Benvolio In Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Everyone has their own definition of a perfect friend. Some people want a friend who sticks with them through thick and thin. Other people want a friend who makes sure that they don't make a total fool of themselves. However, in the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a character is illustrated who meets all of these criteria. This particular person goes by the name of Benvolio, a friend and cousin to one of the protagonists of the story, Romeo. Benvolio is a perfect match for Romeo;he is smart enough to keep them both out of trouble. All together, Benvolio is a character who says it as it is, without leaving anything unsaid. He keeps the peace, as well as comforting and protecting the people he cares about, particularly Romeo. While he is a good friend, many actions of Benvolio are just simply that of a good person. An example of this is shown

After being challenged by Tybalt, Romeo runs into a very awkward and dangerous situation. As the punishment for fighting in the city of Verona is death, fighting Tybalt in the first place is very dangerous in of itself. But, after Mercutio, another of Romeo’s friends, is killed by Tybalt, Benvolio breaks the news to Romeo, testifying, “O Romeo, Romeo, brave Mercutio is dead! That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds, Which too untimely here did scorn the earth.” (3.1.109-111) Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge his friend, but once faced by the law, is unable to defend himself, and so Benvolio steps in to help. The Prince asks all present who to blame for the death of Mercutio, and Benvolio’s testimony causes Lord Montague to respond, saying, “Not Romeo, Prince; he was Mercutio’s friend. His fault concludes but what the law should end, The life of Tybalt.” (3.1.177-179) Benvolio acts to save Romeo from death, but cannot save him from his punishment of