Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Grimaldi and Vasquez come in, swords drawn and ready to duel. At first Grimaldi refuses to fight, since Vasquez is just a servant. Vasquez insists, though. The duel begins, and Vasquez quickly gains the upper hand.

Florio comes in, followed by Donado and Soranzo. He demands to know what's going on and why Grimaldi and Vasquez chose to fight right outside his front door. As Annabella and Putana appear and listen from above, Soranzo explains that he and Grimaldi are both suitors for Annabella's hand. Grimaldi has been saying bad things about him. He goes on to explain that responding to such low-minded tactics is beneath him, and therefore he instructed Vasquez (his servant) to challenge Grimaldi to a duel in his place. Grimaldi taunts Soranzo, and Vasquez taunts Grimaldi. Grimaldi goes.

Florio asks Soranzo why Grimaldi's interest in Annabella matters...