Holden is identified with Mercutio and not Tybalt because in he is more similar to Mercutio. one of the protagonist's in Romeo and Juliet. Tybalt, on the other hand is one of the antagonist's. For example, when Holden is beaten up for not paying the extra five dollars for Sunny, he is punched in the stomach by Maurice. With this follows his exaggeration which leads to thoughts of suicide. All Holden tries to do is the right thing, and like Mercutio, he is forced to suffer the consequences.