Talk:Benvolio

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[edit] Sole survivor

Added a paragraph about Benvolio as "sole survivor" among principal youths in the play, but am not terribly happy with my phrasing as it contains much subjective opinion and speculation--not especially warranted in an encyclopedia, but I'm sure there's a better way to phrase it, if someone wants to take a shot.

[edit] benvolio

I was told Benvolio's name is derived from benevolent. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 68.77.27.122 (talk) 18:53, 24 February 2007 (UTC).

It is my considered opinion that Benvolio's name is derived from the Latin words Bene-meaning "good"-and Volo, which when literally translated means "I want".

Psychron 01:21, 8 May 2007 (UTC)

The name Benvolio means something like good will. This meaning also shows the role of Benvolio in the play as a peacekeeper, whose aim is to find a solution for the quarrel between the 2 families.--The Benvolio 16:59, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

Feel free to add this (with a source, of course). Wrad 17:01, 25 August 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Whatever happened to Benvolio

I've often wondered about what happened to Benvolio during the final acts of the play. He's an active character until ACT III, where, after the Romeo-Mercutio-Tybalt incident, he basically disappears. Where did he go? Why didn't he appear during the final scene? Can anyone help with the answers? -- JS, 70.251.54.109 22:34, 18 October 2007 (UTC)

  • I've read before, though I couldn't tell you where, a debate about whether Benvolio actually survives himself. Taken literally, his final monologue - which begins with "Tybalt [began the quarrel]" and ends with "This is the truth, or let Benvolio die." - could indicate such; Mercutio is the one who truly picks a fight with Tybalt. It would be against Wikipedian guidelines to report that on the main page, though, since the bottom line is that Shakespeare simply did away with Benvolio after III.1 and gave us no legitimate indication as to what happens to him. Nowah Balloon 23:17, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
    • A recent play, called After Juliet has Benvolio fall in love with Rosaline after the events in R&J. Wrad 23:19, 20 October 2007 (UTC)
      • These were some interesting responses, even though they are not definitive. I must admit, it's a fascinating thought to wonder about Benvolio falling in love with the ghost character Rosaline---I've certainly never seen that idea embraced in my English class. It's also interesting to think about whether Benvolio himself even survived; if he didn't, it just goes to show how senselessly destructive this vendetta really was. Seriously, with Benvolio gone, really none of the principal characters would be alive! Incidentally, did Shakespeare, in later years, ever reveal what the actual source was that started this feud in the first place? --- JS, 70.249.81.52 00:14, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
        • Nope, scholars have pointed out that Shakespeare is silent on the subject. Wrad 00:57, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
          • There's always something... --- JS, 70.249.81.52 01:46, 22 October 2007 (UTC)
            • I haven't read After Juliet yet but I am really not a fan of the Benvolio/Rosaline thing. I think the death theory is WAY more in fitting with the Benvolio character that Shakespeare presented in R&J. Just sayin'. Nowah Balloon 20:37, 26 October 2007 (UTC)