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Question: Tybalt from Romeo and Juilet!?
What nationality is his name!? Where did it come from!? How is it siginifcant to the story!? (this is a project I have to do and I can not find the answer to those questions anywhere!)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Tybalt is originated in the name "Thibault", which is of French/Latin origin!. It was later used in reference to cats, as it was used in a popular story of Reynard, whom in which cats were named "tyberts", "tybults", and "thibaults"!.

Tybalt's nickname is "the Prince of Cats"!. This could have been so for a couple of reasons!. One of which is because his name is Tybalt, which often referenced cats (as explained above)!.

Another reason is that, through description of both Mercutio and Benvolio, Tybalt is an arrogant, risk-taking, "tomcat", who is always on the prowl for either a good time or for a fight!. Mercutio references this a number of times, calling him a "rat-catcher", threatening to take "one of his nine lives"!. Being that the play takes place in Italy, Shakespeare made references to Italian slang, as he often used slang, puns, and vulgarities in order to keep the attention of his cruder audience members!. To call a man a tomcat or a prince of cats is calling them out in a sexual derogatory term!. It's the ancient version of calling someone a manwhore or slut!.
To read Mercutio's lines in which he says these things, refer to Act III, Scene I!.

Cats were often seen as ill-tempered creatures, especially if they lived in a hot place such as Italy (or in this case, the city Verona)!. It was mentioned multiple times that the city was in a heat wave and tempered flared!. Tybalt was obviously an ill-tempered character, as he caused many of the brawls that take place in the play!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I didn't read the play, but here is his character analysis :

He is a nephew to Lord Capulet and a cousin to Juliet!. He does not speak many lines, but he influences the entire course of the play to a degree that exceeds his seemingly minor role in it!. Throughout the play, he demonstrates his angry, resentful, and stubborn nature!. When Tybalt first appears, Benvolio is attempting to stop the servants of the Capulet and Montague households from fighting!. By contrast, Tybalt urges on the fight and succeeds in drawing Benvolio in to fighting with him!. At the Capulet party, Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice and within ten words is calling for his sword!. He also refers to Romeo as a "slave" (I!.v!.55)!. Tybalt says he does not consider it a sin to strike Romeo dead!.

Tybalt shows his stubbornness at the Capulet party!. Lord Capulet urges Tybalt to control himself, telling him that he is acting like a boy trying to be a man!. Although Tybalt has to give in to his uncle, he vows to get revenge on Romeo for coming to the Capulet party uninvited!. The next day, Tybalt sends a letter to Romeo's house challenging him to a duel!.

Tybalt's actions in Act III influence the remaining events of the play!. He quarrels with Mercutio and challenges Romeo to a sword fight!. Tybalt insults Romeo, and he insists that Romeo draw his sword and fight with him!. Romeo refuses to fight, and Mercutio instead takes up the challenge!. Tybalt is a skilled fighter, according to Mercutio, who comments that Tybalt has studied dueling!. Thus, when Mercutio taunts him and calls for a fencing move, Tybalt is able to display it!. In addition to his being belligerent and stubborn, Tybalt also has no qualms about fighting unfairly!. When Romeo steps between the fighters, Tybalt stabs Mercutio under Romeo's arm!. After Mercutio is killed, Tybalt declares that Romeo will accompany Mercutio in death!. Instead, Tybalt is slain!.


Since you are working on a project, check this link too :

http://www!.shmoop!.com/character/literatu!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com