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Dueling
Cultural Reference
Act 2,
Scene 4
Lines 8b-9

A discussion about the etiquette of dueling in myShakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 4.

Benvolio

                                          Romeo will answer it.

Mercutio

Any man that can write may answer a letter.

Duels were governed by specific rules of etiquette. First, a formal challenge was issued in the form of a letter; then, if the other party accepted the challenge, he was said to have “answered” it. This is what Benvolio meant when he said, “Romeo will answer it.” Mercutio knew Benvolio's intended meaning, but he joked that anyone who can write can “answer a letter.”