In Act I, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet two Capulet servants instigate a brawl with the Montagues, prompted by an insulting gesture. When Benvolio arrives he immediately attempts to break up the fight, saying, "Part fools!/Put up your swords. You know not what you do." Unfortunately, Tybalt, the nephew of Lord Capulet, arrives on the scene and only exacerbates the situation. Named for the sly cat in the fable Reynard the Fox,...
In Act I, Scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet two Capulet servants instigate a brawl with the Montagues, prompted by an insulting gesture. When Benvolio arrives he immediately attempts to break up the fight, saying, "Part fools!/Put up your swords. You know not what you do." Unfortunately, Tybalt, the nephew of Lord Capulet, arrives on the scene and only exacerbates the situation. Named for the sly cat in the fable Reynard the Fox, Tybalt immediately insults Benvolio and looks to manipulate the nephew of Lord Montague into a fight by suggesting that Benvolio may be a coward because he is "drawn among these heartless hinds." The term "drawn" means that Benvolio has displayed his sword and this seems to be excuse enough for Tybalt to threaten him and prolong the fight. Tybalt can later claim that he was only fighting in self defense. In reality, of course, Benvolio has only drawn his sword to be a peacekeeper. For Tybalt, however, the main reason for fighting Benvolio is simple hatred:
What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.
Have at thee, coward!
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