Before the dialog begin, Shakespeare sets the scene and describes how Sampson and Gregory enter. What does the reader learn from this scene-setting?

The reader learns several key details from this scene-setting by Shakespeare. Firstly, it establishes the characters of Sampson and Gregory as servants of the house of Capulet, which is one of the two feuding families in "Romeo and Juliet". This immediately sets the tone for the conflict that is central to the play.

Secondly, the way they enter the scene, armed and discussing their hatred for the Montagues (the other feuding family), shows their loyalty to their masters and their readiness to fight. This not only gives us insight into their characters but also foreshadows the violent events that are to follow.

Lastly, their crude and aggressive conversation sets a rough, lowbrow tone that contrasts with the more poetic and romantic scenes that come later. This contrast serves to highlight the senseless violence of the feud and its stark opposition to the love story at the heart of the play.