- 1.2: Tybalt enters the stage during fight between the servants of the Capulets and Montagues. Benvolio, a friend of the Montagues, is trying to stop the fight. Instead, Tybalt starts fighting with Benvolio. The situation gets so out of control that the Prince of Verona arrives to break it up.
- 1.5: Tybalt spots Romeo at a Capulet party. Furious at this invasion of Capulet territory, he wants to fight with Romeo right then and there. Lord Capulet intervenes before Tybalt can do anything and angrily orders him not to ruin the party. Tybalt has to obey Lord Capulet, but he swears to punish Romeo at the earliest opportunity.
- 3.1: Tybalt looks for Romeo and finds Benvolio and Mercutio. He trades some insults with them before Romeo shows up. Tybalt purposely tries to provoke Romeo into a fight. Romeo responds mildly to his abuse and refuses to fight. Mercutio challenges Tybalt to a duel instead. Romeo tries to stop them from fighting, and Tybalt wounds Mercutio while he is distracted by Romeo's interference. When Mercutio falls, seriously wounded, Tybalt exits. But he comes back in time for Romeo to challenge him to a duel to avenge Mercutio's death. Romeo kills Tybalt.
The prologue of Romeo and Juliet calls the title characters “star-crossed lovers”—and the stars do seem to conspire against these young lovers….
A street fight breaks out between the Montagues and the Capulets, which is broken up by the ruler of Verona,…
In conversation with Capulet, Count Paris declares his wish to marry Juliet. Capulet invites him to a party that night….
Lady Capulet informs Juliet of Paris’s marriage proposal and praises him extravagantly. Juliet says that she has not even dreamed…
Romeo and Benvolio approach the Capulets’ party with their friend Mercutio and others, wearing the disguises customarily donned by “maskers.”…
Capulet welcomes the disguised Romeo and his friends. Romeo, watching the dance, is caught by the beauty of Juliet. Overhearing…
Again the Chorus’s speech is in the form of a sonnet.
Romeo finds himself so in love with Juliet that he cannot leave her. He scales a wall and enters Capulet’s…
From Capulet’s garden Romeo overhears Juliet express her love for him. When he answers her, they acknowledge their love and…
Determined to marry Juliet, Romeo hurries to Friar Lawrence. The Friar agrees to marry them, expressing the hope that the…
Mercutio and Benvolio meet the newly enthusiastic Romeo in the street. Romeo defeats Mercutio in a battle of wits. The…
Juliet waits impatiently for the Nurse to return. Her impatience grows when the Nurse, having returned, is slow to deliver…
Juliet meets Romeo at Friar Lawrence’s cell. After expressing their mutual love, they exit with the Friar to be married.
Mercutio and Benvolio encounter Tybalt on the street. As soon as Romeo arrives, Tybalt tries to provoke him to fight….
Juliet longs for Romeo to come to her. The Nurse arrives with the news that Romeo has killed Tybalt and…
Friar Lawrence tells Romeo that his punishment for killing Tybalt is banishment, not death. Romeo responds that death is preferable…
Paris again approaches Capulet about marrying Juliet. Capulet, saying that Juliet will do as she is told, promises Paris that…
Romeo and Juliet separate at the first light of day. Almost immediately her mother comes to announce that Juliet must…
Paris is talking with Friar Lawrence about the coming wedding when Juliet arrives. After Paris leaves, she threatens suicide if…
Capulet energetically directs preparations for the wedding. When Juliet returns from Friar Lawrence and pretends to have learned obedience, Capulet…
Juliet sends the Nurse away for the night. After facing her terror at the prospect of awaking in her family’s…
The Capulets and the Nurse stay up all night to get ready for the wedding. Capulet, hearing Paris approach with…
The Nurse finds Juliet in the deathlike trance caused by the Friar’s potion and announces Juliet’s death. Juliet’s parents and…
Romeo’s man, Balthasar, arrives in Mantua with news of Juliet’s death. Romeo sends him to hire horses for their immediate…
Friar John enters, bringing with him the letter that he was to have delivered to Romeo. He tells why he…
Paris visits Juliet’s tomb and, when Romeo arrives, challenges him. Romeo and Paris fight and Paris is killed. Romeo, in…
Enter Mercutio, Benvolio, and ⌜their⌝ men.
BENVOLIO
I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot, the Capels ⌜are⌝ abroad,
And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.
MERCUTIO 5Thou art like one of these fellows that, when
he enters the confines of a tavern, claps me his
sword upon the table and says “God send me no
need of thee” and, by the operation of the second
cup, draws him on the drawer when indeed there is
10 no need.
BENVOLIO Am I like such a fellow?
MERCUTIO Come, come, thou art as hot a jack in thy
mood as any in Italy, and as soon moved to be
moody, and as soon moody to be moved.
BENVOLIO 15And what to?
MERCUTIO Nay, an there were two such, we should
have none shortly, for one would kill the other.
Thou—why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that
hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than
20 thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking
nuts, having no other reason but because thou
hast hazel eyes. What eye but such an eye would spy
out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as
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ACT 3. SC. 1
an egg is full of meat, and yet thy head hath been
25 beaten as addle as an egg for quarreling. Thou hast
quarreled with a man for coughing in the street
because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain
asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a tailor
for wearing his new doublet before Easter? With
30 another, for tying his new shoes with old ribbon?
And yet thou wilt tutor me from quarreling?
BENVOLIO An I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any
man should buy the fee simple of my life for an
hour and a quarter.
MERCUTIO 35The fee simple? O simple!
Enter Tybalt, Petruchio, and others.
BENVOLIO By my head, here comes the Capulets.
MERCUTIO By my heel, I care not.
TYBALT, ⌜to his companions⌝
Follow me close, for I will speak to them.—
Gentlemen, good e’en. A word with one of you.
MERCUTIO 40And but one word with one of us? Couple it
with something. Make it a word and a blow.
TYBALT You shall find me apt enough to that, sir, an
you will give me occasion.
MERCUTIO Could you not take some occasion without
45 giving?
TYBALT Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo.
MERCUTIO Consort? What, dost thou make us minstrels?
An thou make minstrels of us, look to hear
nothing but discords. Here’s my fiddlestick; here’s
50 that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort!
BENVOLIO
We talk here in the public haunt of men.
Either withdraw unto some private place,
Or reason coldly of your grievances,
Or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us.
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MERCUTIO
55 Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze.
I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I.
Enter Romeo.
TYBALT
Well, peace be with you, sir. Here comes my man.
MERCUTIO
But I’ll be hanged, sir, if he wear your livery.
Marry, go before to field, he’ll be your follower.
60 Your Worship in that sense may call him “man.”
TYBALT
Romeo, the love I bear thee can afford
No better term than this: thou art a villain.
ROMEO
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee
Doth much excuse the appertaining rage
65 To such a greeting. Villain am I none.
Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not.
TYBALT
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me. Therefore turn and draw.
ROMEO
I do protest I never injured thee
70 But love thee better than thou canst devise
Till thou shalt know the reason of my love.
And so, good Capulet, which name I tender
As dearly as mine own, be satisfied.
MERCUTIO
O calm, dishonorable, vile submission!
75 Alla stoccato carries it away.⌜He draws.⌝
Tybalt, you ratcatcher, will you walk?
TYBALT What wouldst thou have with me?
MERCUTIO Good king of cats, nothing but one of your
nine lives, that I mean to make bold withal, and, as
80 you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the
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eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pilcher
by the ears? Make haste, lest mine be about your
ears ere it be out.
TYBALT I am for you.⌜He draws.⌝
ROMEO
85 Gentle Mercutio, put thy rapier up.
MERCUTIO Come, sir, your passado.⌜They fight.⌝
ROMEO
Draw, Benvolio, beat down their weapons.
⌜Romeo draws.⌝
Gentlemen, for shame forbear this outrage!
Tybalt! Mercutio! The Prince expressly hath
90 Forbid this bandying in Verona streets.
Hold, Tybalt! Good Mercutio!
⌜Romeo attempts to beat down their rapiers.
Tybalt stabs Mercutio.⌝
⌜PETRUCHIO⌝ Away, Tybalt!
⌜Tybalt, Petruchio, and their followers exit.⌝
MERCUTIO I am hurt.
A plague o’ both houses! I am sped.
95 Is he gone and hath nothing?
BENVOLIO What, art thou hurt?
MERCUTIO
Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch. Marry, ’tis enough.
Where is my page?—Go, villain, fetch a surgeon.
⌜Page exits.⌝
ROMEO
Courage, man, the hurt cannot be much.
MERCUTIO 100No, ’tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as
a church door, but ’tis enough. ’Twill serve. Ask for
me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. I
am peppered, I warrant, for this world. A plague o’
both your houses! Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a
105 cat, to scratch a man to death! A braggart, a rogue, a
villain that fights by the book of arithmetic! Why the
devil came you between us? I was hurt under your
arm.
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ROMEO I thought all for the best.
MERCUTIO
110 Help me into some house, Benvolio,
Or I shall faint. A plague o’ both your houses!
They have made worms’ meat of me.
I have it, and soundly, too. Your houses!
⌜All but Romeo⌝ exit.
ROMEO
This gentleman, the Prince’s near ally,
115 My very friend, hath got this mortal hurt
In my behalf. My reputation stained
With Tybalt’s slander—Tybalt, that an hour
Hath been my cousin! O sweet Juliet,
Thy beauty hath made me effeminate
120 And in my temper softened valor’s steel.
Enter Benvolio.
BENVOLIO
O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead.
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds,
Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.
ROMEO
This day’s black fate on more days doth depend.
125 This but begins the woe others must end.
⌜Enter Tybalt.⌝
BENVOLIO
Here comes the furious Tybalt back again.
ROMEO
⌜Alive⌝ in triumph, and Mercutio slain!
Away to heaven, respective lenity,
And ⌜fire-eyed⌝ fury be my conduct now.—
130 Now, Tybalt, take the “villain” back again
That late thou gavest me, for Mercutio’s soul
Is but a little way above our heads,
Staying for thine to keep him company.
Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.
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TYBALT
135 Thou wretched boy that didst consort him here
Shalt with him hence.
ROMEO This shall determine that.
They fight. Tybalt falls.
BENVOLIO
Romeo, away, begone!
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain.
140 Stand not amazed. The Prince will doom thee death
If thou art taken. Hence, be gone, away.
ROMEO
O, I am Fortune’s fool!
BENVOLIO Why dost thou stay?
Romeo exits.
Enter Citizens.
CITIZEN
Which way ran he that killed Mercutio?
145 Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?
BENVOLIO
There lies that Tybalt.
CITIZEN, ⌜to Tybalt⌝ Up, sir, go with me.
I charge thee in the Prince’s name, obey.
Enter Prince, old Montague, Capulet, their Wives and all.
PRINCE
Where are the vile beginners of this fray?
BENVOLIO
150 O noble prince, I can discover all
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.
There lies the man, slain by young Romeo,
That slew thy kinsman, brave Mercutio.
LADY CAPULET
Tybalt, my cousin, O my brother’s child!
155 O prince! O cousin! Husband! O, the blood is spilled
Of my dear kinsman! Prince, as thou art true,
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For blood of ours, shed blood of Montague.
O cousin, cousin!
PRINCE
Benvolio, who began this bloody fray?
BENVOLIO
160 Tybalt, here slain, whom Romeo’s hand did slay—
Romeo, that spoke him fair, bid him bethink
How nice the quarrel was, and urged withal
Your high displeasure. All this utterèd
With gentle breath, calm look, knees humbly bowed
165 Could not take truce with the unruly spleen
Of Tybalt, deaf to peace, but that he tilts
With piercing steel at bold Mercutio’s breast,
Who, all as hot, turns deadly point to point
And, with a martial scorn, with one hand beats
170 Cold death aside and with the other sends
It back to Tybalt, whose dexterity
Retorts it. Romeo he cries aloud
“Hold, friends! Friends, part!” and swifter than his
tongue
175 His ⌜agile⌝ arm beats down their fatal points,
And ’twixt them rushes; underneath whose arm
An envious thrust from Tybalt hit the life
Of stout Mercutio, and then Tybalt fled.
But by and by comes back to Romeo,
180 Who had but newly entertained revenge,
And to ’t they go like lightning, for ere I
Could draw to part them was stout Tybalt slain,
And, as he fell, did Romeo turn and fly.
This is the truth, or let Benvolio die.
LADY CAPULET
185 He is a kinsman to the Montague.
Affection makes him false; he speaks not true.
Some twenty of them fought in this black strife,
And all those twenty could but kill one life.
I beg for justice, which thou, prince, must give.
190 Romeo slew Tybalt; Romeo must not live.
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PRINCE
Romeo slew him; he slew Mercutio.
Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?
⌜MONTAGUE⌝
Not Romeo, Prince; he was Mercutio’s friend.
His fault concludes but what the law should end,
195 The life of Tybalt.
PRINCE And for that offense
Immediately we do exile him hence.
I have an interest in your hearts’ proceeding:
My blood for your rude brawls doth lie a-bleeding.
200 But I’ll amerce you with so strong a fine
That you shall all repent the loss of mine.
⌜I⌝ will be deaf to pleading and excuses.
Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.
Therefore use none. Let Romeo hence in haste,
205 Else, when he is found, that hour is his last.
Bear hence this body and attend our will.
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
⌜They⌝ exit, ⌜the Capulet men
bearing off Tybalt’s body.⌝