
Claire C. answered 03/01/23
Experienced Grades 6-12 Tutor: Biology, English, Writing, SAT/ACT
The brawl begins with two servants from the Capulet house (Sampson and Gregory), who send an insulting gesture (biting one's thumb) to two servants from the Montague house.
This escalates to Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet) stepping in and drawing their swords, and Tybalt scorns Benvolio's request for peace, beginning the physical attack. Various citizens become involved, and eventually Montague and Capulet themselves (along with their wives) enter the scene. They nearly begin fighting too when Prince Escalus steps in and stops the brawl, with the punishment for disturbing the peace again being death.
The scene ends with all exiting the scene except Benvolio, Montague, and Lady Montague.