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1. 
   robertwilliam

   eNotes Editor

   See below for links to Benvolio's character analysis, and a website which gives you every quote Benvolio ever says. If you want a single quote that sums up what Benvolio does in the play, I'd go for this one - actually the first thing he says in the play:

   BENVOLIO
   Part, fools!

   He beats down their swords.

   Put up your swords. You know not what you do.

   Benvolio, never in love or fighting himself, is constantly trying to persuade Mercutio and Romeo to chill out and stop being in love, or stop fighting, or trying to fight. And after Mercutio's death, he just vanishes from the play. He is the traditional peacemaker.

   And, incidentally, his name means "Good-wishing" or "well-wishing" (Ben - "good", and volio - "I wish").

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo-text/act-i-scene-i

   http://www.enotes.com/romeo/benvolio-character-analysis

   http://www.opensourceshakespeare.org/views/plays/characte...

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   Posted by robertwilliam on Tuesday February 3, 2009 at 10:34 AM