The two men have opposite reactions. Benvolio, the first to encounter them, attempts to stop them from fighting. He tells them that they "know not what you do," and that, essentially, they will be in a great deal of trouble if they get caught. This is in keeping with Benvolio's personality throughout the play. He is loyal to the house of Montague, but he attempts to talk sense into the belligerents, including Mercurio later in the play. Tybalt, on the other hand, steps into the fight, and immediately challenges Benvolio to a duel. When Benvolio tells him that his sword was drawn in an attempt to keep the peace, Tybalt retorts that he hates the word peace, as much as he hates "hell, all Montagues, and thee." Tybalt is hot-headed and totally consumed by hatred for the Montagues and his desire to protect his own honor, which is seemingly constantly under threat. The Prince arrives, averting a duel and validating Benvolio's concern--he decrees death to whoever from the two families disturbs the peace.
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