Characters Flashcards
1
Q
Romeo
A
- The son and heir of Montague and Lady Montague
- 16 years old, handsome, intelligent, and sensitive
- He lives in the middle of a violent feud between his family & the Capulets. He’s not interested in the violence
- His only interest is love and to prove it…he marries Juliet, takes abuse from Tybalt and would rather die without his beloved.
- He is an affectionate & devoted friend to Benvolio, Mercutio, and Friar Lawrence.
2
Q
Juliet
A
- Daughter of Capulet and Lady Capulet
- Beautiful 13 year old who starts out naive… But grows out of that when she fell in love with Romeo
- She doesn’t have as much freedom as Romeo because she lives in an aristocratic family.
- climb over walls in the middle of the night
- roam around the city
- get into swordfights
- Her close friend and confidant is “The Nurse”. But she is willing to shut her out of her life if “The Nurse” turns against Romeo.
- She shows great courage by trusting her life and future to Romeo… even refusing to believe the bad reports she gets, of Romeo when he gets into fights with her cousin.
3
Q
Friar Lawrence
A
- A Franciscan friar
- Friends with both Romeo and Juliet
- Kind, civic minded, a proponent of moderation and always ready with a plan.
- He secretly marries both of them, hoping that the union will bring peace to Verona.
- Catholic holy man
- Expert in using “mystical” potions and herbs.
4
Q
Mercutio
A
- Kinsman to the Prince and Romeo’s close friend
- overflows with imagination and wit.
- Also, strange biting satire and brooding fervor
- Loves wordplay especially sexual entendres
5
Q
The Nurse
A
- Juliet’s nurse… Breastfed her and cared for Juliet her entire life.
- Vulgar, long-winded, and sentimental character.
- Provides comic relief with her frequent inappropriate remarks & speeches
- Is a faithful confidant and loyal intermediary in Juliet’s affairs with Romeo UNTIL THE END OF THE BOOK.
- Believes in love and wants Juliet to find a nice-looking husband.
- Juliet sacrificing herself for love is incomprehensible to the nurse.
VIEW OF LOVE (nurse provides contrast):
NURSE: Earthy and sexual
JULIET: Idealistic and intense.
6
Q
Tybalt
A
- A Capulet
- Juliet’s cousin on her MOTHER’S side
- Loathes/hates Montagues
- Vain and fashionable
- Supremely aware of courtesy but lacks of it (lol)
- He becomes aggressive, violent and quick to draw his sword when he feels his bride has been injured.
- Once his sword is drawn, it’s something to be feared.
7
Q
Capulet
A
- The patriarch of the Capulet family. (Head)
- Father of Juliet and husband of Lady Capulet
- Is the enemy of Montagues for unexplainable reasons.
- Truly loves his daughter… But is not acquainted with Juliet’s thoughts and feelings
- Thinks that Paris is the best match for Juliet (yuck lol)
- Often prudent, he commands respect and propriety.
- ^^ But he is liable to fly into a rage when either is lacking.
8
Q
Lady Capulet
A
- Juliet’s mother and Capulet’s wife
- She married young
- She gave birth to Juliet at approximately 14 years old.
- Is eager to see her daughter married to Paris (yuck lol)
- Is an effectual mother relying on “The Nurse” for moral and pragmatic support.
9
Q
Montague
A
- The patriarch of the Montague clan
- Romeo’s father and Lady Montague’s husband
- Bitter enemy of Capulet family
- Beginning of play, he is chiefly concerned about Romeo’s melancholy.
10
Q
Lady Montague
A
- Romeo’s mother
- Montague’s wife
- She dies of grief after Romeo is exiled from Verona
11
Q
Paris
A
- A kinsman of the Prince
- Suitor of Juliet most preferred by Capulet
- Capulet promised Paris to marry his daughter… Paris behaves presumptuous towards Juliet… As if they are already married.
12
Q
Benvolio
A
- Montague’s nephew
- Romeo’s cousin and thoughtful friend
- He makes genuine efforts to defuse violence in public places.
- Mercutio accuses Benvolio to have nasty tempers in private.
- Spends most of his time trying to get Rosaline off of Romeo’s mind…even after Romeo has fallen in love with Juliet.
13
Q
Prince Escalus
A
- The prince of Verona
- a kinsman of Mercutio and Paris
- As the seat of political power, he is mainly concerned of maintaining public peace at ALL COSTS. ….Even if it means persecution….
14
Q
Friar John
A
- A Franciscan friar
- Is charged by Friar Lawrence with taking the news of Juliet’s false death to Romeo in Mantua
- Friar John is held up in a quarantined house… And the message never reaches Romeo.
15
Q
Balthasar
A
- Romeo’s dedicated servant
- Brings the news of Juliet’s death to Romeo… Unaware that her death is a ruse (trick/deceiving act)
