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References to Pride & Honour in Romeo & Juliet

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Quote | Character | Situation | What it tells us about the character | What it tells us about the action of the scene | References to historical & cultural features Men’s eyes were made to look and let them gaze; I will not budge for no man’s pleasure, I. | Mercutio | Act 3, Scene 1, at a public place, Tybalt has appeared and has asked to speak with either Benvolio or Mercutio. Mercutio starts teasing Tybalt on purpose. Benvolio points out that they are in audience of the public and should reason in private. | Mercutio is not about to take into consideration what others may think of him. He will not hold his tongue for anyone and spare onlookers nothing for the sake of “decency”. He refuses to keep in check just because someone may be …show more content…

| The complete opposite of Romeo, who doesn’t consider the feud anything to do with him personally, Tybalt takes it more personally than the head of the family himself and considers “enduring” Romeos presence humiliating and a scorn against his name. He takes the matter of pride seriously. | Tybalt is reluctant to let go of the matter even though his uncle has made his stand-point clear. | The word “shame” is not used in the soft sense that we interpret today. It is meant as a dishonour, a disgrace, an insult, which in those days was justifiable cause for a challenge - a fair trial in the eyes of God – a duel. I will withdraw: but this intrusion shall now seeming sweet convert to bitter gall. | Tybalt | Act 1, Scene 5, at the masked ball hosted by the Capulets, he has been lectured by his uncle further to leave Romeo be and has given up on arguing. | Tybalt shows us here, that although with some convincing (?) he is willing to obey, that does not mean he is willing to forget. He clearly is a character that holds a grudge and will not rest until the scores a settled. | This conversation has ended with Tybalt’s retreat but an ominous threat to Romeo. It is clear that things will turn sour for him where Tybalt is concerned and his murderous intent remains just inside the boundaries of the festive atmosphere. Draw, Benvolio; beat

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