The Influence Of Secondary Characters In Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare

Each of the 8.1 billion people in the world live unique lives, with every person they meet being a character that influences their passage through time. From the average passerby on the daily commute, to long-time friends and family, everyone we meet throughout our lives are influential to our future. This innate social quality that changes the many aspects of our lives is evidently true in works of fiction as well. In Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, the influences of the story’s secondary characters are what directly drive the plot into the tragic story that is renowned around the world today. This is first seen in family Montague, through the actions of Benvolio as he counsels the young troubled Romeo. Next, on the Capulet side the

The relationship between Romeo and Benvolio is very prevalent, with Romeo caring a lot about what Benvolio thinks. This is seen numerous times throughout the length of the play. Romeo sulks at his struggles with love, but Benvolio takes sympathy with Romeo as they have an exchange: “Romeo Dost thou not laugh? / Benvolio No, coz, I rather weep. / Romeo Good heart, at what? / Benvolio At thy good heart’s oppression.” (1.1.192-94). The deep connection between Romeo and Benvolio is seen through the uses of words like “coz”, short for cousin, and “Good heart” which represent their fondness for each other. Benvolio understands Romeo’s confliction and cares to weep with Romeo over his problems, rather than laugh at his pain. Due to their strong connection, Benvolio is observed to direct Romeo with his advice, influencing him, his decisions and his future. Unfortunately and unintentionally, this is what leads to his untimely demise. Benvolio’s wisdom to guide Romeo is seen when he says: “Be ruled by me: forget to think of her.” (1.1.234). Advising Romeo away from this trivial love he cares so much about and through forgetting, he will be able “Examine other beauties.” (1.1.236) and move on. By moving on, Romeo begins to focus his loving interests onto other dames in Verona, where through coincidence, opportunity presents itself. Benvolio’s damage

Throughout the play, the Nurse acts as Juliet's confidante, almost a second mother, providing guidance and support. This is seen as Lady Capulet is looking to have a talk with Juliet and exclaims: “Nurse, give leave awhile, / We must talk in secret. Nurse, come back” (1.3.7-8). The Nurse, even in supposedly private conversations between Juliet and her birth mother, is sought to be included. The Nurse’s connection to Juliet leads to her serving as the intermediary between Romeo and Juliet, helping them exchange messages and arrange their clandestine meetings. The Nurse states: “I’ll find Romeo / To comfort you. I wot well where he is. / Romeo will be here at night. / … He is hid at Laurence cell.” (3.2.138-141). These words spoken by the Nurse leads Juliet to believe that despite the catastrophe Romeo caused, everything will still be okay. This false sense of hope is what leads to Juliet taking the risk of meeting Romeo at her home and even arguing against the wishes of her parents to prevent him from being banished. The events that follow this are what lead to the sequence of mistakes and extremities experienced by Juliet as she begins to make rushed decisions. Though the Nurse has been portrayed as Juliet’s number one supporter, this is evidently disrupted by her stronger devotion to the rulings of Lord and Lady Capulet. A lengthy argument ensued between the members of the Capulet