The name Benvolio means "one who makes peace". this meaning is an omen about Benvolio's role in the narrative and its importance within the story. Benvolio was a friend and cousin of Romeo, as well as being a great opponent of the enmity between the Capulets and the Montagues.
Benvolio assumes the role of peacemaker between the two families, he wants the enmity between him and Tybalt to end and that this does not generate fights between the two. He is also responsible for animating Romeo, at the beginning of the story, when Romeo is depressed by a loving and peaceful heart, he tries to free Romeo from the death sentence and is portrayed as a calm, peaceful, pious and kind boy.
The name Mercutio means "for of mercury", and refers to the quick, shrewd and explosive nature of this character. As we know, Mercutio is also a friend of Romeo, but unlike Benvolio, he has an expansive, temperamental and warm personality. Mercutio's main role in the plot is to be the opposite of Benvolio and to be an emotional character who acts on impulse and the impetus of his emotions. This causes him to indulge in a conflict with Tybalt, who ends up taking his life and causing Romeo's banishment.
The different endings between these two characters, shows how personality interferes in the development of their lives. Benvolio for being calm and rational helps his friend and has a long life ahead of him. Mercútio, being temperamental and emotional, causes one of the main problems of his friend and ends up losing his life in a brutal way.
