SmartPass Audio Education Study Guide to Romeo and Juliet (Unabridged, Dramatised) characters

Appears from the start

The young son of Lord and Lady Montague. At first he is withdrawn over an unreturned love, but he is also imaginative, impulsive, and willing to cross the boundary between Verona's feuding households.

First appears in chapter 3

The only daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet, not yet fourteen. Sheltered within her household, she listens respectfully when marriage to Paris is proposed but has not yet formed a strong wish of her own.

First appears in chapter 4

Romeo's friend and a relative of Prince Escalus. Quick-witted, skeptical of romantic idealism, and fond of elaborate wordplay, he encourages Romeo to attend the Capulets' masked celebration.

Appears from the start

Romeo's cousin and confidant. He tries to stop the opening street fight, listens patiently to Romeo's unhappiness, and seeks practical ways to draw him out of isolation.

Appears from the start

Juliet's cousin and a fiercely loyal Capulet. Proud, combative, and sensitive to any perceived insult against his family, he immediately tries to turn the street quarrel into a fight.

First appears in chapter 3

Juliet's longtime caregiver and closest household companion. Earthy, talkative, and openly affectionate, she remembers Juliet's childhood in detail and helps Lady Capulet raise the subject of marriage.

First appears in chapter 8

A Franciscan friar and trusted adviser to Romeo. Knowledgeable about plants and human weakness, he is surprised by the speed of Romeo's changing affections but hopes to guide him toward wiser conduct.

Appears from the start

Juliet's father and head of the Capulet household. He can initially be genial and protective, telling Paris that Juliet is young and should have a voice in any marriage, while also presiding over the family's public standing.

First appears in chapter 3

Juliet's mother, formal and socially conventional in her dealings with her daughter. She presents Paris as a desirable husband and expects Juliet to consider the match seriously.

First appears in chapter 2

A nobleman related to Prince Escalus who seeks Juliet's hand in marriage. Respectful toward Lord Capulet and confident that the match is suitable, he accepts the father's advice to court Juliet at the family feast.

Appears from the start

Verona's ruler, called to suppress another public brawl between the Montagues and Capulets. He warns that any further disturbance will be punished by death and represents civic order above the family feud.

First appears in chapter 22

An impoverished seller of medicines in Mantua. His thin appearance reveals desperate circumstances, making him vulnerable when Romeo seeks something that the law forbids him to sell.