Character trait: Self-controlled

“And I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee simple of my life for an
hour and a quarter.” (3,1, 27-28)
If what Mercutio said about Benvolio was true, why has Benvolio never been shown
taking part in the fighting?
Mercutio stated to Benvolio that “Thou hast quarreled with a man for coughing in the
street, because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out
with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter? With another, for tying his new shoes
with old ribbon?”(3,1, 22-27). Mercutio exclaims how Benvolio would pick fights over the
smallest of things and that he was as hot-tempered as anyone else in Italy. But if this was true,
why has Benvolio never fought on stage in the play? This is because Benvolio has self-control.
It is what differentiates him from other characters like Romeo, Mercutio, and Tybalt. Benvolio
has never gotten in a fight with the family of Capulets and disapproves of when his peers fight
the Capulets. This is because Benvolio recognizes how serious the two families’ feud is. He
seems to be the only character in the play to view the Prince’s threat seriously and he avoids
fights because of it. For him, fighting the Capulets would result in his death and the death of
others. So he controls his temper to protect the well-being of himself and others. While the
people around him charge recklessly at each other without thinking of the consequences.

Could Benvolio be considered a moral person?

Benvolio is as morally ambiguous as any other character in Romeo and Juliet. He can
get violent and also lies when it's favourable to him. Although Benvolio has always advocated
for peace between the two families, he readily pinned the blame for Mercutio and Tybalt’s death
on the Capulets. He claims that Tybalt had started the fight when in actuality, it was Mercutio
who had provoked Tybalt. Benvolio lies to the Prince to protect Romeo. He tries to paint Romeo
in an honourable light so that Romeo doesn’t get executed. Benvolio does this even if it means
he has to twist some of the details and villainize Tybalt. As stated above, Benvolio is quick to
start fights but refrains from doing so to keep himself and his family safe. He does not keep the
peace because he believes fights are intrinsically bad, and he also lies when it is favourable to
him or his friends. But he is respectable because of his care for his friends. He bets his life on
his lie, showing how much he is willing to do for Romeo’s sake. So though Benvolio cannot be
considered morally correct, he is thoughtful and kind to his friends and family.

A symbol to represent Benvolio would be a sheathed knife. Although there are many
opportunities to pull it out and defend yourself using violence, the knife stays sheathed. Benvolio
chooses to protect his loved ones in a different way instead of violence. He knows that fighting
is not worth the consequences.