Romeo and Juliet

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1. 
   linda-allen Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   The Prince is the person who threatens death to the next Capulet or Montague who disturbs the peace of Verona. In Act I, scene 1, Sampson and Gregory (on the Capulet side) pick a fight with Abraham and Balthasar (on the Montague side). Other people from both sides of the feud join the fight until finally a near riot breaks out. The Prince is fed up with the feud and tells the brawlers:

   Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
   By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
   Have thrice disturb'd 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,
   Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate:
   If ever you disturb our streets again,
   Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

   In other words, he's going to hold Mr. Capulet and Mr. Montague personally responsible for any more trouble caused by any of their supporters.

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo-text/3374

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   Posted by linda-allen on Thursday May 1, 2008 at 7:07 AM
   
   

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