Who’s who in Romeo and Juliet, the 1597 play by William Shakespeare, with a guide to every character in our retelling for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.
Romeo and Juliet takes place in the city of Verona, Italy, where two wealthy families, the Montagues and the Capulets, have quarreled for as long as anyone can remember. Their servants brawl in the streets, and the Prince warns that the next fight will be punished. Into this world come Romeo, a Montague, and Juliet, a Capulet, who fall in love before they even know each other’s family names.
Around them is a lively cast. Friar Laurence and the Nurse help the young couple in secret. Mercutio brings jokes and loyalty, while Tybalt and Lord Capulet show how pride and temper can fuel a feud. This is a tragedy, so the story ends sadly for Romeo and Juliet, and for Mercutio and Tybalt along the way. Parents will find it gentle to talk about: the play is really about how a grudge hurts everyone, and how peace can come too late.
Son of Montague • Gentle dreamer
Romeo Montague is a gentle dreamer who loves poetry far more than sword fights. When he sneaks into the Capulet party, he sees Juliet and falls in love at first sight, even though their families are enemies. Romeo asks Friar Laurence to marry them in secret and tries to make peace with Tybalt, but his quick heart also leads him into hasty choices.
Full character guide
Daughter of Capulet • Brave and true
Juliet Capulet is a bright, brave girl, not yet fourteen, whose family has an old quarrel with the Montagues. At a masked party she meets Romeo, and the two fall in love before they learn each other’s family names. Juliet speaks her own mind, keeps her promises, and bravely follows a risky plan when her father tries to choose her husband for her.
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Wise Verona friar • Maker of peace
Friar Laurence is a gentle monk who grows lavender, sage and mint in his garden and knows how herbs can heal. When Romeo and Juliet fall in love, he agrees to marry them in secret, hoping their love will turn their families’ old fight into friendship. He is wise and hopeful, and he tries his very best to help the young couple when trouble comes.
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Juliet’s loyal nurse • Warm and bustling
The Nurse has cared for Juliet since she was a tiny baby. She is chatty, funny and always bustling about, and she loves Juliet like her own child. The Nurse carries secret messages between Juliet and Romeo and helps arrange their wedding, though later she gives Juliet advice that Juliet cannot bring herself to follow.
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Romeo’s witty friend • Full of jokes
Mercutio is Romeo’s clever, joking best friend, who loves wild stories, teasing and a bit of daring fun. He hands out feathered masks so the friends can slip into the Capulet party. Mercutio is fiercely loyal and quick to stand up for his friends, but his sharp tongue and fiery pride can lead him straight into trouble.
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Capulet cousin • Proud and fierce
Tybalt is Juliet’s fiery cousin, who is fiercely proud of the Capulet family name. He has a quick temper and is always ready to quarrel with any Montague. At the masked party he spots Romeo and wants to chase him out, but Lord Capulet orders him to stop. Tybalt obeys, yet he holds onto his grudge and goes looking for trouble later.
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Juliet’s proud father • Master of Capulet house
Lord Capulet is Juliet’s wealthy father, a proud man who loves throwing grand parties. He can be warm and welcoming, even stopping Tybalt from starting a fight at his feast, but he also has a hot temper and expects everyone to obey him. When he decides Juliet should marry Count Paris, he refuses to listen to her. In the end, he reaches out to make peace.
Full character guide