Question

1. according to the opening speech of the chorus, what will happen to romeo and juliet?

how will this affect their families?

act one, scene 1 (pages 488–490)

1. how does the fight begin?

1. benvolio and tybalt, nephews of each of the households, enter as the fighting begins.

what does each seem to be like? give reasons for your answers.

a. benvolio:

b. tybalt:

1. by the time the prince arrives, who is involved in the fight?

1. with what punishment does the prince threaten anyone in the montague or capulet

parties who breaks the peace again?

Explanation:

1. The Chorus's opening speech states Romeo and Juliet, from feuding families, will fall in love and die by suicide. Their deaths will end the long-standing hatred between the Montagues and Capulets.
2. The fight starts when Sampson (a Capulet servant) bites his thumb at Abram (a Montague servant), a provocative gesture in the play's context, leading to a verbal and then physical clash.
3. a. Benvolio: Peaceful and rational. He tries to stop the initial fight between the servants, saying "Part, fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do."

b. Tybalt: Hot-headed and aggressive. He dismisses Benvolio's peacemaking, calls him a coward, and escalates the fight by saying "What, drawn, and talk of peace? I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee."

1. By the time the Prince arrives, the fight has expanded to include servants from both households, Benvolio, Tybalt, Lord Montague, Lord Capulet, and Lady Capulet.
2. The Prince threatens the death penalty: if any Montague or Capulet breaks the peace again, they will be put to death.

Answer:

1. Romeo and Juliet will fall in love and die; their deaths will end their families' feud.
2. A Capulet servant (Sampson) provokes a Montague servant (Abram) by biting his thumb, sparking a fight.
3. a. Benvolio: Peaceful, rational. He attempts to stop the servants' fight.

b. Tybalt: Hot-headed, aggressive. He rejects peace and escalates the fight.

1. Servants of both households, Benvolio, Tybalt, Lord Montague, Lord Capulet, and Lady Capulet are involved.
2. The Prince threatens death for anyone who breaks the peace again.