Act 1 Sceme 1 Romeo And Juliet
The scene starts with two serving men of the Capulet family, Sampson and Gregory, entering the stage and begins the play in a conversation. “Enter Sampson and Gregory, of the house of Capulet, armed with swords and bucklers” They are in the city of Verona in Italy. Shortly two other serving men from the Montague family, Abram and Balthasar, enter and engage in the discussion with Sampson and Gregory. Benvolio, a member of the Montague family and Tybalt, a member of the Capulet family, arrive. “Benvolio offers to keep the peace but Tybalt refuses. 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. Tybalt - What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee: Have at thee, coward!” Tybalt and Benvolio fight with their swords, but the arrival of Prince Escalus stops them. He warns them that if the two families do not stop fighting, they will pay with their lives: “Throw your mistempered weapons to the ground And hear the sentence of your moved prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturbed the quiet of our streets
And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Cankered with peace, to part your cankered hate. If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace”
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