Romeo and Juliet
Prince Escalus
Ruler of Verona
The stern prince of Verona, who orders death for anyone who disturbs the peace and speaks the play's closing words.
Prince Escalus is the law of Verona. He arrives in the opening brawl with his guard, calls the Montagues and Capulets rebellious subjects, and declares that if the streets are disturbed again, the lives of those responsible will pay the forfeit.
He is firm and fair, and tired of the bloodshed. He is also a kinsman of both Mercutio and Paris, so he has his own losses by the end. His decrees are the rules the families have to live under, and his sentence on Romeo shows him weighing justice and mercy.
“Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace! If ever you disturb our streets again, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
After Tybalt dies, the Prince listens to Benvolio's account and to Lady Capulet's demand for blood. He rules that Romeo killed Tybalt after Tybalt killed Mercutio, so the law's work is already done. He spares Romeo's life but banishes him, and promises that the next time Romeo is found in Verona will be his last.
At the tomb, the Prince hears the story from Friar Laurence and hears how the lovers died. His last speech says that a glooming peace has come, and that some shall be pardoned and some punished.
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