Romeo and Juliet Characters

Romeo Montague

The eponymous hero Romeo Montague, born to Montague and Lady Montague, is the heir to the Montague estate. He is an affable young man who is likely 16 years old, though his exact age is never mentioned in the play. Although the age-old rivalry between the Montagues and the Capulets has deeply impacted him since childhood, the sensitive, handsome Romeo prefers to stay away from the conflict. Throughout the play, Romeo’s character is defined primarily in terms of love. Before he falls for Juliet, Romeo, as the audience learns, loved Rosaline.

Juliet Capulet

Juliet Capulet is the eponymous 13-year-old heroine. The daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet, Juliet is introduced as a child who hasn’t yet considered marriage. When a suitor, Paris, proposes marriage to her, her father declines the offer at first, citing Juliet’s age. She later falls in love with Romeo, from the rival Montague family.

Friar Lawrence

As his name suggests, Friar Lawrence is a Franciscan friar, who is tired of the rivalry between the Capulets and the Montagues. He is also deeply frustrated by the violence the feud has caused in Verona. Upon finding out about Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, he plans a secret wedding, hoping that the marriage will put the feud to rest.

Mercutio

Mercutio is a relative of Prince Escalus of Verona and Romeo’s best friend. He is loyal to the Montagues. Throughout the play, he is shown as a hot-tempered person who is not all that keen about romance. Unlike Romeo, Mercutio values the sexual more than the romantic.

The Nurse

She is Juliet’s nurse and confidante. She was, in fact, Juliet’s wet nurse, and the two of them share a strong, loving bond throughout the play. Having helped raise Juliet, she also helps Juliet plan her secret marriage to Romeo. When Romeo is banished from Verona, the Nurse encourages Juliet to marry Paris. Since very few people knew about Juliet’s marriage to Romeo, the Nurse doesn’t think marrying Paris would cause undue problems. Juliet, however, is incensed by this suggestion. Though the Nurse doesn’t share Juliet’s unwavering belief in the romantic ideal, her advice is nonetheless based on her concern for Juliet’s future.

Tybalt

Tybalt is an egotistical man, quick to take offense and quicker still to kill people if he feels offended. He is one of Juliet’s cousins and is heavily invested in the feud between the families. A fine swordsman, he kills Romeo’s best friend Mercutio and is, in turn, killed by Romeo.

Montague

The head of the Montague family and Romeo’s father, he is involved in a feud with the Capulets. He is a perceptive father, and cares deeply for Romeo’s wellbeing.

Lady Montague

Lady Montague, married to Montague, is Romeo’s mother. She dies of grief after Romeo’s banishment.

Capulet

The head of the Capulet family and Juliet’s father, he is involved in a feud with the Montagues. Although short-tempered, he is regarded as a respectable gentleman in Verona.

Lady Capulet

Lady Capulet is Juliet’s mother and is married to Capulet. Having had Juliet at the age of 14, she does not feel Juliet is too young for marriage. On the contrary, she encourages her daughter to consider marrying Paris.

Paris

Paris is a relative of Prince Escalus and Juliet’s suitor.

Benvolio

A cousin of Romeo’s, Benvolio, like Romeo, is not interested in the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets. In fact, he urges Romeo to attend the Capulets’ masquerade in an attempt to keep Romeo’s mind off Rosaline.

Prince Escalus

Prince Escalus is the Prince of Verona. He holds authority over the feuding families.

Friar John

Friar John works with Friar Lawrence. He is tasked with informing Romeo of Juliet’s fake death. However, Friar John gets quarantined and fails to deliver the message to Romeo, who is thus left with no choice but to believe that Juliet has actually died.

Balthasar

He is a servant of Romeo’s. It is Balthasar who informs Romeo of Juliet’s alleged death. Notably, neither Balthasar nor Romeo knows that she’s not really dead.

Peter

Peter is one of several servants at the Capulets’. He is also among the very few who were aware of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship.

Rosaline

Rosaline is the girl Romeo loves at the beginning of the play. Interestingly, she never appears on stage.

Sampson

Servant of the Capulets.

Gregory

Servant of the Capulets.

Abram

Servant of the Montagues.

The Apothecary

An apothecary in Mantua, where Romeo flees after he is banished from Verona.

The Chorus

The play’s narrator.