Comparing Benvolio In William Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet, the characters are hotheaded, dramatic civilians of Verona that are fighting an age-old feud between the Capulets and Montagues. However, Benvolio is different from all the other characters. He wants to keep peace between the members of the rival families. Shakespeare, the author of Romeo and Juliet, uses contrast, sarcasm, and fighting in the passage to show that, unlike the other teenagers in Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio tries to keep peace and calm.

In this passage provided, we can see that Mercutio and Benvolio are very different people. When they are together in this scene, their differing facets stand out tremendously. Mercutio is a hotheaded, witty character, while Benvolio is the calm, peacekeeper that tries to keep

Shakespeare also writes that Benvolio will fight someone just because he is “cracking nuts” (3.1.20) or for “having no other reason but because thou hast hazel eyes.”(3.1.21-22). Written, the lines look to be saying that Benvolio quarrels with anyone and everyone. However, in context, it is sarcasm. Shakespeare can use this sarcasm because at this point in the story, Benvolio’s character is solidified as a peacemaker. In addition, the person that says it, Mercutio, is established as a witty, sarcastic character. Therefore, these witty lines are funny because the audience already knows that Benvolio is a calm

Instead of watching from the side or cheering the fight on, Benvolio says that the men should “either withdraw unto some private place, or reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us” (3.1.54-56) He says that they should either fight in private or walk away, which shows that Benvolio doesn’t want to disturb the public. But this also shows that, along with not wanting Mercutio and Tybalt to fight, he doesn’t want Prince to get upset. In Act 1, scene 1, Prince explains that there will be major consequences to another fight out in the streets of Verona between the Capulets and Montagues. Mindful of that, Benvolio warns the men to stop before they get into trouble. This one line from Benvolio shows that not only is he a peacekeeper between the Capulet and Montague families, but he is also a peacekeeper of the public