Violence Erupts In Verona

Yesterday civil brawl erupted in the market place of Verona between the Montagues and the Capulets. Being the third civil brawl the fed up prince Escalus orders death on the next participants to take place in one of the petty brawls.

In the marketplace, two Capulet servants Sampson and Gregory insult the Montague house in earshot of Abram and Balthasar two Montague servants. Remarks such as “’tis true; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore, I will push Montague’s men from the wall and thrust his maids to the wall. ‘Tis all one.

I will show myself a tyrant. When I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids. I will cut off their heads.” Spoken by Sampson and actions such as biting their thumbs at the montages made Abram and Balthasar’s blood boil.

As the insults flew good-natured, Benvolio entered the scene and immediately tried to break up the fight. Benvolio is Montague’s nephew. Unfortunately, his efforts were futile and a fight broke out. “The battle was going pretty slowly, but heated up when Tybalt came.” Said a citizen who viewed the fight. Tybalt is lady Capulet’s nephew.

Benvolio continued to try to keep the peace but it seemed like Tybalt had thought that he had drawn his sword upon the servants and was in no mood for peaceful thinking. As the fight went on a few citizens and an officer came and tried to break up the fight by threatening he duelers, but this also did not stop them.

Eventually lord Capulet entered the scene and he tried to join the fight but his wife protested. The prince then came in and stopped the brawl. Prince Escalus decreed a new guideline in because of the brawls.

The prince declared, “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, profaners of this neighbor-stained steel, will they not bear? What hoe, you men, you beasts, that quench the fire of your pernicious rage, with purple fountains issuing from your veins: on pain of torture, from those bloody hands 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, cank’red with peace, to part your cank’red hate, if ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.

For this time all the rest depart away: you Capulet shall go along with me, and Montague come you this afternoon, to know our fathers pleasure in this case: to old freetown, our common judgment place: once more on pain of death, all men depart.”