In Act I of Romeo and Juliet, how are Benvolio and Tybalt characterized?

BENVOLIO

A cousin and friend
of Romeo's, Benvolio is usually the voice of reason for the more emotional Romeo. In Act
I, he judiciously tells the street brawlers, 

readability="6">

Part, fools!
Put up your swords; you
know not what you do.
(1.1.54-55)

After Lord
Montague rushes out to the street, Benvolio offers him a calm, rational, and blameless
explanation of the situation, telling him that the Capulet servants were fighting with
theirs when the fiery Tybalt Capulet entered and wielded his sword against him. Benvolio
adds that they were only exchanging "thrusts and blows...Till the Prince came" and
parted them. Then, when Romeo's father asks about his son's whereabouts, Benvolio
replies that he has seen Romeo wandering in the Sycamore grove, but does not know the
reason he shuns company. After Benvolio promises Lord Montague that he will learn what
troubles Romeo, Lord Montague then exits.

When Romeo
approaches, Benvolio stops him and with great solicitude he inquires about the cause of
Romeo's melancholy. Romeo finally reveals that he is "out" of love as the woman does not
love him. In an effort to cheer Romeo, Benvolio makes light of what he has
said,

Alas,
that love, so gentle in his view,
Sould be so tyrannous and rough in proof!
(1.1.159-160)

But, when he
realizes that Romeo is truly despondent, Benvolio sympathizes, saying that he "rather
weep" at Romeo's "good heart oppression" (173-175). Further, he tries to cheer Romeo by
teasing him. For instance, when Romeo tells Benvolio that the woman he loves is
beautiful, Benvolio becomes a little bawdy: "A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest
hit" (1.1.198). But, when Romeo remains despondent, Benvolio suggests that he look
elsewhere in order to forget about his unrequited love; there is a feast at the
Capulet's where "admired beauties of Verona" will
be. 

But in
that crystal scales let there be weigh'd 
Your lady's love against some other
maid
That I will show yon shining at this feast
(1.1.98-100)

TYBALT

A
volatile cousin of Juliet, Tybalt has an irrational hatred for the Montagues. (In
Luhrmann's 1996 film, Tybalt enters dressed in a devil's costume.) His first words
display well his choleric temperament as he accosts
Benvolio:

readability="10">

What drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the
word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
Have at thee, coward!
(1.1.56-58)

Tybalt does not
reappear until Scene 5 when he spots Romeo at the feast. When he does, he immediately
calls for his sword as he is incensed that Romeo would dare to come wearing a mask--"an
antic face"--and "scorn our solemnity" (1.5.55). Because his character is one of loyalty
(recall his impassioned defense of Juliet and the family), Tybalt feels justified in
killing Romeo: "To strike him dead, I hold it not a sin" (1.5.61). His anger grows as he
informs his uncle that a foe has come to "scorn at our solemnity this night" (1.5.65).
Lord Capulet tells him to leave Romeo alone because the time is wrong: "You'll make a
mutiny among my guests!" (1.5.79). Tybalt agrees to withdraw, but Romeo's prank will be
paid for later.

readability="9">

I will withdraw, but this intrusion
shall

Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest gall.
(1.5.90-91)

This
reaction of Tybalt certainly foreshadows the violence to come, and it also indicates his
single-mindedness. He is constantly in a state of rage whenever he is confronted with a
Montague.