How do you answer a character assessment exam question, for example Tybalt from Romeo and Juliet?

Start by noting the very basic background information on the character, for example, Tybalt is a Capulet and is Juliet’s cousin. Then consider the role that the character plays in the plot, Tybalt, for example, is the antagonist in the play and his violent actions act as catalysts to the unfolding of the plot. Most of the character analysis should come from close readings of events and language in the play. This should include, not just the character’s own actions and language, but also the language other characters use about them. When supporting your arguments with evidence from the text it is important to display an awareness of the context of the line, who says it and where it fits in the story. Context is crucial as you could make an argument that Tybalt is a great friend, who is ‘courteous’ and ‘honest’ based on the Nurse’s lines ‘O Tybalt, Tybalt, the best friend I had!/O courteous Tybalt! honest gentleman!’. However, it is important to show awareness that this is not an objective view of Tybalt. The Nurse often uses hyperbole in her language, and this line is said right after Tybalt has died, which might make it more positive and impassioned. A strong answer would consider other evidence in the play, which counters this perspective, for example, when he sees Romeo at the Capulet party, Tybalt’s reaction is to tell his servant ‘Fetch me my rapier, boy’. This instance could be used to counter the Nurse’s description of him as ‘courteous’, as it shows that his first instinct when challenged is violence. This reinforces Tybalt’s language earlier in the play when he tells Benvolio ‘peace! I hate the word,/As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee’.

Character assessments can be a good opportunity to showcase language analysis skills as there is often ambiguity of meaning or scope for multiple interpretations. The description of Tybalt as ‘Prince of Cats’, might be in reference to his agility as a swordsman, but could also denote predatory inclinations and the stalking of his prey. A well-rounded answer might also consider the characters' motivation, for instance, arguably Tybalt's one redeeming characteristic is loyalty to his kin. It is this blind loyalty which is his justification for his violent actions, shown by the line 'by the stock and honour of my kin,/To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin'.