ROMEO JULIET Characters and Family Associations ROMEO AND

“ROMEO & JULIET” Characters and Family Associations

ROMEO AND JULIET BACKGROUND § § § Setting Characters Montague Family Capulet Family Neutral Characters

SETTING FOR ROMEO AND JULIET § § § 15 TH Century Verona, Italy Play takes place over a 5 day period Two families feuding: Montagues and Capulets Montague family symbolizes nobility and old money § Capulet family symbolizes new money (rich merchants) infringing on nobility § Some also interpret the families representing the Catholic and Anglican churches and their feud in England

CHARACTERS § Dynamic Characters – These are characters that mature and change over the course of a play or a novel – Romeo and Juliet are the two dynamic characters § Static Characters – These are characters who do not change over the course of a play – All of the other characters in the play are static – Lord Montague, Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet change regarding the feud at the end of the play, but it is too late.

MONTAGUE FAMILY § Romeo – – – – – Only son of Lord and Lady Montague Very Romantic as his name suggests Passionate and sensitive In love with the idea of love, until he meets Juliet and discovers true love In love with a different girl when the play opens Likeable and popular in Verona True gentleman Becomes self-confident A man of action

MONTAGUE FAMILY § Lord Capulet – Romeo’s Father – Enjoys the feud with the Capulets (Fault) – Loves his son deeply, wants to know what is troubling him § Lady Capulet – – – Romeo’s mother Hates the feud Loves son deeply, dies of a broken heart when Romeo is banished § Benvolio – Romeo’s cousin – Romeo’s best friend a good friend – Has a reputation throughout Verona as an honest, kind and trustworthy person – Reliable and sensible

CAPULET FAMILY § Juliet – – – – Only daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet Young and beautiful She loyal Nurse is her only friend Practical: balcony scene is an example At first obedient, then takes charge of her own life Idealistic: She thinks love can overcome all her problems – Transforms from a girl to a woman throughout the course of the play.

CAPULET FAMILY § Lord Capulet – Wealthy and likes to be well-thought of – Wants everything his way – Strained relationship with his wife § Lady Capulet – Bitter and guarded – A young mother – Does not know how to relate or talk to Juliet – My be having an affair with Tybalt

CAPULET FAMILY § Nurse – – Juliet’s nurse and best friend Says what she thinks even if it isn’t appropriate Loves to plot and plan Does not understand the depth of love between Romeo and Juliet – Abandons Juliet when she needs the nurse most § Tybalt – – – Hot-headed Full of hate Embodies the feud

NEUTRAL CHARACTERS § Friar Lawrence – – – Catholic Means well, tries to settle feud Loves nature Loves Romeo like son he can’t have Understand’s lover’s problems and changes him § Mercutio – – – – Witty and sarcastic Center of attention Clever and intelligent Jokester of the play Fiery and excitable One of the top swordsman in Verona Loyal to Romeo despite not understanding his feelings Related to the Prince

NEUTRAL CHARACTERS § Prince Escalus – – Understands the seriousness of the feud Tries to end the feud Symbolizes law and order and/or Royalty Takes his share of the blame at the end § Paris – – – Honorable Wealthy Handsome Related to the Prince Unwelcome party in love triangle We see his love for Juliet at the end of the play