Romeo — Tragic Hero
The tragic hero is the protagonist who experiences a large downfall due to personal flaws and external forces. “Alive, in triumph! and Mercutio slain! Away to heaven, respective lenity, And fire-eyed fury be my conduct now! [Re-enter TYBALT] Now, Tybalt, take the villain back again, That late thou gavest me; for Mercutio’s soul Is but a little way above our heads, Staying for thine to keep him company: Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him.” (Act 3.1)
Juliet — Damel in Distress
A damsel refers to a young woman, and a damsel in distress is almost always a woman who is physically attractive; this is of course what sparks the interest of her savior. A Damsel is always helpless and in need of rescuing. “Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Ah, poor my lord, what tongue shall smooth thy name, When I, thy three-hours wife, have mangled it? But, wherefore, villain, didst thou kill my cousin? That villain cousin would have kill’d my husband: Back, foolish tears, back to your native spring; Your tributary drops belong to woe, Which you, mistaking, offer up to joy.” (Act 3.2)
Nurse — Earth Mother
The Earth Mother is a symbol of fertility; she offers spiritual and emotional support to others and usually wears earthen colors. “Romeo is banish’d; and all the world to nothing, 2330 That he dares ne’er come back to challenge you; Or, if he do, it needs must be by stealth. Then, since the case so stands as now it doth, I think it best you married with the county. O, he’s a lovely gentleman! 2335 Romeo’s a dishclout to him: an eagle, madam, Hath not so green, so quick, so fair an eye As Paris hath. Beshrew my very heart, I think you are happy in this second match, For it excels your first: or if it did not, 2340 Your first is dead; or ’twere as good he were, As living here and you no use of him.” (Act 3.5)
Mercutio — Trickster/Clown
The trickster/clown is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. “Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the eight. Will you pluck your sword out of his pitcher by the ears? make haste, lest mine be about your ears ere it be out.” (Act 3.1)
Friar Lawrence — The Mentor
The mentor is usually old, and this person often has some kind of magical abilities or a much greater breadth of knowledge than others possess. “O deadly sin! O rude unthankfulness! 1895 Thy fault our law calls death; but the kind prince, Taking thy part, hath rush’d aside the law, And turn’d that black word death to banishment: This is dear mercy, and thou seest it not.” (Act 3.3)
Tybalt — The Villain
The villain wants to stop the hero archetype from achieving his or her goal. The villain is often evil, though there is often a reason—however warped that reason may be—why villains are so bad. “Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort him here, Shalt with him hence.” (Act 3.1)