Now, Tybalt, take the ‘villain’ back again
That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul
Is but a little way above our heads,
Staying for thine to keep him company:
Either thou or I, or both, must go with him.
-Romeo
Romeo And Juliet Act III, Scene i, Line 130
Tybalt has just killed Romeo’s friend Mercutio. I’m not exactly sure what the ‘villain’ bit is about, but the rest is pretty self explanatory as Romeo prepares to fight Tybalt. It’s interesting that Romeo is considering that he, or perhaps both of them, might get killed in the process. That’s not exactly the words of a supremely confident fighter, is it? But then, I suppose that Romeo is really a lover, not a fighter.
I remember discussing this line with my associate here. I said,
"Okay Bud, show me the face of a guy who's upset that his friend has just been killed and is challenging the killer to a fight. But keep in mind that this guy is also a little bit worried that it might be himself who gets killed by challenging the killer.
So this is the look that Romeo would have as he's saying these lines. What do you think? I think he nailed it.
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