Romeo and Juliet (Dramatised) characters

Appears from the start

The young son of Montague. He begins withdrawn over an unreturned love for Rosaline, but at the Capulets' feast he meets Juliet and immediately redirects his devotion toward her despite the feud between their families.

Appears from the start

The only child of Capulet and Lady Capulet, not yet fourteen. She has given little thought to marriage when her parents propose Paris, and her meeting with Romeo awakens a love that conflicts with her duty to her family.

Appears from the start

Romeo's witty friend and a kinsman of Prince Escalus. Energetic, skeptical about romantic idealism, and quick to answer provocation, he accompanies Romeo to the Capulet feast.

Appears from the start

Romeo's cousin and friend, inclined to keep peace between the Montagues and Capulets. He tries to stop the opening street fight and later seeks the cause of Romeo's melancholy.

Appears from the start

Lady Capulet's nephew and a determined defender of the Capulet name. He is aggressive in the opening brawl and recognizes Romeo at the family feast, taking the uninvited Montague's presence as an insult.

Appears from the start

Juliet's longtime caregiver and closest household confidante. Affectionate, talkative, and practical, she carries messages for Juliet and knows her far more intimately than Juliet's parents do.

First appears in chapter 2

A Franciscan friar and trusted adviser to Romeo. He studies the uses of plants and agrees to marry Romeo and Juliet in the hope that their union may turn the families' hatred into peace.

Appears from the start

Juliet's father and head of the Capulet household. He initially urges Paris to wait before seeking Juliet's hand and restrains Tybalt at the feast, insisting that Romeo not be attacked under his roof.

Appears from the start

Juliet's mother. Formal in her dealings with her daughter, she introduces Paris as a desirable husband and expects Juliet to consider the match favored by the family.

Appears from the start

A nobleman related to Prince Escalus who seeks permission to marry Juliet. Capulet initially considers her too young but invites Paris to court her at the family feast.

Appears from the start

The ruler responsible for keeping order in Verona. After another public clash between the Montague and Capulet households, he declares that any further breach of the peace will be punished by death.

Appears from the start

Romeo's father and the head of the Montague family. He is troubled by Romeo's isolation and asks Benvolio to discover what is making his son unhappy.

First appears in chapter 5

A poor seller of medicines in Mantua. Though aware that selling a lethal drug is forbidden, he accepts Romeo's money because hunger and poverty outweigh his fear of the law.