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Why is Carmen arrested in Act I of Bizet's Carmen?

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Publicity photographs from the revival of Georges Bizet's opera Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City, January 1915. — Carmen Publicity photographs from the revival of Georges Bizet's opera *Carmen* at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City, January 1915.

In Act I of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, Carmen is arrested because she wounds another woman during a violent fight at the cigarette factory.1

After the factory workers emerge in a chaotic brawl, Lieutenant Zuniga orders Don José to investigate the disturbance. José returns with Carmen in custody, reporting that she has wounded another woman during the altercation. When Zuniga attempts to question her, Carmen remains defiant and refuses to speak, leading Zuniga to order José to bind her arms and escort her to prison.1