Romeo and Juliet Group

Question:

l-l
l-l
Student
High School - 9th Grade

How is Tybalt "more than Prince of Cats"? What is "Prince of Cats"?

I want to know how Tybalt is more dangerous than the fictional character the "Prince of Cats". And what might this image foreshadow?

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Posted by l-l on Saturday February 14, 2009 at 3:18 PM and tagged with capulet, cats, fight, juliet, mercutio, montague, prince of cats, romeo, romeo and juliet, tybalt.

Answers:


  1. robertwilliam

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    The "Prince of Cats" isn't a character in a fairy story. It's a nickname that Mercutio and Benvolio - and some of the other Montague boys, I think - have for Tybalt. Tybalt is the "Prince of Cats", and Mercutio's line means, in fact

    Don't think he's just the Prince of Cats! Oh no - he's way more than that...

    Why does Tybalt have the name "Prince of Cats"? It seems to be because he is such a fast swordsman, because he keeps taking deadly risks, and because he has nine lives (as Mercutio says in his death scene). Tybalt, Mercutio says,

    He fights as you sing pricksong, keeps time, distance, and proportion; rests me his minim rest, one, two, and the third in your bosom! the very butcher of a silk button, a duellist, a duellist!

    And, when Mercutio has been hurt by Tybalt's sword, referring to his role as a Cat (Cat-u-let, maybe?) complains he has received " a scratch, a scratch."

    In that death scene, moreover, Mercutio keeps teasing Tybalt using that nickname - a dangerous comedy which heightens the scene. So Tybalt is a "ratcatcher", and, when Tybalt asks what Mercutio wants, Mercutio replies

    Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives.

    Hope that helps!

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo-text/act-ii-scene-iv
    http://www.enotes.com/romeo-text/act-iii-scene-i

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    Posted by robertwilliam on Saturday February 14, 2009 at 4:02 PM


  2. wwjd Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    "Prince of Cats" means a good fighter, because cats are quick on their feet, just like good fighters are. Mercutio is a good fighter. (like, with a sword)

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    Posted by wwjd on Monday February 23, 2009 at 12:46 PM

  3. personal
    personal Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    "Prince of cats" is in fact a name from a fairy tale. It is from "Raynard The Fox" Search  up on that and you will get your answer.

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    Posted by personal on Thursday April 30, 2009 at 1:59 PM