Romeo and Juliet Characters: Who's Who in the Play
The play has two feuding families, the Montagues (Romeo) and the Capulets (Juliet), plus the Prince, his kinsmen Paris and Mercutio, and two Friars.
Friar Laurence is also spelled Lawrence in many editions. The Folger edition uses Laurence.
| Character | Who they are | Fate |
|---|---|---|
| Romeo | Son of Montague, the male lead | Dies by poison |
| Juliet | Daughter of Capulet, the female lead | Stabs herself |
| Mercutio | Kinsman of the Prince, Romeo's friend | Killed by Tybalt |
| Tybalt | Lady Capulet's nephew, Juliet's cousin | Killed by Romeo |
| Paris | Kinsman of the Prince, Juliet's suitor | Killed by Romeo |
| Lady Montague | Romeo's mother | Dies of grief, offstage |
| Benvolio | Romeo's cousin, the peacemaker | Survives |
| Nurse | Juliet's nurse and confidante | Last seen in Act 4 |
| Friar Laurence | Franciscan friar who marries the couple | Survives |
| Prince Escalus | Ruler of Verona | Survives |
The Montagues
Romeo is the only son of Montague. He starts the play moping over Rosaline, a woman who never appears on stage, and falls for Juliet the same night. He is romantic, impulsive and quick to act.
Montague and Lady Montague are his parents. Benvolio, Romeo's cousin, tries to keep the peace. Balthasar is Romeo's servant, and he is the one who brings him the news of Juliet's supposed death. Abram is a Montague servant who fights in the opening brawl.
↑ Back to the topThe Capulets
Juliet is the only child of Capulet and Lady Capulet, and she is thirteen. Capulet is at first gentle with her, then furious when she refuses to marry Paris. Lady Capulet is her mother.
Tybalt is Lady Capulet's nephew and hot-tempered, the one who most wants the feud to continue. The Nurse raised Juliet and is her go-between with Romeo. The household also includes an old cousin of Capulet and the servants Sampson, Gregory and Peter.
↑ Back to the topThe Prince, Paris and Mercutio
Escalus is the Prince of Verona. He threatens death to anyone who breaks the peace again, and he is the one who banishes Romeo for killing Tybalt rather than executing him.
Paris, a kinsman of the Prince, wants to marry Juliet, and Capulet favors him. Mercutio, also a kinsman of the Prince, is Romeo's witty, sharp-tongued friend. Shakespeare gave Mercutio a much bigger role than he has in the sources, including the Queen Mab speech.
↑ Back to the topFriar Laurence and the rest
Friar Laurence is a Franciscan friar and Romeo's confidant. He marries the lovers in secret, hoping it will end the feud, and he devises the potion plan. Friar John is the friar sent to carry his letter to Romeo.
The Apothecary in Mantua sells Romeo the poison. The Chorus speaks the Prologue. Rosaline is only mentioned, never seen.
↑ Back to the topMore about Romeo and Juliet
This guide covers the play only. Film and stage versions differ in places.