Romeo and Juliet Study Guide

Romeo

The son of Montague, who is deeply romantic and dramatic in nature. He falls in love with Juliet.

Montague

Romeo’s father, who is concerned about his son’s melancholy.

Lady Montague

Romeo’s mother, who dies in grief after Romeo gets exiled from Verona.

Mercutio

Romeo’s hot-headed friend, who fights Tybalt on the behalf of Romeo and dies.

Benvolio

Romeo’s cousin, a peacemaker who looks out for Romeo and stays by his side.

Juliet

The daughter of Capulet, who falls in love with Romeo and defies her family’s rules for him.

Nurse

Juliet’s caretaker who tries to help Juliet but ultimately fails.

Capulet

Juliet’s strict and oppressive father, who wants Juliet to marry Paris.

Lady Capulet

Juliet’s mother who is fairly disconnected from Juliet and relies on her nurse for information.

Tybalt

Juliet’s angry cousin, who has a short temper and often tries to provoke violence.

Friar Lawrence

A holy man who tries to assist Romeo and Juliet in their romance but gives bad advice.

Paris

A man who wishes to marry Juliet and is favored by her parents.

Prince

The prince of Verona, who wants to end the feud between the Montagues and the Capulets.

Montagues vs. Capulets

The two families are sworn enemies, causing a struggle between Romeo and Juliet’s romance.

The Prince’s Command

The Prince wants fighting to stop, or else involved parties will face death.

Romeo and Juliet’s romance

Their love is kept secret due to the feud; Romeo was previously infatuated with Rosaline.

Friar Lawrence and Nurse

Their poor advice leads to the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet.

"If you ever disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace."

The Prince's warning to the Capulets and Montagues against further fighting.

"Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night."

Romeo upon first seeing Juliet at the Capulet's party, marking the start of his infatuation.

"My only love, sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late!"

Juliet recognizing her love for Romeo despite being from the rival family.

"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet;"

Juliet's reflection on how names do not define a person's essence.

"Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow."

Juliet expressing her distress at parting from Romeo.

"A plague o’ both your houses! They have made worms’ meat of me."

Mercutio curses both families for their feud that led to his death.

"O, I am fortune’s fool!"

Romeo exclaims this after killing Tybalt, realizing the consequences of his actions.

"For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo."

The Prince’s summary of the tragic outcome of the young lovers' story.