" Tybalt seems fiery and bitter and ready to fight - a change from the humour just moments before.
Tybalt is involved again in this transition from light to dark in Act Three. The banter between the three friends ceases when they spot Tybalt; Mercutio says to him - "Make it a word and a blow." The dialogue centres on threats, provocations and fighting.
Comedy and tension also feature in every other scene of the play - Juliet's Nurse, for example, is the provider of an extremely garrulous humour. "Ah mocker! That's the dog's name. "R" is for the - no, I know it begins with some other letter." .
Tension is again rife in the final scene, when Romeo and Paris duel - "Wilt thou provoke me?".
The opening scene conveys both humour and conflict which are both prominent, each in their turn, throughout the play.
Characterisation plays an important role in the opening scene. In Benvolio and the Princes case, we learn of their personalities which stay the same throughout the rest of the play. In the opening scene, Benvolio is portrayed as a peace-maker - a calm, steady person who dislikes conflict. This is shown when he exclaims - "Part fools!" The fact he is calling them fools highlights his distaste for violence - he thinks those who fight are rather ill-advised. This continues throughout the play, for example, in Act Three, before the conflict with Tybalt, he tells Mercutio - "I pray thee, good Mercutio, lets retire. The day is hot, the Capels are abroad and if we meet we shall not "scape a brawl." He is being cautious - he does not want to any trouble with the rival family. Instead he suggests an exit to a place where waters are somewhat calmer. .
The Prince, in the opening scene, is exposed as an authoritive figure with much control. " On pain of death, all men depart." He is dispelling the brawl; giving orders. We see this again in the final scene - "some shall be pardoned, some shall be punished." He is again executing his control - he is responsible for peace and order.