Character guide

Romeo

major

Also known as young Romeo, gentle Romeo, true Romeo, dear Romeo, good Romeo

The passionate young heir of the Montague family, who falls deeply in love with Juliet.

Juliet

major

Also known as Lady Juliet, Juliet Ay, Juliet Sweet, Juliet Blister'd, Juliet Yon, Exeunt Juliet

The young Capulet daughter who falls in love with Romeo, defying her family's feud.

Friar Laurence

major

Also known as Laurence, holy Laurence, Friar Laurence Sir, Friar Laurence Bliss, Friar Laurence O, Friar Laurence Holy Saint Francis, Francis

A Franciscan friar who secretly marries Romeo and Juliet and devises a risky plan.

Nurse

supporting

Also known as Juliet Nurse, Nurse Peter, Nurse Marry, Nurse O Tybalt, Nurse Tybalt, Nurse Peace, Nurse Ay, Lady Capulet Nurse

Juliet's loyal and talkative nurse, who acts as a messenger between the lovers.

Mercutio

supporting

Also known as brave Mercutio, stout Mercutio, good Mercutio, Mercutio Ah, Mercutio Yea, Mercutio A bawd, Mercutio O, Mercutio Tut, Mercutio Good Peter, Mercutio Consort

Romeo's witty and volatile friend, whose death sparks the tragic climax.

Tybalt

supporting

Also known as Enter Tybalt, The fiery Tybalt, stout Tybalt, the furious Tybalt, Tybalt Boy, that Tybalt, Nurse O Tybalt, Nurse Tybalt

Juliet's hot-tempered cousin, who despises the Montagues and kills Mercutio.

Benvolio

supporting

Also known as Benvolio Two, Benvolio Go, Benvolio Groan, Benvolio Madam, Benvolio Tut, Benvolio Soft

Romeo's peace-loving cousin and friend, who tries to defuse conflicts.

Capulet

supporting

Also known as old Capulet, Lady Capulet Tybalt, Lady Capulet Evermore, Lady Capulet Ay, Second Capulet, Capulet Sir Paris, Capulet Despised, Capulet Soft, Capulet Young Romeo, Lady Capulet Marry, Lady Capulet Alack, Alack

Juliet's father, the head of the Capulet family, who arranges her marriage to Paris.

Lady Capulet

supporting

Also known as Lady Capulet Verona, Lady Capulet Nurse, Lady Capulet Marry, Lady Capulet Alack

Juliet's mother, who pressures her to marry Paris and later grieves her death.

Paris

supporting

Also known as Capulet Sir Paris, Paris Poor soul, gentle Paris, young Paris, County Paris, noble County Paris, The noble Paris

A nobleman who seeks to marry Juliet, becoming a rival to Romeo.

Montague

minor

Also known as Old Montague, vile Montague, Exeunt Montague, Sweet Montague, the Montague

Romeo's father and head of the Montague family, locked in feud with the Capulets.

Lady Montague

minor

Also known as Lady Montague O

Romeo's mother, who dies of grief over her son's exile.

Balthasar

minor

Also known as Balthasar Romeo

Romeo's loyal servant, who brings him the news of Juliet's death.

Peter

minor

Also known as Nurse Peter, Peter O, Peter Anon, Anon, Peter Pretty, Musicians Enter Peter, Peter Musicians

A servant of the Nurse, often involved in comic exchanges.

Sampson

minor

Also known as Sampson Gregory, Sampson True

A Capulet servant who starts the opening brawl with the Montagues.

Gregory

minor

Also known as Sampson Gregory

A Capulet servant who brawls with the Montagues in the first scene.

Abraham

minor

A Montague servant who fights with Sampson and Gregory.

Friar John

minor

Also known as John, Friar John Brother

A friar sent to deliver Friar Laurence's message to Romeo, but fails.

Rosaline

minor

Also known as the fair Rosaline whom thou so lovest

The woman Romeo loves before meeting Juliet, mentioned but never appears on stage.

Prince Escalus

minor

Also known as Prince Romeo, Prince

The ruler of Verona who tries to stop the feud between Montagues and Capulets.

Queen Mab

minor

Also known as Mab, Mab That

The mythical fairy queen described by Mercutio in a famous speech.

Potpan

minor

A servant in the Capulet household, briefly mentioned.

Susan

minor

Also known as Susan Grindstone

A woman mentioned by the Nurse as having a daughter named Susan.

Martino

minor

A name mentioned in the list of guests at the Capulet feast.

Cupid

minor

Also known as Young Adam Cupid

The god of love, referenced in Mercutio's speech.

Maria

minor

A name briefly mentioned in the play, likely a servant.

Echo

minor

A mythological figure referenced in the play.