"Part fools! You know not what you do!" - Benvolio attempting to convince the Montagues and Capulets not to fight
Benvolio Montague is Romeo's cousin and one of the two tritagonists (alongside Mercutio) of Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. He is a member of the Montague household who believes in peace and attempts to quell the fighting between the Montagues and the Capulets throughout the play albeit unsuccessfully.
Personality and Traits[]
Benvolio is a cautious, pacifistic young man who, unlike most other characters in the play, seems determined to prevent any sort of fighting between the two sides. However, it is noted by Mercutio that sometimes he can be impulsive and hot-headed too ("Thou art as hot a jack in thy mood as any in Italy"). He appears to be close to Romeo, as he manages to convince him to explain what is bothering him when Lord and Lady Montague appear unable to do so. He appears to be close to Mercutio too, although their relationship is more frayed due to the sharp contrast in personality. In the 1998 movie by Baz Lurmen, he is shown to be laidback and witty, however, he may come across as cocky at some points.
Synopsis[]
Benvolio first appears when a fight begins between Sampson and Gregory and Abraham and Balthasaar. He intervenes, attempting to convince the servingmen to not start a brawl. However, Tybalt arrives and challenges him to a fight, which he reluctantly accepts. After the fight and the intervention of Prince Escalus, he discusses Romeo's sullen behaviour with Lord and Lady Montague and goes to try and convince him to open up. Romeo reveals that he has feelings for a girl named Rosaline of the Capulet household (although his feelings are unrequited), and Benvolio convinces him to attend Lord Capulet's party in order to fall for someone else. Romeo falls for Juliet at the party, and abandons Benvolio and Mercutio outside where they wait for him, presuming he has gone to find Rosaline, when Mercutio is unable to call him back, the two leave.
When Romeo returns, Benvolio and Mercutio chide him on his absence, but he does not explain about Juliet. The Nurse appears in order to speak to Romeo, and Mercutio harasses her. Depending on the version, Benvolio may or may not join in. We next see Benvolio and Mercutio after Romeo and Juilet's wedding (to which they were not invited) as Benvolio suggests to Mercutio that they should leave lest they start a fight with the Capulet's again. Mercutio ignores him, and Tybalt turns up, announcing his intentions to fight Romeo. Benvolio attempts to quell the tensions, but he is unsuccessful as upon Romeo's arrival, a fight breaks out and both Tybalt and Mercutio are killed. Romeo flees after killing Tybalt, and Benvolio explains the situation to the Prince and his officers, attempting to save Romeo. However, Lady Capulet's intervention prevents this, and Romeo is banished. This is the last time he is seen in the play.
Portrayals[]
Benvolio has been played by many actors in many adaptations, including:
In the 1968 adaptation the part of Benvolio was played by Bruce Robinson.
In the 1996 adaptation, Benvolio was played by Dash Mihok.
In the 2001 French musical Roméo et Juliette: de la Haine à l'Amour, the role was originated by Grégori Baquet.
In the 2013 adaptation, he was played by Kodi Smit-McPhee.
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