Question

Read these lines from the prologue of Romeo and Juliet.

Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

What is the best way to paraphrase these lines?

Two feuding families shed blood over an ancient grudge.
Two families fight over whom pretty Verona shall marry.
Two feuding families in Verona have an ancient grudge.
Two old families in Verona fight and get themselves dirty.

Answer 1

Option 1: "Two feuding families shed blood over an ancient grudge."

Reason: It captures the key points — two equally ranked households in Verona, an old feud that erupts into renewed violence, and bloodshed — better than the other choices (2 is incorrect, 3 omits the violence, 4 is too vague/colloquial).