Sample+Compare+Contrast

In Shakespeare's play, //Romeo and Juliet,// a deep and ancient hatred exists between two rivaling families: The Montagues and the Capulets. The resentment between the two families escalates into a violent conflict when Romeo and his friends crash the Capulet’s party, and from there, death and fighting ensue. In the midst of the rivalry, two young men, Tybalt and Benvolio, emerge and both attempt to uphold their families’ honor in the best way they see fit. While both Benvolio and Tybalt refuse to stand idly by, and they both act strongly to support their causes, Benvolio’s mission is one of peace, while Tybalt strives for combat. Both of the young men are very determined and they support their families and friends in the best way that they see fit. Benvolio, when faced with a love-struck Romeo who is weeping of his undying love for Rosaline, does not ignore and laugh off his extreme and dramatic reactions. Rather, he promises to teach him take his mind of the girl and alleviate his pain. He pledges “I’ll pay that doctrine or else die in debt”, (1.1.232) demonstrating his loyalty to his friends. Tybalt too, is reluctant to stand by and watch dishonor or shame come to his family. When he sees Romeo, an enemy at the Capulet’s party, he orders “Fetch me my rapier, boy” (1.5.52) and is ready to defend his family’s honor against what he believes to be an enemy ready to “scorn against our solemnity” (1.5.61). Tybalt and Benvolio are both men of action, and do not care to be observers, but rather they execute their wills. The main difference between the two is that they believe in different ways to uphold their families honor. Benvolio believes that the best results come through justice and peace. He takes this to heart, and throughout the entire play can be seen attempting to defuse hot situations with cries like, “I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword” (1.1.61) and “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.” (3.1.1). He is not a coward, and will fight and argue with friend and enemies in order to prevent fighting from breaking out. Also, he displays his belief that justice will be brought to those who have done wrong by often serving as a witness of what happened during particularly horrible fights, “O noble prince, I can discover all the unlucky manage of this fatal brawl” (3.1.140-141). Benvolio is one of the few characters in the play that actually thinks and acts with a cool laid back style, as the rest of the characters are normally diving head first into strong emotions and feelings. In contrast to Benvolio, Tybalt considers the best way to uphold his family’s honor to be through supremacy and dominance. He claims “As I hate hell, all Montagues and thee”,(1.1.54) spitting back Benvolio’s offers of peace. He refutes peace as well, and is extremely contentious. Unlike Benvolio, who is an honest, trustworthy man, Tybalt is somewhat rebellious. When Lord Capulet orders him to leave Romeo alone and that he “shall be endured” (1.5.74), Tybalt doesn’t start a fight with Romeo right then, but later encounters Romeo and attempts to fight him. Unfortunately, this action led to Mercutio’s death, as well as his own. Tybalt’s rowdy nature eventually got the better of him, as he was killed in a fight that he provoked. Finally, in this play, these two characters both are determined and action-orientated characters that do not hesitate to do what they think is best for their families. However, Tybalt’s ideas differ from Benvolio’s as he believes that violence and dominance over the other family is best, and Benvolio believes that peace and justice between everyone is most beneficial. Shakespeare seems to suggest that Tybalt’s ideas are incorrect, as violence and a struggle for supremacy were not beneficial, and led to the deaths of many, including him. If the families had been more inclined towards Benvolio’s mind frame, perhaps such a tragedy would not have occurred and Romeo and Juliet