Moment 6: Tybalt's death

Question 1

“Away to heaven, respective lenity, / And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” (Romeo, 3.1)

Answer 1

Romeo’s transformation from a lover to a vengeful fighter is captured in the contrast between “heaven” (associated with mercy) and “fire-eyed fury” (symbolizing rage). Shakespeare critiques how passion, whether love or anger, can lead to destruction when left unchecked.

Question 2

“O, I am fortune’s fool!” (Romeo, 3.1)

Answer 2

The term “fortune’s fool” suggests that he is merely a pawn in a greater cosmic plan, reinforcing the Elizabethan belief in predestined fate.

In Shakespeare’s time, many people believed that their lives were controlled by fate and the stars

Question 3

“Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, / Shalt with him hence.” (Tybalt, 3.1)

Answer 3

Tybalt’s dismissal of Romeo as a “wretched boy” reflects his belief in honor and dueling culture, where masculinity is measured by strength and aggression.

Dueling was common among noblemen in the Elizabethan period, as defending one’s honor was a matter of pride and social status

Question 4

“Prince, as thou art true, / For blood of ours shed blood of Montague.” (Lady Capulet, 3.1)

Answer 4

Her plea shows the role of women in the conflict—while she does not fight herself, she calls for retribution, proving that the feud’s ideology affects everyone. Shakespeare critiques the way vengeance is embedded in societal structures, making tragedy unavoidable.

Although women were expected to be passive in conflicts, Lady Capulet’s demand for justice shows how deeply the feud has shaped the Capulet family.