Romeo and Juliet characters

Also known as Romeo Montague

Appears from the start

The young son and heir of the Montague family in Verona, whose house is locked in a bitter feud with the Capulets. When first seen he is lovesick and melancholy over a young woman, Rosaline, who does not return his affection, and his friends try to draw him out of his gloom. Passionate, impulsive, and quick to fall deeply in love, he is persuaded to slip into a Capulet feast in disguise, where his hopeless devotion to Rosaline is swept away the moment he sees Juliet.

Also known as Juliet Capulet

Appears from the start

The daughter of the wealthy Capulet family, not yet fourteen, sheltered and obedient at the story's start. Her father is already considering a match for her with the nobleman Paris, and she has given little thought to marriage. Intelligent and, once her feelings are stirred, resolute and brave beyond her years, she meets a young man at her family's feast and falls suddenly and wholly in love, only to learn that he belongs to the house her family hates most.

Appears from the start

A close friend of Romeo and a kinsman of the Prince of Verona, belonging to neither feuding house. Quick-witted, boisterous, and fond of elaborate wordplay and bawdy jokes, he teases Romeo about love and delivers a long flight of fancy about Queen Mab, the fairy who brings dreams. Loyal and hot-blooded, he has little patience for melancholy or for the Capulets, and his sharp tongue and readiness to fight make him a lively but volatile companion.

Appears from the start

A hot-tempered young man of the Capulet family, a cousin of Juliet, skilled with a sword and eager to use it. He despises the Montagues and takes the feud as a point of personal honor. Seen first joining a street brawl between the two houses, he later recognizes the disguised Romeo at the Capulet feast and is enraged that a Montague would dare attend, restrained from open violence only by Juliet's father. Proud and aggressive, he nurses the insult and looks for a chance at revenge.

Appears from the start

Juliet's nurse, who raised her from infancy and remains her closest companion and confidante in the Capulet household. Talkative, earthy, and fond of long rambling reminiscences, she is devoted to Juliet and enjoys a warm, teasing familiarity with her. Practical rather than romantic, she becomes a go-between in Juliet's affairs and is willing to help her secret wishes along, though her loyalty is tempered by an eye for what is safe and comfortable.

Appears from the start

A nephew of Montague and cousin and friend to Romeo, level-headed where those around him are quick to anger. He tries to keep the peace during the street brawl and to lift Romeo out of his lovesick sorrow, advising him to look at other women and pressing him to attend the Capulet feast. Calm, well-meaning, and reliable, he serves as a steady voice and a reporter of events amid the passions of both houses.

Also known as Capulet

Appears from the start

The head of the Capulet family and Juliet's father, a wealthy and powerful man of Verona. He hosts a grand feast at which he wishes his guests well and, when Tybalt spots the intruding Romeo, insists on keeping the peace rather than spoiling the party. Fond of his daughter and at first inclined to let her marry for love, he weighs a match with the noble Paris and expects, in the end, to be obeyed as master of his house.

Also known as Count Paris

Appears from the start

A young nobleman and a kinsman of the Prince of Verona who seeks Juliet's hand in marriage. Well-born, respectable, and courteous, he asks her father for permission to court her, and the elder Capulet looks favorably on the match while asking him to wait for her consent. Paris is confident of his suit and unaware that Juliet's heart has already been given elsewhere.

First appears in chapter 2

A Franciscan friar of Verona, a gatherer of herbs learned in their powers to heal and to harm, and a spiritual adviser trusted by Romeo. Kindly and well-meaning, he counsels moderation but is drawn into the young lovers' plans, agreeing to help them in the hope that their union might at last end the long feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Resourceful and inclined to bold remedies, he becomes the secret architect of their fortunes.