Did not get the logic of Greg's explanation

Why is “openly antagonizing those brave enough to sit in the first few rows” explanation to “affecting redoubtable/ hostile presence”? Really did not get Greg’s explanation. Affecting means “have an influence on”. Why is sitting in the first few rows considered as hostile? Also, would be grateful if you could explain blank ii and iii too. Thanks

As we have no contrasting words before or after the blank(i) the sentence after the comma( , ) is support for our blank(i). Thus, reading the sentence - “openly antagonizing those brave enough to sit in front row” with openly antagonizing being the main idea that the sentence is trying to convey and what does openly antagonizing means ?

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