Romeo’s cousin and close friend in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is Benvolio.
Benvolio belongs to the Montague family and is Romeo’s kinsman. His name is associated with goodwill, and he often acts as a peacemaker when the feud erupts in the streets. In the opening scene, he tries to stop the servants’ fight rather than intensify it.
Benvolio also helps Romeo’s friends understand his changing mood. Early in the play, he is concerned about Romeo’s sadness over Rosaline. Later, he accompanies Romeo and Mercutio and reports the fatal street confrontation to the Montagues.
Benvolio is sometimes confused with Balthasar, Romeo’s servant, or Mercutio, Romeo’s other close companion. These characters belong to Romeo’s circle but have different roles. Benvolio is the Montague relative who repeatedly observes events and urges restraint.