The servants of the Montagues soon progress from insults to swordplay against the servants of the Capulets. Then Benvolio enters. Benvolio is the nephew of Montague. More importantly, Benvolio is one of the few reasonable people in the play. Seeing the servants fighting, Benvolio draws out his own sword to knock the other swords down. Benvolio is aware that the consequences will be serious if the forces of justice discover the quarrel. So, Benvolio takes action to stop the fighting.
But then Tybalt enters. Tybalt is the nephew to Lady Capulet. More importantly, Tybalt is a figure of emotion, specifically hatred. When Benvolio attempts to explain to Tybalt that he is trying to keep the peace, Tybalt responds with the following:
What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. (63-64)
Tybalt’s hatred is all encompassing. His emotion is intense, and he views all members of the Montague household equally. So, he attacks Benvolio without a moment’s hesitation; and Benvolio has no choice but to defend himself. Benvolio and Tybalt represent the two extremes: reason and emotion. The other characters in the play fall somewhere in between the two extremes, yet most of them are much closer to Tybalt than they are to Benvolio.
When the heads of the household, Montague
and Capulet, arrive, they too wish to join the fight. Fortunately, the Prince of Verona arrives just in time to stop them.