Romeo and Juliet characters

Romeo

Also known as son to Montague

The young son of Montague who falls instantly and totally in love with Juliet, marries her in secret, and takes his own life believing her dead. Impulsive and poetic, his love drives the tragedy.

As drawn: A handsome youth of about sixteen or seventeen, slender and graceful, with expressive dark eyes and tousled brown hair. He wears the fine doublet, hose, and cloak of a wealthy Veronese nobleman's son, often with a sword at his hip.

Bonds:FriarSpiritual mentorCapuletFamily enemiesMontagueFather and sonBenvolioFriends

Juliet

Also known as daughter to Capulet

The not-quite-fourteen-year-old daughter of Capulet who falls in love with Romeo and secretly marries him, then feigns death to escape marrying Paris. Quick-witted and resolute, she dies by Romeo's dagger over his corpse.

As drawn: A radiant girl not yet fourteen, delicate and youthful, with fair skin, rosy cheeks and lips, and long flowing hair. She wears the rich gowns of a wealthy Capulet daughter, jewels, and fine fabrics befitting a Renaissance noble household.

Bonds:FriarMarriage counselorCapuletMother and daughterCapuletFather and daughterNurseNurse and charge

Mercutio

Also known as kinsman to the Prince

A witty, hot-blooded kinsman of the Prince and close friend to Romeo, famous for his mocking wordplay and the Queen Mab speech. He is slain by Tybalt, cursing both houses, which sets the tragedy's fatal turn.

As drawn: A lean, energetic young nobleman with a sharp, animated face and a mocking grin, dressed in flamboyant courtly attire with a rapier always ready. His bearing is quick and restless.

Bonds:RomeoCompanions

Tybalt

Also known as nephew to Lady Capulet, Prince of Cats

Lady Capulet's fiery nephew, a skilled and aggressive swordsman who despises the Montagues. He kills Mercutio and is in turn slain by Romeo, earning Romeo's banishment.

As drawn: A proud, dark-featured young man with a fierce, disdainful expression, dressed in the elegant clothes of a Capulet kinsman and expertly handling a fine rapier. His posture is combative and haughty.

Bonds:CapuletAunt and nephew

The Nurse

Also known as Nurse, Juliet's Nurse

Juliet's bawdy, garrulous, and affectionate nurse who raised her from infancy and acts as go-between for the lovers. Her earthy practicality ultimately clashes with Juliet's resolve.

As drawn: A stout, middle-aged woman with a broad, kindly face and work-worn hands, dressed in the plain, ample skirts, apron, and coif of a household servant. Her manner is warm and busy.

Bonds:JulietNurse and chargeCapuletHousehold colleagues

Friar Lawrence

Also known as the Friar, holy Friar, Friar Laurence

A Franciscan friar and confidant to Romeo who secretly marries the lovers hoping to reconcile the feuding houses, and devises Juliet's sleeping-potion plan. His well-meaning schemes end in catastrophe.

As drawn: An elderly, gentle-faced friar with a lined, thoughtful countenance and a tonsured head, wearing the coarse brown hooded robe and knotted cord of the Franciscan order. He often carries herbs or a basket.

Bonds:RomeoSpiritual mentorJulietMarriage counselor

Capulet

Also known as Lord Capulet, head of a Veronese family

The head of the Capulet house and Juliet's father, initially indulgent but turning tyrannical when Juliet refuses to marry Paris. His feud with Montague frames the tragedy.

As drawn: A vigorous older nobleman with a grey beard and commanding presence, richly dressed in the furred robes and fine garments of a wealthy Verona patriarch.

Bonds:CapuletSpousesRomeoFamily enemiesJulietFather and daughterMontagueSworn rivals

Lady Capulet

Also known as wife to Capulet, Juliet's mother

Juliet's mother and Capulet's wife, who urges the marriage to Paris and is emotionally distant from her daughter. She grieves bitterly at the play's deaths.

As drawn: An elegant, still-youthful noblewoman with a composed, formal bearing, dressed in a rich Renaissance gown, jeweled headdress, and fine ornaments befitting the lady of the Capulet house.

Bonds:CapuletSpousesJulietMother and daughterTybaltAunt and nephewNurseHousehold colleagues

Montague

Also known as Lord Montague, head of a Veronese family

The head of the Montague house and Romeo's father, locked in the ancient feud with Capulet. He reveals that grief over Romeo's exile has killed his wife.

As drawn: A dignified elderly nobleman with greying hair and beard, dressed in the sober rich attire of a Verona patriarch, his face marked by worry for his son.

Bonds:MontagueSpousesRomeoFather and sonCapuletSworn rivalsBenvolioUncle and nephew

Benvolio

Also known as nephew to Montague

Montague's nephew and Romeo's loyal cousin and friend, a peacemaker who tries to quell the street brawls and counsels Romeo in love. He reports events honestly to the Prince.

As drawn: An amiable young nobleman with an open, honest face and calm demeanor, dressed in the respectable doublet and hose of a Montague kinsman, with a sword he is reluctant to draw.

Bonds:RomeoFriendsCapuletHouse rivalsJulietHouse rivalsMontagueUncle and nephew

Paris

Also known as County Paris, a young Nobleman, kinsman to the Prince

A young nobleman and kinsman of the Prince who seeks Juliet's hand with Capulet's blessing. He mourns at her tomb and is killed there by Romeo.

As drawn: A well-favored young nobleman, handsome and courteous in bearing, dressed in the fashionable finery of a Verona aristocrat, carrying flowers when he comes to grieve at Juliet's grave.

Prince Escalus

Also known as Escalus, the Prince, Prince of Verona

The ruling Prince of Verona who condemns the feud, banishes Romeo for killing Tybalt, and pronounces the tragic reckoning over the lovers' bodies.

As drawn: A stately, authoritative ruler of middle age, robed in the ornate ceremonial garments and chain of office of a sovereign prince, his face stern with command.

Balthasar

Also known as servant to Romeo

Romeo's faithful servant who brings him the false news of Juliet's death in Mantua, precipitating Romeo's return and suicide.

As drawn: A modestly dressed young manservant with an earnest, travel-worn look, wearing the plain functional garb of a nobleman's attendant, often dusty from riding.

Bonds:RomeoMaster-servant

Lady Montague

Also known as wife to Montague

Montague's wife and Romeo's mother, who dies of grief over her son's banishment before the play's end.

As drawn: A gracious noblewoman of mature years with a gentle, careworn face, dressed in the dignified gown and headdress of the lady of the Montague household.

Bonds:MontagueSpouses

The Apothecary

Also known as 'pothecary

A poor, gaunt druggist in Mantua who, against the law, sells Romeo the lethal poison out of desperate need for money.

As drawn: An emaciated, ragged old man with hollow cheeks and sunken eyes, dressed in threadbare clothes, standing amid a meager shop of dusty boxes, empty jars, and hanging dried herbs.