She wishes he can give up his Montague name and if not
she will give up here own family name
Friar Laurence
'this alliance may so happy prove, to turn your households’ rancour to pure love'.
shows Friar Laurence’s reason for agreeing to marry Romeo and Juliet – he wants to join them
together to link their families and turn their anger and aggression towards one another into love for
each other.
“ If that thy bent of love be honourable”
They had only met a few hours before, but fell in love at first sight and want to get married
She is a young and innocent girl
“if that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage”
Although she had bad feelings at first, Juliet is the one who suggests marriage to Romeo (a few
hours after they meet). She asks him if his intentions
are serious, she says that he should be thinking about marriage if he loves her.
Benvolio
Mercutio
Mercutio is Romeos best friend
He like to have a laugh and is optimistic, loyal and a good
friend
If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.'
This quote highlights the difference in personalities between Romeo and Mercutio. Romeo is a
romantic and loves the idea of love; Mercutio does not take love seriously
Tybalt
Tybalt is Juliet’s cousin and is extremely feisty
Tybalt enjoys the conflict between the Montagues and his
family
Thou art a villain.'
The noun 'villain' was an incredibly insulting term in Elizabethan England. This insult builds tension
and suspense as audiences wonder how Romeo will react to this aggression
When Tybalt approaches Romeo, he continually tries to annoy and encourage him to
fight
Romeo
Romeo is a young man
Nurse
For Juliet’s sake, for her sake, rise and stand'.
The Nurse plays an important role in Act 3. She talks Romeo out of killing himself when he is very upset. She reminds him to think about Juliet and to
live for her.
She is caring and acted like a mother to Juliet
He is a passionate and headstrong teenager
'But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
He uses the metaphor 'Juliet is the sun' to suggest that she brings light, happiness and love to his life
'O, I am fortune’s fool!'
Romeo feels that the powers of fate and destiny are playing with him. He met his true love and is
happy for a little while, but then fate causes him to kill Tybalt.
O brawling love! O loving hate
He feels that his love for Rosaline is 'brawling' because it feels like a personal battle for
him – he cannot stop himself loving her
Nothing can be ill, if she be well
Even while exiled, Romeo is completely obsessed with his love for Juliet. He feels that everything in life
will eventually be alright as long as Juliet is ok.
Did my heart love till now… For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night'.
As soon as he sees Juliet at the party, he stops feeling any love for Rosaline. He realises that what he
felt for her was not real love, he feels that no one else can compare to Juliet.