Question

Using your understanding of diction and tone, select the best meaning for Tybalt's lines in the following section from Romeo and Juliet:

TYBALT
Romeo, the hate 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
To such a greeting: villain am I none;
Therefore farewell; I see thou know'st 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,
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 my own,—be satisfied.

A) Tybalt's diction indicates that he is trying to stay calm and be polite.
B) Tybalt's diction indicates that he is afraid of talking to Romeo in public.
C) Tybalt's diction indicates that he thinks he is better than the Montagues.
D) Tybalt's diction indicates that he is angry and hoping to start a fight.

Answer 1

Hello! Welcome to QuestionCove (QC).
Do you have any thoughts on what might be the answer? @kwicenzcik

Answer 2

Sorry, I forgot to add this:
Tip - What do you think Tybalt is feeling? Try to see this from his perspective. Which one would fit Tybalt the best if you were Tybalt?

Answer 3

I am thinking it is between C and D, but I am horrible with Romeo and Juliet, so I am most likely wrong.

Answer 4

Not at all! Actually, you're on the right track. Tybalt definitely has an air (tone) of superiority, and he is absolutely angry at Romeo.

Let's look at the quotes here:

Answer 5

I am leaning more towards D, because In this quote:
"Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries
That thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw."
Tybalt says, "therefore turn and draw" and it sounds as if he is trying to start a fight with Romeo

Answer 6

Yeah, that seems more logical. I get the confusion -- both of them seem appropriate depending on what angle you're seeing Tybalt's behavior.
But there's no proof that he thinks he's better than Romeo, but a LOT of how Tybalt is using his words points towards him trying to say nasty things so he can say Romeo attacked first.

Answer 7

tl;dr you're right, sorry about that 😅

Answer 8

so D is correct?

Answer 9

Yeah 🙂

Answer 10

Oh ok thank you so much!!!!!!!

Answer 11

Have a nice day :)

Answer 12

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