What are some of Benvolio's character traits in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?

Benvolio is a young man of the Montague family and cousin to Romeo. Throughout Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio's actions prove him to be an easygoing lad who values keeping the peace. In fact, the name Benvolio is related to the word "benevolent," meaning "good will." Benvolio is not just Romeo's cousin, but also his best friend, and tries to maintain some objectivity in negotiating Romeo's love for Juliet and the betrayal this might mean for his family.

Benvolio cares for Romeo and wants him to be happy. In the beginning of the play, he tries to distract Romeo from his unrequited love for Rosaline. It is at Benvolio's suggestion that Romeo goes to the party where he meets and falls for Juliet. Though Benvolio is not a major character in the rest of the play, his actions set up the major plot conflict resulting in Romeo and Juliet's deaths.