In Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet when Romeo arrives during the confrontation between Mercutio and Tybalt, his attempts to arbitrate and ameliorate the animosity between Tybalt and him causes more problems. For, Tybalt is enraged at Romeo for having the effrontery to say that he loves him:
Romeo, the hate I bear thee can afford/No better term than this--thou art a villain.
Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee/Doth much excuse the appertaining rage./To such a greeting. Villain am I none,/Therefore frewell. I see thou know'st me not.
Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries/That thou hast done me, therefore, turn and draw. (III,i,49-55)
Then, this choleric outcry, added to what he perceives as weakness in Romeo, causes Mercutio to become incensed:
Oh, clam, dishonorable, vile submission!/Alla stoccata carries it away. [Draws a sword] (III,i,61-62)
Thus, the well-meaning intervention of Romeo certainly goes awry and causes more conflict. Even later, when Juliet learns that her beloved cousin Tybalt has been killed by the hand of Romeo, Juliet is conflicted in her grief and torn between her affections for both men.
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