Throughout their banter in the opening lines of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the Capulet servants Gregory and Sampson make sexual references as they discuss how much they hate the Montagues and would like to engage them in a street fight. Sampson suggests that he would like to rape the Montague women, making a rude reference to part of his anatomy when he says, "’tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh." This same piece of anatomy is likened to a sword as Gregory urges Sampson to "Draw thy tool" as the Montague servants approach. Sampson does indeed pull his sword and again makes an overt reference to his anatomy when he says,
My naked weapon is out. Quarrel! I will back
thee.
A quarrel is a fight and the two servants do their best to goad the Montagues into an altercation. When Tybalt arrives a street brawl does break out among the bitter rivals.
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