Question

The prince had told everyone that anyone starting a fight in the streets would be punished by death. Which of the following is most likely the reason that Mercutio is unafraid to start a fight with Tybalt?

He thinks Tybalt fights by the numbers and can easily be defeated.

The prince is his close relative and unlikely to punish him with death.

He knows that he is neither a Montague nor a Capulet, the two families that the prince is trying to control.

He did not know about the prince's decree.

Answer 1

The prince is his close relative and unlikely to punish him with death.

Answer 2

The prince is his close relative and unlikely to punish him with death.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scene of "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare opens with a quarrel between Tybalt, a Capulet and Mercutio, a very good friend of Romeo Montague and also a relative of the Prince. The two families of Capulet and Montague had been at loggerheads for a long time.

Later, in Act 3 scene i, we find Mercutio and Tybalt fighting, eventually killing Mercutio. The Prince had given the decree in Act I scene i of no public duels which was emphasized again by Romeo in Act 3 scene i when he tried to break up their fight. But he knows that since he is a relative of the Prince, he might be saved from the decree. So, Mercutio wasn't afraid to fight Tybalt when the latter abused Romeo.