Why does Tybalt challenge romeo to a duel then fight mercutio?

Answer 1

Tybalt is a Capulet, Romeo a Montague and these families are enemies. But the challenge is a direct result of Romeo gatecrashing a party at the Capulet house where he meets Juliet for the first time. Romeo refuses the challenge as he has already been secretly married to Juliet earlier that day.

Answer 2

Tybalt saw Romeo at the Capulets' party. Romeo is a Montague, and therefore he was most definitely not invited to the Capulets' party. Tybalt thinks he is there to mock their family, and thinks it's a disgrace to have a Montague in their house; however, Capulet says Romeo is acting like a behaved gentleman, and tells Tybalt to leave him alone. Tybalt argues back, saying he would fight Romeo then and there; in the end, Capulet looses patience with Tybalt and tells him off for being cheeky. Tybalt decides not to fight Romeo at the party, but says he will fight him some other day, which is why he sent a challenge to Romeo.

Answer 3

In act 1, Tybalt catches Romeo at the Capulet's feast. Whether or not Tybalt also knows that Romeo was flirting with Juliet is up for debate as the film versions show that he sees them together but there is nothing to indicate that in the text. Although Romeo is there with Mercutio (who is an invited guest) Romeo's presence can be seen as crashing the party. Tybalt is a hothead and is infuriated that Romeo, the son of the sworn enemy of the Capulets, the Montagues, has the audacity to be there. In addition, when he points out the intrusion to his uncle, Lord Capulet, Capulet tells him "Verona speaks of him to be a well-mannered youth. I would not for all the wealth in Verona do him disparagement here in my house. Therefore, take no note of him..." (that's a loose quote, check the text for the accurate quote). Tybalt cannot let the "insult" go and challenges him to a duel. This turn of events is all the more tragic because 1) Tybalt doesn't know Juliet is in love with Romeo (and married to him by the time they have the tragic confrontation in the town square) and 2) Romeo doesn't know Tybalt saw him at the party and so doesn't know why Tybalt is so pissed off at him.

Answer 4

Romeo turns down his challenge but then Mercutio issues a challenge of his own, ostensibly because he is ashamed at Romeo's cowardice, but really because he has been dying to fight Tybalt from the get-go.

Answer 5

because he is offended that romeo shows up at the Capulet ball

Answer 6

I think it is because Romeo and friends crashed the Capulets party. Romeo does not want to fight as he is crawling with happiness from his wedding