Lack of Courage in Fight:
One of the most notable instances that highlight their lack of toughness is during the street brawl between the Montagues and Capulets. When Tybalt, the hot-headed nephew of Lady Capulet, draws his sword, Gregory and Sampson quickly retreat, leaving Tybalt to face the Montagues alone.
Easily Provoked:
Gregory and Sampson are easily provoked by the Montague servants, Abraham and Balthasar. They engage in verbal altercations and quickly resort to threats and insults. However, when it comes to actual physical confrontation, they hesitate and rely on Tybalt to defend them.
Verbal Toughness vs. Physical Action:
While Gregory and Sampson may be verbally aggressive and boastful, their actions often don't match their words. They talk about fighting and drawing swords, but when faced with a real fight, they are quick to back down.
Fearing Romeo:
In Act 1, Scene 1, Gregory and Sampson express their fear of Romeo, the son of Montague, even though Romeo is not known for his violence. This suggests that their toughness is more of a facade to mask their insecurities.
In summary, Gregory and Sampson pretend to be tough and aggressive, but their actions and behavior throughout the play reveal that they are not as tough as they make themselves out to be. They lack the courage to engage in fights, often rely on others to defend them, and fear those they perceive as more dangerous.