Who Is It?
This family was warned by Prince Escalus of Verona to not fight with their rivals, or otherwise face exile or execution. One of their offspring is named Romeo.
The Montagues ("Montag-yoos")
"A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life."
Prologue
This character is a would-be suitor, but finds that someone else has taken his place.
Paris, who wishes to marry Capulet's daughter Juliet.
"Uncle, this is a Montague, our foe,
A villain that is hither come in spite
To scorn at our solemnity this night."
Tybalt, Act 1 Scene 5
This character is a hot-headed Capulet who never backs down from a fight. This ends about as well for him as you'd imagine.
Tybalt, Juliet's cousin.
"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright.
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear."
Romeo, Act 1 Scene 5
This character was the one true love and object of affection for a person she didn't care for or even like that much.
Rosaline, the never-seen character who Romeo pines for at the start of the story.
"My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me
That I must love a loathèd enemy."
Juliet, Act 1 Scene 5
This character is a mother, but cares deeply for a child that is not her own as well. She is protective, but also supportive. Perhaps, one could say, she is too supportive.
Juliet's Nurse.
(What should her name be?)
'Many a morning hath he there been seen,
With tears augmenting the fresh morning’s dew,
Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs."
Lord Montague, Act 1 Scene 1
This character is an expert in medicinal plants, but also understands how dangerous they can be.
Friar Lawrence, a priest and friend to Romeo.
"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,
Who is already sick and pale with grief
That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she."
Romeo, Act 2 Scene 2
This character is known for his temper, his insults, and his gross and unpleasant sense of humor. (Spoiler alert: He dies in a swordfight.)
Mercutio, Romeo's friend
"Go thither, and with unattainted eye
Compare her face with some that I shall show,
And I will make thee think thy swan a crow."
Benvolio, Act 1 Scene 2
This character has to deal with a lot of conflicting voices and personalities in her life attempting to influence her in one way or another.
Juliet
"Therefore thy earliness doth me assure
Thou art uproused with some distemp’rature,
Or, if not so, then here I hit it right:
Our Romeo hath not been in bed tonight."
Friar Lawrence, Act 2 Scene 3
This character is known for being a bro, and encourages his friend to move on with his life and relax a little.
Benvolio, Romeo's cousin.
"Younger than she are happy mothers made."
Paris, Act 1 Scene 2
This character is willing to murder someone because they bit their thumb at him.
Abram. He doesn't appear much in this play, but his character is meant to get the audience's attention at the beginning of the story.
If you were to make a new version of the play, who would you cast as Abram?
"Then hie you hence to Friar Lawrence’ cell.
There stays a husband to make you a wife."
Juliet's Nurse, Act 2 Scene 5