As a character our expectations of Romeo are of a high standard. His name is in the title which suggests he is very important character, although he is absent for most of act 1. In the beginning of the play, Romeo is pining for Rosaline, the object of his unrequited love. He spends most of his time sighing over his depressing and virtually nonexistent love life. Romeo is first mentioned as an aimless wanderer, preoccupied with thoughts of Rosaline. His father, Montague, describes his doleful manner: "Many a morning hath he been there seen”, “With tears augmenting the fresh morning's dew”, “Adding clouds to more clouds with his deep sighs". His family goes on to discuss what could be wrong with the young man, noting that he is so forlorn that he often sequesters himself in his darkened room. Such passivity in his approach to love with Rosaline is a theme that recurs until he meets Juliet. Romeo is seen to be impulsive in act 2 scene 1. When he sees Juliet, he falls in love with her immediately. He charms Juliet, during their first kiss. The use of images pertaining to religion and how he equates himself with a pilgrim bowls Juliet over. Romeo compares Juliet to “a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear” when he first sees her. He can be seen as a young and impulsive young man, who thinks a lot with his heart. This though proves itself very admirable in his romanticism.
Benvolio is very peaceful. In the beginning of the play he tries to stop the fight between servants of the two feuding families. The Tybalt comes along and tries to start a fight but Benvolio refuses. “Benvolio: I do but keep the peace. Put up thy swords, or manage it to part these men with me.” Tybalt: “What, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word as I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee coward!” Benvolio can be seen here as a peace keeper. He tries not to get into a fight but to resolve it. Later on Benvolio finds out that Romeo is in love with Rosaline. He is always around Romeo tries to help him. He tells Romeo that he should attend the feast at the Capulets’ house. Then he will be able to compare Rosaline, whom he loves, with other more beautiful girls. “Sups the fair Rosaline whom so lov’st, with all the admired beauties of Verona.” This suggests that their friendship is loyal and reliable as it shows that Benvolio cares for his friend and tries to help him get over Rosaline.
Mercutio is another good friend of Romeo. Mercutio's concern is always for Romeo and for peace between the two families, the Capulets and the Montagues. Mercutio is the first to see that Romeo is deeply in love. In , Mercutio calls for Romeo by saying, "Romeo! Humors! Madman! Passion! Lover!" He then says, "my invocation is fair and honest, in his mistress' name…" Mercutio shows his concern and expresses it to Romeo. He does not want Romeo to marry his mistress, because he knows it will cause trouble between the two families. Mercutio tries to convince Romeo that his love for Juliet will only cause problems and in the end, things will not work out. Romeo dismisses Mercutio as, "A gentleman, that loves to hear himself talk and will speak more in a minute than he will stand to in a month." Romeo does not heed the warnings of his good friend. Love has already overcome him and controls all of his thoughts and actions. This love prevents Mercutio from saving Romeo and keeping peace between the families.
Romeo meets Juliet in the beginning of Act 2. Juliet's relationship with is far different than any other she has ever had. When Juliet sees Romeo at the Capulet's party, she instantly falls in love with him. Within a matter of hours, Romeo becomes the single most important person in her life. She decides that she wants to marry Romeo, but she knows that he is a Montague, and Montagues are hated among the Capulets. She knows that a relationship between a Montague and a Capulet could never realistically work out. Therefore, thinking with her heart, not her mind, she decides to meet Romeo at cell, and subsequently marries Romeo. Juliet is completely devoted to Romeo the entire play in many ways. First, she says that if did not lose his name as a Montague, than she would give up her own.
