Answer:
It is full of action, bound to capture the audience's attention. Provides background information by showing us how all are caught up in the fight between the feuding families, even lowly servants like Sampson, Gregory and the Montague men. The hatred between the Montagues and Capulets is long-standing. This scene also gives us valuable insights into the characters of Romeo, Tybalt and Benvolio. Romeo is established as a melancholy, emotional person who stubbornly sticks to his feelings, even if those feelings are inappropriate. Tybalt is established as a hothead, as he refuses to listen to reason and continues a fight that Benvolio was attempting to stop. And Benvolio is established as a calm voice of reason and a true friend to Romeo.
The first scene of Romeo and Juliet is important because it establishes the feud beteween the Capulets and the Montagues, the two primary families in the play. It also introduces us to the characters of Romeo, Benvolio and Tybalt.
The scene opens with two Capulet servants, Sampson and Gregory, discussing what they would do if a Montague came along. Sampson prides himself on his courage, saying he would attack if provoked or insulted. Gregory jokingly calls his fellow servant a coward. When a servant of the Montague household comes along, words are exchanged and a fight insues. Benvolio, of Montague house, tries to stop the fight, but is interrupted by Tybalt, who picks a fight with him. The fight spreads until the entire street is filled with members of the Capulet and Montague households fighting. Both Lord Montague and Lord Capulet attempt to enter the fight, but are stopped by their wives. The Prince of Verona finally arrives and pronounces a sentence of death for anyone of either house who disturbs the peace in the city again.
After the fight is over, the Montagues question Benvolio about the fight and then mention to them that their son Romeo has been acting strange lately. BEnvolio promises to find out why and speaks to Romeo, who tells him that he is depressed because he loves a girl who will not respond to his advances. Benvolio suggests that Romeo look at other girls so that he will forget this one.
