Romeo and Juliet

Young Montague who falls passionately in love with Juliet; impulsive and poetic

Capulet daughter who defies family loyalty for love; matures rapidly throughout the play

Juliet's fiery cousin; embodiment of the feud's destructive honour code

Romeo's witty friend; his death marks the play's turn from comedy to tragedy

Well-meaning priest whose plan to reunite the lovers ultimately fails

Juliet's confidante; comic but ultimately abandons Juliet when it matters most

Juliet's father; exercises patriarchal control over her marriage

Noble suitor approved by Capulet; represents the conventional marriage Juliet rejects