Monday, June 10, 2013

In Act 1, Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, how does Tybalt react to Romeo's presence at the party and what does Lord Capulet say about Romeo?

Tybalt, standing true to his character, reacts very violently to the knowledge of Romeo's presence while Lord Capulet actually defends Romeo (simply because Capulet doesn't want his party disrupted).  Tybalt's violence can be seen almost immediately in that he asks for his rapier and says, "Now, by the stock and honor of my kin, / To strike him dead I hold it not a sin."  Lord Capulet approaches the subject delicately with Tybalt by simply telling Tybalt to "let him alone."  Ironically, Lord Capulet then begins defending Romeo by saying, "Verona brags of him / To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.  I would not for the wealth of all this town / Here in my house do him disparagement."  Lord Capulet tries again to stop Tybalt peacefully by saying, "Therefore be patient, take no note of him."  Of course, Lord Capulet has to descend into violence himself (with his own kinsman) mostly as a result of Tybalt not respecting his will.  "He shall be endured. . . . Am I the master here, or you? Go to! . . . You'll make a mutiny among my guests!"  In this way, Romeo is left alone to ogle over Juliet at the party.

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