and Benvolio intercept it and begin speaking of him saying, “[he is] more than a prince of cats … he is … a duelist… a very good blade [and] a very tall man” showing his societal reputation as a combatant (2. 4. 7-8, 20, 25, 31). Tybalt continuously testifies to his bellicose reputation in the strife of Verona. Shakespeare introduces character foils to highlight the characteristics of both characters involved. Benvolio, the embodiment of peace, and Tybalt, the personification of violence enhance the drama by highlighting the difference and strife between not only the characters, but the households in themselves. Benvolio and Tybalt present a character foil by way of their contrasting