The characters in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet - CCEA - GCSE English Literature Revision

Character overview

In Shakespeare's play, we have main, secondary and minor characters. Shakespeare also illustrates certain plot points and themes through the secondary and minor characters.

Main Characters

Romeo Montague
Juliet Capulet

Secondary Characters

Lord Capulet
Lady Capulet
Tybalt Capulet
Mercutio
Friar Laurence
The Nurse

Minor Characters

Lord and Lady Montague
Paris
Benvolio
Prince Escalus

When writing about character in the exam, it is important to back your views up with evidence from the text.

The way in which a character speaks and behaves will provide clues.

Romeo Montague in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo Montague is a young, passionate and headstrong teenager who thinks and acts with his emotions. When the audience first meets Romeo, he declares that he is in love with Rosaline. He states that he is heartbroken because Rosaline doesn't love him back. However, his emotions are changeable, as that very night, Romeo meets Juliet and falls in love with her instantly. He vows to marry her and they marry the next day, unbeknown to their feuding families.

Romeo, featuring labels that highlight him as headstrong, passionate and changeable — Figure caption,
Romeo Montague is headstrong and acts without thinking

As the play progresses, Romeo illustrates how passionate he is by avenging his best friend Mercutio's death. He kills Juliet's cousin, Tybalt, and is forced to leave the city of Verona. Romeo thinks he cannot live without Juliet and is devastated when he hears of Juliet's 'death'. Here, he takes his own life so he can be with his one true love in heaven

How is Romeo like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Passionate
Romeo is passionate when he meets Juliet for the first time. At the Capulet party, he declares his love for Juliet as she is so beautiful and promises they will get married in the morning.	"Henceforth I will never be Romeo."	Here, Romeo is telling Juliet he will not be Romeo Montague if it displeases her. This shows how passionate he is, as he is prepared to break away from his family and Christian name in order to be with Juliet. As the Montague family are wealthy and reputable, this would have caused great dishonour and therefore illustrates how serious Romeo believes his love is.
Changeable
Romeo is changeable as at the start of the play he declares his love for Rosaline, describing his heart as "heavy as lead". However, his emotions and feelings soon change when he meets Juliet.	"I have forgot that name and that name's woe."	This shows that Romeo is fickle, as he is openly stating he has 'forgotten' his past love, Rosaline. The fact that he isn't saying her name also indicates how his emotions have moved on, as he has almost forgotten that she is a real person, she is just a name to him now.
Headstrong
Romeo is headstrong when he avenges Mercutio's death by killing Tybalt.	"Either thou or I, or both, must go with him."	This shows that Romeo is prepared to die in order to avenge his best friend's death. This is the ultimate sacrifice and illustrates how headstrong he is but also how much he values his friendships.

Juliet Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

Juliet Capulet is a young and innocent teenage girl, but she is also decisive, passionate and headstrong. When the audience first meets Juliet, it is at her father’s party. Here, she meets Romeo and flirts with him, not knowing he is a Montague. Juliet is completely smitten with Romeo and when she finds out he is a Montague, she is devastated. However, knowing her own feelings, she decides to speak to Romeo more and when he reveals his true love for her, she persuades him to promise his love and they arrange their marriage.

Juliet is headstrong, but knows her own mind — Figure caption,
Juliet, featuring labels that highlight her as headstrong, decisive and passionate

When Romeo is banished for killing her cousin Tybalt, she is devastated. She feels very confused but knowing how she feels for Romeo, she forgives him. During the mourning period for Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment, Juliet’s father tells her she is going to marry Paris. She refuses and takes drastic action to secure her relationship and future with Romeo by faking her own death. When she wakes up to find Romeo dead, she decides to take her own life so they can be together in heaven.

How is Juliet like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Passionate
Juliet is passionate when she first meets Romeo. She kisses him when they first meet, and later on, in the famous balcony scene, she declares her love for him.	“I gave thee mine before thou didst request it.”	Romeo requests that Juliet declares her love for him and Juliet simply replies that she has already done so. This shows how loving and passionate she is, as she has given her love and heart to Romeo.
Headstrong
Juliet is headstrong when she refuses to marry Paris. This shocks her father and causes her father to threaten to disown her if she does not obey him.	“He shall not make me there a joyful bride!”	This shows how headstrong Juliet is, as she refuses her parents and declares she will not get married to Paris. The use of the exclamation mark heightens Juliet’s emotions as she is shouting her refusal.
Decisive
Juliet is decisive when she fakes her own death so she can be with Romeo. She listens to Friar Laurence’s plan and decides to fulfil it.	“Love give me strength, and strength shall help afford.”	This shows how calm Juliet is when she makes the decision to fake her own death, not knowing of her future. Juliet declares that Romeo’s love gives her strength and this fuels her decisions and therefore her decisive nature.

Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

Lord Capulet is the head of the Capulet household and people look up to him, as he has great power and social responsibility. He hosts the Capulet party and fuels the conflict between the Montague and the Capulet households. As Capulet usually gets his own way, he is shocked that Juliet refuses to obey his orders – this causes him to become stubborn and to declare she is no daughter of his. He regrets his anger at the end of the play when he and Lord Montague ask for forgiveness and repent.

The BBC Television Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet : 1978 - Picture shows - Michael Hordern as Capulet — Image caption,
Lord Capulet fuels the conflict between the houses

How is Capulet like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Powerful
As the head of the Capulet household, Capulet is powerful. At his party, Tybalt tells Capulet that Romeo is there and that he is dishonouring the family name. Capulet rebukes Tybalt and says Romeo is a guest and they must treat their guests kindly. This angers Tybalt but he does what he is told, reluctantly.	“Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone… It is my will.”	This shows that Capulet is powerful as he tells the fiery Tybalt to leave Romeo alone. Further on in his speech, Capulet gets angry when Tybalt questions him. This illustrates Capulet’s power as he is in charge of a reputable household; he is the head of the family.
Stubborn
Capulet shows his stubbornness as he is shocked by his daughter’s refusal to marry Paris and therefore threatens to disown her for displeasing him.	“I tell thee what: get thee to church a’ Thursday or never after look me in the face.”	This shows how stubborn Capulet is, as he is telling Juliet that if she does not obey him, she will no longer be a part of his family. The use of the pronoun 'I' illustrates how authoritative Capulet is, as it is only his opinion that matters.

Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

Lady Capulet is Capulet’s wife. Lady Capulet is quite a timid, unknowing and selfish character, as she appears to be frightened of her husband and does not love her daughter like a mother should. In the play, she forgets Juliet’s age and they have a formal relationship, illustrating the distance between them both. Lady Capulet is seen as a traditionalwoman.

Nimmy March as Lady Capulet, Marcelle Dupre as Juliet and Mona Hammond as the nurse — Image caption,
Lady Capulet does not love Juliet like a typical mother

How is Lady Capulet like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Selfish
Lady Capulet is selfish because she does not listen to her daughter’s woes about her upcoming marriage to Paris; she refuses to listen to her as she is disrespecting her husband and therefore the family name.	“Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word, Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee.”	This shows how Lady Capulet is selfish as she is unprepared to listen to Juliet as she cares more about her own safety and her relationship with her husband than she does for her own daughter. Shakespeare has made this speech very short to illustrate Lady Capulet’s emotion and how she is not prepared to give Juliet any of her time.
Unknowing
Throughout the play, Lady Capulet appears to have a very formal relationship with her daughter and never knows what she is doing or who she really is.	“Nurse, where’s my daughter? Call her forth to me.”	The question Lady Capulet directs at the Nurse illustrates how Lady Capulet is not aware of where her daughter is or how she spends her free time. The use of the word ‘daughter’ illustrates how their relationship is formal, as she is referring to her as what she is, rather than who she is. It also shows how Lady Capulet is possessive over Juliet, as if Juliet belongs to her.

Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet

Mercutio is Romeo’s best friend. Mercutio likes to have a good laugh and is optimistic, loyal and a good friend. When Romeo is depressed because of his unrequited love for Rosaline, it is Mercutio that suggests they should all gate‑crash the Capulet party.

Mercutio and Tybalt fighting on stage at the Globe — Image caption,
Mercutio's loyalty to Romeo is the cause of his death

Later on in the play, when Tybalt arrives to fight Romeo, Mercutio stands in for Romeo as he is loyal towards his best friend. Mercutio cannot believe that Romeo would sacrifice his honour in this way, so he fights Tybalt instead. When Tybalt stabs Mercutio and he is severely hurt, Mercutio attempts to joke by saying it is a ‘scratch’ but when he realises the severity of his situation, he dies cursing the two households.

How is Mercutio like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Witty
Mercutio is witty as he makes fun of Romeo when he declares he feels sick because of the love he has for Rosaline. Mercutio ridicules Romeo’s ‘love’ for Rosaline, claiming it is false.	“That dreamers often lie.”	This is Mercutio’s response after Romeo tells him he dreamt of Rosaline. Mercutio understands that Romeo’s love for Rosaline is not true and ridicules him for it, openly suggesting that Romeo, as a dreamer, cannot be trusted.
Loyal
Mercutio is loyal when Romeo refuses to fight Tybalt, as he decides to fight Tybalt instead. This is because he cannot stand to see Romeo’s honour jeopardised in the face of his enemy.	“Will you pluck your sword out of his by the ears? Make haste.”	This shows Mercutio taking Romeo’s place to fight Tybalt. He is taunting Tybalt and suggesting he is slow to prepare for the fight. Mercutio’s language highlights his loyalty to Romeo, as he is willing to risk his life to protect his friend’s honour.

Tybalt Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

Tybalt Capulet is Juliet’s cousin. He is extremely feisty and enjoys the conflict between the Montagues and his family. He is strong‑willed, argumentative, passionate and loyal. All of these characteristics are demonstrated when he finds out that Romeo has gatecrashed a Capulet party, knowing that the Montagues are not welcome. Tybalt reacts badly, almost causing a fight at the Capulet household. Lord Capulet quickly intervenes and tells Tybalt not to fight Romeo and Tybalt reluctantly obeys. Tybalt seeks his revenge by fighting with Romeo, but when Romeo refuses to fight he kills Romeo’s best friend, Mercutio, instead. This causes Romeo to avenge his best friend’s death.

Alan Rickman as Tybalt in "Romeo and Juliet" the classic play by Shakespeare, going out as part of "The BBC Television Shakespeare" strand, 1978 — Image caption,
Tybalt kills Romeo's best friend

How is Tybalt like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Argumentative
Tybalt is argumentative when he speaks to any of the Montague family. He fuels the conflict and rift between the two families. When he seeks Romeo for a fight, he is argumentative when Romeo refuses to fight him.	“Boy, this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me; therefore turn and draw.”	This shows Tybalt’s anger towards Romeo. The fact that Tybalt is calling Romeo a ‘boy’ is an insult and illustrates how Tybalt is instigating the conflict, wanting Romeo to react to the insult. Tybalt is also being instructive in this quotation, telling Romeo that he must ‘turn and draw’. This illustrates how Tybalt is passionate and likes to be in control.
Loyal
As Romeo has gate‑crashed the Capulet party, Tybalt believes that he is dishonouring the family name. He mentions this to Lord Capulet, however, Lord Capulet tells Tybalt to leave Romeo alone. Despite Tybalt’s nature, he is loyal to his uncle and obeys.	“Why, uncle, ’tis a shame.”	This shows that Tybalt is listening to his uncle and obeying his orders. The fact that Tybalt says it is a ‘shame’ illustrates that Tybalt does not agree with Lord Capulet; however, because he is loyal towards his family, he will obey.

Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet

Friar Laurence is a priest in Verona and a of Romeo. He is kind, optimistic, loving, religious and believes the best of people. Romeo sees Friar Laurence as a role model, an almost father figure. Whenever Romeo has a problem, he confides in Friar Laurence and seeks his advice. When Romeo tells Friar Laurence of his love for Juliet and his wish to marry her, the Friar hopes it will be a positive end to the Montague and Capulet conflict. Throughout the play, he is optimistic and hopes the young lovers will end the fray of their fathers. His role is very similar to that of the Nurse.

The Friar, featuring labels that highlight him as optimistic, wise and religious — Figure caption,
Romeo treats Friar Laurence as his role model

How is Friar Laurence like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Wise
Friar Laurence is wise when he advises Romeo. He thinks highly of Romeo and refers to him as ‘son’, illustrating their close bond. He also tries to impart advice so Romeo can make the right decisions.	“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.”	Here, Friar Laurence is advising Romeo to think carefully and wisely about his decision to marry Juliet. This shows that Friar Laurence is wise because he is aware of what could happen. This is an example of , as the audience is aware that Romeo will ‘stumble’ and this will have tragic consequences, resulting in the lovers’ deaths.
Religious
As a priest of Verona, Friar Laurence is religious. He believes Romeo and Juliet’s marriage will unite them in the eyes of God and therefore put an end to the conflict between the two families.	“Till holy church incorporate two in one.”	This shows Friar Laurence’s religious views and how he believes that through marriage the Montague and Capulet households will be united by God.

Juliet's Nurse in Romeo and Juliet

The Nurse brought Juliet up from childhood, breast‑feeding her and caring for her like a mother. In the play, Shakespeare presents the Nurse as Juliet’s mother – a maternal figure, who truly loves Juliet, wants her to be happy and will do anything for that happiness. This is illustrated when she keeps Juliet’s marriage to Romeo a secret, risking her job and livelihood. The Nurse is kind, loving and wants the best for Juliet.

Celia Johnson as Nurse and Rebecca Saire as Juliet — Image caption,
The Nurse hides Juliet's marriage to Romeo

How is the Nurse like this?	Evidence	Analysis
Loving
The Nurse loves Juliet like a daughter. She has brought her up and breast‑fed her when she was a child. Her own daughter, Susan, died and Juliet then became her source of attention and maternal care.	“Thou wast the prettiest babe that e’er I nursed. An I might live to see thee married once, I have my wish.”	This shows that the Nurse loves Juliet very much, as she is openly saying Juliet was the prettiest baby she had ever nursed and therefore looked after. This highlights the close connection that both the Nurse and Juliet have. The fact that it is the Nurse’s wish to see Juliet married illustrates how motherly she is towards Juliet.
Truthful
When Romeo is banished and Capulet organises Juliet’s marriage to Paris, the Nurse thinks it would be a good match for Juliet. She is honest with Juliet despite Juliet not wanting to hear it.	“I think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first.”	This shows that the Nurse wants the best for Juliet and really cares for her happiness. She believes that marrying Paris would offer Juliet security and stability, even though this honesty damages her relationship with Juliet.

Minor characters in Romeo and Juliet

Lord and Lady Montague

Lord and Lady Montague are Romeo’s parents. They do not feature heavily in the play; however, we understand that Lord Montague initiates the conflict and fuels the arguments between the two families. They both care for their son deeply and do not want him to be banished, and they try to persuade the Prince to drop the charge. At the end of the play, Lord Montague repents his sins, asks for forgiveness and vows never to argue with the Capulet family again.

Personality attributes

powerful
argumentative
stubborn
persuasive
caring

Benvolio

Benvolio is Romeo’s cousin and he loves Romeo very much. When Mercutio and Tybalt are fighting, it is Benvolio who tries to stop the conflict. When Romeo decides to avenge his best friend’s death, Benvolio attempts to stop him but fails. When he sees that Romeo has killed Tybalt, he tells Romeo to flee.

Personality attributes

loving
loyal
caring
honest

Paris

Paris wishes to marry Juliet and appears to like her. He persuades Lord Capulet to give his daughter’s hand in marriage. At Juliet’s death, Paris is mournful and fights Romeo, a man he believes has come to disturb Juliet’s peace.

Personality attributes

persuasive
honourable

Prince Escalus

Prince Escalus is a of Mercutio and Paris. He is the seat of political power in Verona. He is angered by the feuding families but lacks the personal strength to reconcile the differences between them.