Servants of the Capulet family start a fight with Montague family servants. Benvolio, a Montague, draws his sword and attempts to break up the fight. Tybalt, a Capulet, sees the drawn sword of Benvolio. Tybalt draws his sword and, after Benvolio tries to avoid conflict, Tybalt attacks. The fight escalates. Montague and Capulet enter the scene. The Prince enters and commands the fight to end. Frustrated with the family feud, the Prince declares a death sentence on anybody who starts more trouble.

BENVOLIO

Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do.

Enter TYBALT

TYBALT

What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds°?

Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death.

BENVOLIO

I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword

Or manage it to part these men with me.

...

Benvolio then discusses the quarrel with Tybalt with his uncle (Romeo's father):

MONTAGUE

Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach?[11]

Speak, nephew. Were you here when it began?

BENVOLIO

Here were the servants of your adversary

And yours, close fighting ere° I did approach.

I drew to part them; in the instant came

The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared,

Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears,

He swung about its head and cut the winds,

Which, nothing hurt at all, hissed it in scorn.

While we were interchanging thrusts and blows

Came more and more who fought on part and part,

Til the prince came, who parted either part.

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3 years ago