Why is Tybalt so hot tempered?

Answer 1

Capulet loses his temper because Juliet will not go along with his plan to marry her to Paris

Answer 2

Mrs. Capulet is way more upset by Tybalt's death than anyone else on stage. Why is that? It's because Tybalt is her relative, not Capulet's. She says, "Tybalt, my cousin! O, my brother's child." Tybalt is only related to the Capulets by marriage, by her marriage to Capulet. Capulet is no doubt thinking that Tybalt is a saucy boy and a princox who probably got what he deserved and good riddance, but to Mrs. C this is a close relative who has died.

This difference carries on as Mrs. C plans revenge on Romeo by sending poisoners to Mantua, and Capulet carries on as if nothing had happened with his plans with Paris, apologising that Juliet seems to be broken up by her cousin's death.

Answer 3

It is possible that Tybalt is so hot-tempered simply because he has no love-interest: most of the people in Verona seem to interested only in fighting or loving - when they aren't doing one, they are doing the other.

But if you are careful you may notice that Old Capulet really doesn't like Tybalt one bit - and Tybalt doesn't like Old Capulet either. On the other hand Lady Capulet (who Old Capulet also doesn't seem to like much) has an extravagant reaction to Tybalt's death.

Lady Capulet is some thirty years younger than her husband. (Lady Capulet is twice Juliet's age - so about thirty. Old Capulet last went to a masque almost thirty years ago - he must be over fifty).

Perhaps something is going on between Tybalt and Lady Capulet; perhaps Old Capulet half-suspects this.

That would explain a lot.

Answer 4

Juliet refus