Romeo and Juliet The protagonist of Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet is Romeo Montague. Most of the play's action centers on him and his passionate affection for Juliet. At first Romeo experiences unrequited love with Rosaline but when he sets eyes on Juliet, he immediately forgets Rosaline. However, his love of Juliet is forbidden and eventually their romance results in their deaths. Because Romeo is the central character of the play and the force behind the plot, he is the protagonist.

While there is no central antagonist in the play, Tybalt best fits that role. A young, rash Capulet, Tybalt stands in Romeo's way from the very beginning when...

When he attempts to attack Romeo, the elder Capulet must restrain him. Later, he challenges Romeo to a duel. However, Romeo refuses to fight and instead his dear friend Mercutio fights in his place and dies. Therefore, Tybalt causes much pain and anguish to the protagonist and can be rightly named the antagonist of the play.
The conflict of Romeo and Juliet is that the two young lovers are forbidden to marry because their families are engaged in a bitter feud. Were it not for the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues, Romeo and Juliet would be able to instantly marry. However, the conflict is the essence of…