Benvolio and Tybalt
In life, there will always be someone who foils or contrasts someone else completely. It may not necessarily cause problems, but if not handled correctly, it easily could. In the play “Romeo and Juliet”, there are several characters that contrast each other. One prime example would be the differences between Benvolio and Tybalt. This is because they are so different in so many ways, and so there is much to talk about when explaining their personalities and characteristics. Overall, Benvolio and Tybalt are depicted as complete opposites, and the foil of these characters helps as foreshadowing for later on in the play.
If there was a situation in which Tybalt and Benvolio were about to fight, this is most likely what would be said by the two before and/or during it. Benvolio would say that he would like to keep peace between them, and would only fight if a punch was thrown. He said: “Tybalt shall either fight me or die” (1.1.102-105), showing that he would fight if it came down to it. On the other hand, Tybalt would have something completely different to say. He would like to fight, and is ready to fight Benvolio at any given moment. Although Benvolio would like to keep peace between them, Tybalt keeps threatening to fight and kill Benvolio. This shows that Tybalt is immature and cannot control himself and keep peace, no matter how much Benvolio tries to create peace.
Completely different are the overall emotions and characteristics of Tybalt and Benvolio. Tybalt is prone to fighting, furious, wild, and a hostile type of person. He once said: “I will not talk of peace, I
hate the word” (1.1.66-68), which shows that he is not even attempting to make peace with Benvolio.
Although Tybalt is very much against peace, Benvolio is much different. Benvolio is a calm, peaceful, rational, and kind-hearted person. He is more of a laid back type of person, while Tybalt is someone that is rash, and makes decisions too quick without thinking....