Character Analysis of Romeo and Juliet

Character Analysis of Romeo and Juliet

Benvolio: (benevolent)
Benvolio is nephew to Montague, and therefore Romeo?s cousin, and close friend. He has a genuine dislike of violence, especially in public places. On first meeting, him he is trying to stop the fight between the servants? of both houses? (1.1.64-65). He is by no means a coward, and when challenged he does not shy away, as seen when Tybalt calls him a coward, (1.1.72). He has a sympathetic nature, and spends most of the first three acts trying to consol Romeo, and help him get over Rosaline.

Tybalt: (tyrant)
Tybalt is Lady Capulet?s nephew and therefore Juliet's cousin. He is vain, fashionable, and supremely aware of courtesy, and the lack of it. He is extremely quick tempered. He is a very competent swordsman, and will not think twice about using it when the occasion arises. This is shown in act I scene I, when he turns up at the street fight, between the servants?. When seeing Benvolio, with his sword drawn, trying to stop the fight, he calls him a coward, (1.170-72), and then challenges him to a duel, (1.1.66-67). It is also evident, when he rises to the baiting from Mercutio, in act III scene I. He loathes the Montagues? and feels that it is his place to uphold the family honour. This is apparent when he refuses to forgive Romeo for gate crashing his uncle?s Masque, in act I scene V, (1.5.54-59), (1.5.89-92).

Capulet:
Capulet is Juliet?s father and husband to Lady Capulet, and head of the Capulet house. He is quite a bit older than his wife, and is often mean to her. He is enemy to Montague, and is seen as the more tyrannical of the two men. On the first meeting of Capulet, he is more than willing to take part in the street brawl, (1.1.75). The Prince blames both him and Montague for the street fighting, and warns him of the consequences to both of them if it does not stop, (1.1.89-91). Capulet decides that it should not be too difficult for both houses to live in peace, even if they are not friends, (1.2.1-3). He commands respect and prosperity, and will fly into a rage at the drop of a ?hanky?, as is seen in act I scene V, when he is warning Tybalt to stay away from Romeo, (1.5.83-88). He loves his daughter, and wants only the best for her, but knows very little about her. This is evident when Paris is asking him for his daughters hand in marriage, in act I scene II. Although he changes his opinion, after the death of Tybalt, and decides that, it would be better for Juliet to marry Paris as soon as possible, in act III scene IV.

Lady Capulet:
Lady Capulet is wife to Capulet, and Juliet?s mother. She married Capulet when she was about thirteen, and had Juliet; by the time, she was fourteen. She is an ineffectual mother, and knows little of her daughter. She relies on the Nurse, to keep her informed about her daughter?s welfare. She is eager for Juliet to marry Paris, and expects the Nurse to back her up, in act I scene III.

Montague:
Montague is husband to Lady Montague, and father of Romeo, he is the head of the Montague house. He is a very loving father; this is shown in his concern for his son?s melancholy at the beginning of the play. He asks Benvolio to find out what has upset his son, and a way of helping him, (1.1154-55).

Lady Montague:
Lady Montague, wife to Montague and mother to Romeo. She is more of an equal to he husband, than Lady Montague, this could be due to her age, as she and her husband are of similar age. She also loves her son, and is concerned for his welfare. She is glad that her son is not involved with the brawl, in act I scene I, but worries of his whereabouts, (1.1.116-17). Upon the discovery of her son?s death, she herself dies from the grief, in act 5 scene III.

Prince Escalus: (?scales? balance, justice)
Prince Escalus is kinsman to Mercutio and Paris. He is the seat of political power, and the upholder of the law. He is fed up with the constant street fighting cause by the feud, between the Montagues? and the Capulet?s. He blames the heads of the two houses for the brawling, and declares to them both, that if it continues then they will pay with their lives, (1.196-97). He does not keep his word, as he does not execute Romeo, but exiles him, for the killing of Tybalt.

Romeo: (romance)
Romeo, son of the Montagues?; Romeo is a very complex character, he is intelligent, handsome, and sensitive. He is charming and well regarded, even by old man Capulet. When Romeo gatecrashes the Capulet feast, Tybalt informs his uncle that he will take care of Romeo, but Capulet tells him to leave it alone as he has heard only good things about Romeo, (1.5.66-69). Romeo?s emotions run very strong, throughout the play: He is a passionate lover, though sometimes whimsical, on first meeting him, he is pining for Rosaline, in act I scene I, proclaiming her the paragon of women. He is totally distraught at her indifference to him. His language is very poetical, and this is how he expects love to be. The instant he sees Juliet, he forgets all about Rosaline, and falls head over heals in love with Juliet. Romeo?s attitude to love becomes more mature, as the relationship between him and Juliet gets more intense. Love is not the only deep emotion he feels; there is anger that compels him to avenge the death of his friend Mercutio. In addition, there is the despair, which drives him to suicide, when he thinks his true love Juliet is dead.

Juliet: (jewel)
Juliet is the Capulets? daughter. In the beginning of the play she is, immature, and seems an obedient, na?ve child. This is seen when her mother talks to her about marrying Paris, she tells her mother that she has not thought about marriage but if it is what her mother wants then she will try and love Paris, (1.3.64-65), (1.3.66), (1.397-99). Unlike Romeo, she is more level headed and criticizes him for his rashness, and romanticism (2.2.116-120). Upon meeting Romeo, her attitude to love and marriage takes a complete turn around, (2.2.143-48). Her level headiness comes into play, when Romeo is banished