What is Prince Escalus's reaction to the quarreling between the Capulet and Montague families in Romeo and Juliet?

1 Answer
Mar 16, 2016

He is very unhappy with them and warns them that if they continue fighting he will punish them seriously.

Explanation:

"Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word,
By thee, old Capulet, and Montague,
Have thrice disturb'd 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,
Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate:
If ever you disturb our streets again,
Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace." (1.1)

In this excerpt, Prince says that he is upset that the Capulets and Montagues have disturbed the peace in such a way. He says if they "disturb the streets again", that they will be killed.