- Feb 5, 2002
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A closer look at how ‘violent delights have violent ends,’ from a conversation with Juliet’s siblings.
A few days ago, I gave a talk on Romeo and Juliet to a high-school freshman class, after which I endeavored to answer the many great questions that the students asked. It dawned on me that these young people were actually a year older than Shakespeare’s 13-year-old heroine, a sobering thought that highlights Juliet’s extreme youth. Time did not permit me to answer all the students’ questions. I was pleased, therefore, when some of the unanswered questions were kindly supplied to me by the teacher who had invited me to speak to her class. Considering that the questions are written by those who are effectively Juliet’s peers, I thought it would be good to share them, along with my answers.
When Tybalt sees Romeo in the party, he wants to fight him and drive him out. On first glance this would be because Romeo is a Montague, but with the understanding of Romeo’s sinfulness, can't we see him as loving and protective of his cousin? As an older brother myself, I can sympathize with his wanting to protect Juliet. Did Shakespeare intend for Tybalt to be a caring/protective person or just as another violence-fueled character?
This is a great question to which, unfortunately, Shakespeare does not offer a definitive answer. It’s possible that Tybalt is concerned for his young cousin’s well-being, but his words suggest that he’s more concerned with pursuing the vendetta against the Montagues. He says a great deal about his hatred for the rival family and nothing directly about Juliet. I fear, therefore, that we must suspect the worst with respect to Tybalt’s violent and vituperative nature.
Continued below.
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A few days ago, I gave a talk on Romeo and Juliet to a high-school freshman class, after which I endeavored to answer the many great questions that the students asked. It dawned on me that these young people were actually a year older than Shakespeare’s 13-year-old heroine, a sobering thought that highlights Juliet’s extreme youth. Time did not permit me to answer all the students’ questions. I was pleased, therefore, when some of the unanswered questions were kindly supplied to me by the teacher who had invited me to speak to her class. Considering that the questions are written by those who are effectively Juliet’s peers, I thought it would be good to share them, along with my answers.
When Tybalt sees Romeo in the party, he wants to fight him and drive him out. On first glance this would be because Romeo is a Montague, but with the understanding of Romeo’s sinfulness, can't we see him as loving and protective of his cousin? As an older brother myself, I can sympathize with his wanting to protect Juliet. Did Shakespeare intend for Tybalt to be a caring/protective person or just as another violence-fueled character?
This is a great question to which, unfortunately, Shakespeare does not offer a definitive answer. It’s possible that Tybalt is concerned for his young cousin’s well-being, but his words suggest that he’s more concerned with pursuing the vendetta against the Montagues. He says a great deal about his hatred for the rival family and nothing directly about Juliet. I fear, therefore, that we must suspect the worst with respect to Tybalt’s violent and vituperative nature.
Continued below.
Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Isn’t About What You Think It’s About
A closer look at how ‘violent delights have violent ends,’ from a conversation with Juliet’s siblings.
