Romeo son of Montague, is first introduced to us as a sad, melancholic, apathetic youth. His reason for sadness is universal; Rosaline his love will not return his affections. From the point of where Romeo meets Juliet he is no longer melancholic, but dynamic and courageous, risking his life at the Capulet's house to be near Juliet and later breaking a banishment order which threatens death for him, to see his Juliet again.
Tybalt, nephew to Lady Capulet, this rash, hot-blooded young man is adversarial and hateful towards all Montague’s, especially Romeo. When he sees Romeo at the Capulet party, his immediate instinct is to fight, but only the increasingly firm warnings from Lord Capulet to hold his peace restrain him. Benvolio has a minor role in the act, nephew to Montague, and friend to Mercutio and Romeo.
The two lords of the families, both elderly men who abhor each other. We learn the feud has been going on for some time, yet we never learn the reason for this. Prince Escalus, prince of Verona, continued annoyance with the ongoing feud between the Capulet and Montague families leads him to warn both families that further fighting the two will be punished by death. The prince has a very important role throughout the act.
Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montague family start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio and Tybalt. Escalus, the Prince of Verona who angrily learns of this fight, declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families.
Romeo we learn is lovesick; Rosaline, the object of his affections will not requite his love. Benvolio, Romeos friend helps him and tells him to look for other girls.
Lord Capulet is keen for Paris to marry his daughter Juliet and plans a party to be held later that night. Romeo and friends decide to turn up uninvited, Romeo hoping to see Rosaline, whom he still pines for. Mercutio attempts to cheer a lovesick Romeo up, telling him to be rough with love if need be.
Romeo, who is disguised by a masque, falls in love with Juliet on sight. Capulet stops Tybalt from attacking Romeo at his party, telling him there will be other opportunities. Both Romeo and Juliet learn that they are each enemies of the other's family. Both Romeo and Juliet feel their love fore one another and their loyalty to their respective families.
It is ironic that Benvolio’s plans for Romeo to ‘look for other girls’ works, but with the result that could not be foreseen.
