Benvolio

• Benvolio


  • Stands in as the Montagues' young voice of reason
  • Attempts to break up a street fight
  • Intercepts Romeo's lovelorn ramblings
  • Redirects his friends' attention when they get off topic
  • Tries to keep the peace
  • Does not seem to value his family over the Capulets or think either side is correct in their feud
  • His primary goal is to let everyone get on with their lives
  • Usually appears in scenes with Romeo, Mercutio, or both
  • Contrast of Benvolio against these more erratic characters heightens the impression that he is consistently level-headed and sensible
• Benvolio's role


  1. Intercessor before altercations take place

  2. Explains the play's opening skirmish to the Montagues

  3. Tells the Prince the details of Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo's fights

  4. Gives simple, concise accounts of the events

  5. Points out Mercutio's fault in the fight

  6. Does not paint his friends as innocent when they are not
• Benvolio's personality


  • Mercutio implies he has a hot temper and is easily provoked to fight
  • This personality trait never manifests itself in the text
  • Either Mercutio is teasing his friend, or Benvolio's sensible tendencies are only proof of a mature effort to hold himself back from fights
  • Usually shows his rationale rather than his emotions in any given moment
  • The one notable time Benvolio does reveal his emotions, he cries in sympathy with Romeo's pangs of unrequited love
  • Clearly, Benvolio does not lack feeling; he simply chooses his moments to show it
• Emotion and impulsivity drive much of the plot of Romeo and Juliet, but Benvolio—though ultimately unsuccessful in his peace-making—helps anchor the story with his voice of thoughtful maturity
• Benvolio and Romeo


  Benvolio is a close friend of Romeo and part of the Montague household
• Benvolio

  • He is a good friend to the Montague family
  • He is referred to as Romeo's cousin, demonstrating the depth of their bond
• Benvolio and Romeo's parents

  Benvolio helps Romeo's parents understand and support Romeo
• At the beginning of the play, Romeo is in love with Rosaline who has rejected him
• Benvolio's idea

  Attend the Capulet party to see Rosaline in comparison with other women
• Benvolio's personality


  • Benevolent, kind, motivated toward making peaceful resolutions
  • Diplomatic and a peacemaker
• How Benvolio intervenes for justice

  Explains the fights to the authorities to save Romeo from punishment
• Benvolio: 'I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword, Or manage it to part these men with me.'
• Benvolio: 'Alas, that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!'
• Benvolio: 'I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt.'
• Benvolio: 'One fire burns out another's burning, One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish'
• Benvolio: 'O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio's dead! That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds'