# Romeo and Juliet — Character guide

> Key figures in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

- [Romeo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/romeo.md): The passionate young heir of the Montague family, who falls deeply in love with Juliet.
- [Juliet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/juliet.md): The young Capulet daughter who falls in love with Romeo, defying her family's feud.
- [Friar Laurence](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/friar_laurence.md): A Franciscan friar who secretly marries Romeo and Juliet and devises a risky plan.
- [Nurse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/nurse.md): Juliet's loyal and talkative nurse, who acts as a messenger between the lovers.
- [Mercutio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/mercutio.md): Romeo's witty and volatile friend, whose death sparks the tragic climax.
- [Tybalt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/tybalt.md): Juliet's hot-tempered cousin, who despises the Montagues and kills Mercutio.
- [Benvolio](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/benvolio.md): Romeo's peace-loving cousin and friend, who tries to defuse conflicts.
- [Capulet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/capulet.md): Juliet's father, the head of the Capulet family, who arranges her marriage to Paris.
- [Lady Capulet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/lady_capulet.md): Juliet's mother, who pressures her to marry Paris and later grieves her death.
- [Paris](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/paris.md): A nobleman who seeks to marry Juliet, becoming a rival to Romeo.
- [Montague](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/montague.md): Romeo's father and head of the Montague family, locked in feud with the Capulets.
- [Lady Montague](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/lady_montague.md): Romeo's mother, who dies of grief over her son's exile.
- [Balthasar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/balthasar.md): Romeo's loyal servant, who brings him the news of Juliet's death.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/peter.md): A servant of the Nurse, often involved in comic exchanges.
- [Sampson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/sampson.md): A Capulet servant who starts the opening brawl with the Montagues.
- [Gregory](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/gregory.md): A Capulet servant who brawls with the Montagues in the first scene.
- [Abraham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/abraham.md): A Montague servant who fights with Sampson and Gregory.
- [Friar John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/friar_john.md): A friar sent to deliver Friar Laurence's message to Romeo, but fails.
- [Rosaline](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/rosaline.md): The woman Romeo loves before meeting Juliet, mentioned but never appears on stage.
- [Prince Escalus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/prince_escalus.md): The ruler of Verona who tries to stop the feud between Montagues and Capulets.
- [Queen Mab](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/queen_mab.md): The mythical fairy queen described by Mercutio in a famous speech.
- [Potpan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/pothan.md): A servant in the Capulet household, briefly mentioned.
- [Susan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/susan.md): A woman mentioned by the Nurse as having a daughter named Susan.
- [Martino](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/martino.md): A name mentioned in the list of guests at the Capulet feast.
- [Cupid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/cupid.md): The god of love, referenced in Mercutio's speech.
- [Maria](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/maria.md): A name briefly mentioned in the play, likely a servant.
- [Echo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters/echo.md): A mythological figure referenced in the play.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/romeo_and_juliet_se/characters