References to Pride & Honour in Romeo & Juliet Essay Example

personal honour when challenged.

He finds Romeo’s calm reaction to Tybalt a “dishonour” and clearly, by his scales, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.  Tybalt’s challenge obviously precedes a fight. When Romeo refuses, it sends the public into an even more anticipating state since Tybalt’s actions cannot be foretold and Mercutio clearly thinks differently from Romeo.  In England at the time, impugning a man’s honour, questioning his courage or his name was considered occasion enough to be challenged. Fighting a duel would allow the man to amend the wrong or injury done to him.

It was a common belief that life was not worth living without honour and it was noble to die defending it. “Mine honour is my life, both grow in one; Take honour from me, and my life is done;” - Richard II What dares the slave come hither, cover’d with an antic face, to fleer and score at our solemnity?  Tybalt Act 1, Scene 5, at the masked ball hosted by the Capulets at their home. Tybalt has spotted Romeo at the ball| Tybalt finds it cheeky that Romeo would appear at a Capulet’s ball. It is not something he can comprehend since their families are long-time enemies.

The festivities are not distraction enough for Tybalt’s agitation. Romeo, on the other hand, finds the festivities distraction enough to not worry about the hosts and the same goes for the hosts themselves. Tybalt seems to be the only potential cause of conflict. Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe, a villain that is hither come in spite, to scorn our solemnity this night.  Tybalt Act 1, Scene 5, at the masked ball hosted by the

Capulets at their home. Upon seeing Romeo, he is now discussing the matter with his uncle, the head of the Capulet family.  Tybalt decides that Romeo has arrived for the sole purpose of humiliating them.

He is fast to jump to conclusions that justify and flare his anger and can focus on nothing else. He is hot-headed and irrational. | Tybalt only sees his need to defend pride but Capulet has other priorities set. Again, the audience is steered to expect Tybalt to be the main cause of future conflict but for now Capulet is holding the danger at bay. Why, uncle, ‘tis a shame.

Act 1, Scene 5, at the masked ball hosted by the Capulets, he has been told by his uncle to leave Romeo be and endure his presence at the ball since he (Romeo) is a guest in. 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. 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 down their weapons. Gentlemen, for shame, forbear this outrage!  Romeo Act 3, Scene 1, at a public place, Romeo has refused Tybalt’s challenge to duel; Mercutio has taken it upon himself to fight in Romeo’s stead.  Romeo is a boy who prefers to avoid conflict and does not wish his friend to get involved even if it is for the sake of defending him. He is good-natured and calm but not at all times. Here we see Romeo passionately against the fight for the first time and this throws the audience into anticipation of how this chapter will unfold, especially since he has requested the assistance of a kinsman to stop the confrontation.

In those times, being insulted was occasion to demand a duel so as to clear your name. Tybalt felt wronged and executed his right to a duel. When challenged it was only normal to accept and defend your name as well. Romeo’s refusal was not only rude, but a stain to his name since he would then be labelled a coward

in the eyes of his peers and supposedly in the eyes of God.

This gentleman, the prince’s near ally, my very friend, hath got his mortal hurt in my behalf; my reputation stain’d with Tybalt’s slander  Act 3, Scene 1, at a public place, the duel between Tybalt and Mercutio has resulted in Mercutio’s death while Romeo tried to stop them.  We were left with the idea that Romeo thinks little of matters of ones reputation as seen by the public when he refused to draw, but this shows us clearly he is not completely indifferent. His friend has died defending the honour of the person who had refused to do so and for this he feels ashamed.

Mercutio’s death is the first to tick the boxes of a tragedy and now the level of anticipation rises as the events that tie the characters grow thicker and ever more dramatic.  Reputation is extremely important to Elizabethans. A man's reputation is maintained by those who are in a relationship with him, regardless of whether they are above or below him in station. Alive, in triumph! And Mercutio slain! ; Either thou, or I, must go with him. Romeo Act 3, Scene 1, at a public place, Tybalt (having fled after fatally wounding Mercutio) has now returned.

Romeo, enraged and hurting for his dead friend demands they duel to the death.  This shows us just how much Romeo’s friends mean to him and how loyal he is. Because of the situation leading to which his friend was killed, Romeo demands that either he or the murderer MUST accompany him (Mercutio) in death. Romeo’s moral principles are clearly outlined here. A

life for Mercutio’s to restore the balance.

Romeo’s swing from calm and unyielding to fierce and vengeful marks the point of the tables turning - from the audience fearing for Romeo to them witnessing Tybalt now in danger with his former pray now intent on taking his life. This reminds us of the principles of “An eye for an eye”, the purpose of which was to stand as a law for justifiable retribution for an offended party. If a person was hurt, the injured person (or their relative) would be right in exacting retribution from the person who caused it. In religion The New Testament stated that rather to seek vengeance, Christians were to “turn the other cheek” as opposed to the “eye for an eye” principle of The Old Testament. The New Testament was what Christians in Elizabethan England stood by.

Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone; Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-govern’d youth: I would not for the wealth of all the town here in my house do him disparagement Capulet Act 1, Scene 5, at the Capulet’s ball, Tybalt has seen Romeo and is intent on slaying him there. Capulet, his uncle, seeing Tybalt on his way, stops him to enquire about his “frowns”.  Capulet, although in feud with Romeo’s family, is reasonable. He respects him although he is a Montague and does not see his presence in his home as an insult. He is not obsessed with “honour of kin”.

This shows us that Capulet is a man who acts on occasion and not by default.  The sides that Tybalt and Capulet have taken are surprising since we would

expect Capulet’s reaction to compliment his nephew’s. Because of Capulet’s opinion and his authority we are reassured that for tonight Romeo is safe from Tybalt. He shall be endured: what, goodman boy! I say, he shall: go to; Am I master here, or you?  Capulet Act 1, Scene 5, at the Capulet’s ball, Capulet has told Tybalt to endure Romeo’s presence. Tybalt has refused.  Capulet’s anger at Tybalt’s refusal to obey speaks of his intolerance for disobedience.

Since he is the head of the family and master of the house, Tybalt’s cheeky response is an insult to his position (which he has stated clearly at the end of the quote). | With Capulet’s authority questioned, maybe Romeo isn’t as safe as we might have thought a few sentences earlier. “Master” in Elizabethan England was the head of the household and the absolute authority in those walls. The “Master” was the one to give orders and all in the house, male or female, were expected to obey without question. Tybalt’s refusal to ignore Romeo is a direct opposition to Capulet’s authority as master and is unacceptable behaviour.

Unacceptable is also Tybalt’s attitude towards Romeo who is first and foremost a guest under his roof. If the host’s servants or lower kinsmen fail to act accordingly and oppose him it reflects on his reputation, which falls, because HE has allowed it. Reputation was everything to Elizabethans.  But, as you will not wed, I’ll pardon you: graze where you will you shall not house with me; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets.  Capulet Act 3, Scene 5, in the Capulet household, Juliet has been told

she is to wed Paris and has refused, saying she is too young, to be pardoned. Again we are reminded of how fast Capulet is angered when he is opposed.

He has taken care to seek out a worthy groom for his daughter and she has directly refused to marry him. This is unacceptable and so he has threatened to disown her if, come the wedding day, she still refuses.  Although Juliet has already risked a lot by marrying Romeo in secret, now she has now created troubles with her father by opposing him. Her whole way of life is now officially on the line and the audience now knows there is no choice she can make that will be easy for her and have a happy outcome.