Romeo kills Tybalt in a sword fight. It happens right after Tybalt kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio.

Is Tybalt related to Juliet?

Yes. Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin, the nephew of her mother, Lady Capulet.

Why does Tybalt hate Romeo?

Because Romeo is a Montague, and Tybalt is fiercely loyal to the Capulet side of the feud. He is furious when Romeo comes to the Capulet party.

From Romeo and Juliet

Tybalt

Capulet cousin • Proud and fierce

Juliet’s quick-tempered cousin, who is fiercely proud of the Capulet name.

Who is Tybalt?

Tybalt is Juliet’s fiery cousin, who is fiercely proud of the Capulet family name. He has a quick temper and is always ready to quarrel with any Montague. At the masked party he spots Romeo and wants to chase him out, but Lord Capulet orders him to stop. Tybalt obeys, yet he holds onto his grudge and goes looking for trouble later.

Tybalt is a character in Romeo and Juliet, the 1597 play by William Shakespeare, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Tybalt like?

Proud
Fiery
Impatient

Tybalt’s story

Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin, the nephew of Lady Capulet, and he is the most quarrelsome Capulet. We first meet him in the opening street fight, where he challenges Benvolio and says he hates peace as he hates hell. Almost everything he does comes from pride in his family.

At the Capulet feast he spots Romeo and wants to fight him on the spot. Lord Capulet stops him, and Tybalt leaves, angry that the matter is not settled. Afterward he sends Romeo a challenge by letter.

In Act 3 Tybalt finds Romeo in the street and Romeo will not fight. Mercutio fights him instead, and Tybalt’s sword kills Mercutio. Romeo then fights back, and Tybalt is killed. His death leads to Romeo’s banishment. Juliet’s family grieves for him, and she is torn between that and her love for Romeo.

“What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee”

Tybalt, in the opening street fight, Act 1. From the original 1597 play by William Shakespeare.

A moment to remember

At the masked party, Tybalt recognizes Romeo’s voice behind his mask and turns red with fury, until his uncle firmly orders him to leave Romeo alone.

Juliet Capulet: cousin
Lord Capulet: uncle by marriage
Romeo Montague: enemy
Mercutio: fights and kills him

Talk about it

Tybalt held onto his anger instead of letting it go. What are some things you can do to calm down when you feel really angry?

Questions about Tybalt

Who kills Tybalt?: Romeo kills Tybalt in a sword fight. It happens right after Tybalt kills Romeo’s friend Mercutio.
Is Tybalt related to Juliet?: Yes. Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin, the nephew of her mother, Lady Capulet.
Why does Tybalt hate Romeo?: Because Romeo is a Montague, and Tybalt is fiercely loyal to the Capulet side of the feud. He is furious when Romeo comes to the Capulet party.