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.

Bonds:Friar LawrenceSpiritual 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.

Bonds:Friar LawrenceMarriage counselorLady CapuletMother 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.

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.

Bonds:Lady 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.

Bonds:JulietNurse and chargeLady CapuletHousehold 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.

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.

Bonds:Lady 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.

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.

Bonds:Lady 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.