In act 1, scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, who encourages the servants' fight from the Montague and Capulet families?
Though several characters could be charged with encouraging the fight that
takes place in act 1, scene 1, of Romeo and Juliet, by William
Shakespeare, there are three who stand out as contributing to the fighting with
specific verbal threats or actions: Sampson , Tybalt, and the crowd of...
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spectators.
The scene opens with Sampson and Gregory, two servants from the Capulet
household, discussing their hatred for the Montagues. As they talk, they cross
paths with Abram and an unnamed servant, both of the Capulet household. Sampson
is the first to encourage a fight, by telling Gregory, "My naked weapon is out.
Quarrel, I will back thee" (1:1:34–35).
Moments later, though, he suggests that the law will look more kindly on the
side who does not instigate the fight. "Let us take the law of our sides; let
them begin" (1:1:39–40). When Gregory suggests that he will frown at the
Capulet men as they walk by, Sampson says, "I will bite my thumb at them, which
is disgrace to them if they bear it" (1:1:43–44). Basically, Sampson is trying
to goad the Capulets into a fight by throwing out an insult that the Capulet
servants cannot ignore if they want to sustain their honor.
Benvolio arrives and tries to break up the fight, but, in doing so, he
appears—at least to Tybalt, a Capulet who is also just arriving on the scene—to
be participating in the fight with a drawn sword. Tybalt threatens Benvolio.
"Turn thee, Benvolio; look upon thy death," (1:1:68). When Benvolio asks for
Tybalt's help in stopping the fight, Tybalt responds by stating his hatred of
the Montagues:
What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. (1:1:71–72)
He then draws his sword and fights Benvolio.
The last encouragement for fight comes from a small group of citizens who are
on neither the Capulets' nor the Montagues' side. Members of the group shout
encouragement:
Clubs, bills, and partisans! Strike! Beat them down!
Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues! (1:1:74–75)
Ultimately, it is the entrance of Prince Escalus that breaks up the fight.
He criticizes both families and the mob that has gathered there for what has
become a routine disruption of the city's peace.
In summary, Sampson of the Montague house, Tybalt of the Capulet house, and a
crowd of citizens offer specific encouragement for the fight that takes place
in the opening scene. The fact that one instigator is from each family and the
citizens are against both families sets up a theme of fighting throughout the
play.
Source: Romeo and Juliet Folger Digital Text edition
https://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/download/pdf/Rom.pdf
In act 3, scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet, who is eager to fight?
There are two people who want to fight in Act III, Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet: Tybalt and Mercutio. Tybalt wants to fight Romeo, but Romeo refuses, prompting the hotheaded Mercutio to challenge Tybalt in his stead. In fact, when Tybalt initially approaches Mercutio, the latter responds to Tybalt's greeting with: "And but one word with one of us? / Couple it with something; make it a word and a blow" (39-40). This quote exemplifies the fact that Mercutio is itching for a brawl, even though the quarrel is between Romeo and Tybalt.
Based on this idea, it's perfectly plausible to suggest that Mercutio is partly responsible for Romeo's exile. Though Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge Mercutio's death, he only does so because his friend leapt into combat in the first place. As such, Mercutio's hot-headed nature is a major catalyst for not only Romeo's exile, but also the tragic events that follow.