Romeo and Juliet: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in Romeo and Juliet, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- ChorusThe Chorus introduces Verona, its feuding families, and the lovers from opposing sides.First seen in scene 1
- RomeoRomeo suffers from unreturned love, and his cousin Benvolio urges him to consider other women.First seen in scene 2
- TybaltTybalt attacks Benvolio when Benvolio tries to stop a fight between servants.First seen in scene 2
- BenvolioBenvolio tries to stop street fighting and advises his cousin Romeo about unreturned love.First seen in scene 2
- Prince EscalusPrince Escalus stops the street fight and threatens death for another disturbance.First seen in scene 2
- ParisParis seeks to marry Capulet’s daughter, but Capulet says her consent matters.First seen in scene 3
- CapuletCapulet invites Paris to a feast and asks him to win his daughter’s consent.First seen in scene 3
- RosalineRosaline is the woman Romeo loves, whose appeal Benvolio hopes other beauties can weaken.First seen in scene 3
- MontagueMontague faces the same penalties as Capulet, who says peace should be easy at their age.First seen in scene 3
- JulietJuliet agrees to consider marrying Paris, but only within the limits her mother permits.First seen in scene 4
- NurseThe Nurse recalls Juliet’s childhood and eagerly supports her possible marriage to Paris.First seen in scene 4
- Lady CapuletLady Capulet asks Juliet to consider marrying Paris at the evening feast.First seen in scene 4
- MercutioMercutio accompanies Romeo and Benvolio toward a masked ball, teasing Romeo and dismissing dreams.First seen in scene 5
- Friar LawrenceFriar Lawrence agrees to marry Romeo and Capulet’s daughter, hoping to reconcile their families.First seen in scene 10
- Scene 1
The Chorus introduces Verona’s feuding families and announces that their lovers’ deaths will end the conflict.
- Scene 2
A servants’ quarrel becomes a street fight, and Prince Escalus threatens death for another disturbance.
- Scene 3
Capulet asks Paris to win his daughter’s consent, while Romeo agrees to attend Capulet’s feast.
- Scene 4
Juliet agrees to consider Paris at the feast within the limits her mother permits.
- Scene 5
Mercutio dismisses dreams, while Romeo fears an early death before continuing toward the ball.
- Scene 6
Romeo and Juliet meet, kiss, and discover that they belong to enemy families.
- Scene 9
Romeo and Juliet declare their love, and Juliet asks him to arrange their marriage.
- Scene 10
Friar Lawrence agrees to help Romeo marry Capulet’s daughter, hoping to reconcile their families.
- Scene 11
Romeo gives the Nurse instructions for a marriage that afternoon in Friar Lawrence’s room.
- Scene 12
After delaying her message, the Nurse directs Juliet to Friar Lawrence’s room to marry.
- Scene 13
Friar Lawrence warns against intense passion and leads Romeo and Juliet away to perform their marriage ceremony.
- Scene 14
Tybalt fatally wounds Mercutio, Romeo kills Tybalt in revenge, and the Prince banishes Romeo.
- Scene 15
Juliet learns of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment, then defends Romeo as her husband.
- Scene 16
Friar Lawrence stops Romeo from harming himself and plans a visit to Juliet followed by refuge in Mantua.
- Scene 17
Without asking Juliet, Capulet promises her love to Paris and sets their wedding for Thursday.
- Scene 18
Romeo leaves at dawn, Juliet refuses Paris, and the Nurse’s advice causes Juliet to stop trusting her.
- Scene 19
Friar Lawrence gives Juliet a potion intended to imitate death and plans to inform Romeo.
- Scene 20
Juliet promises obedience to Capulet, who moves her wedding to the following morning.
- Scene 21
Alone and frightened by possible dangers, Juliet drinks the mixture and falls onto her bed.
- Scene 23
The Nurse finds Juliet unresponsive, and the household’s wedding preparations turn into mourning and burial plans.
- Scene 25
Friar John returns the undelivered letter, and Friar Lawrence decides to reach Juliet’s tomb before she wakes.
- Scene 26
Romeo kills Paris and poisons himself; Juliet wakes and kills herself, and the families reconcile after their deaths.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- VeronaVerona is the setting where two equally ranked families maintain an old feud.First seen in scene 1
- MantuaMantua is the place where Friar Lawrence plans for Romeo to take refuge.First seen in scene 16
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Romeo and Juliet, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Start freeBack to the Romeo and Juliet study guide · Quiz and flashcards
