Final answer:
Benvolio joined the opening skirmish in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet to defend his family's honor, demonstrating the significance of reputation and the destructive nature of familial feuds in the play.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to a character named Benvolio in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. Within the context of the play, Benvolio, a member of the Montague family, joins the opening skirmish not to impress Juliet or seek revenge, but to defend his family's honor (option a). His involvement in the fight exemplifies the longstanding feud between the Montague and Capulet families, which is the central conflict throughout the tragic story.
In Romeo and Juliet, the family's honor and reputation are of the utmost importance to the characters, influencing their actions and decisions. The play ultimately concludes with a message about the destructive nature of hate after the deaths of the young lovers, a resolution that stems from the initial conflicts and the efforts of characters like Benvolio to uphold their family's honor.