How does Benvolio's name match his temperament?

Benvolio is good and even-tempered. He is aptly named by Shakespeare because the prefix of his name, "ben," is a Latin root meaning good. It is also the prefix for such words as benefit (to gain good results), benevolent (kindhearted) and benign (not harmful). Twice during the play he tries to do the right thing and avoid violence.

In Act I, Scene 1, he attempts to dissuade the servants of the Montagues and Capulets from...

Benvolio is good and even-tempered. He is aptly named by Shakespeare because the prefix of his name, "ben," is a Latin root meaning good. It is also the prefix for such words as benefit (to gain good results), benevolent (kindhearted) and benign (not harmful). Twice during the play he tries to do the right thing and avoid violence.

In Act I, Scene 1, he attempts to dissuade the servants of the Montagues and Capulets from fighting in the streets of Verona. When challenged by Tybalt he calls for restraint:

I do but keep the peace. Put up thy sword,
Or manage it to part these men with me.

In Act III, Scene 1, he also is the voice of reason when he and Mercutio are in the street. He is afraid the Capulets will come along and they will fight. He knows that Mercutio is quick-tempered and that if they meet Tybalt there will be trouble. He says,

I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot, the Capels are abroad,
And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.

His words foreshadow the impending fight which winds up taking the lives of both Mercutio and Tybalt. During that same scene he does the right thing by telling the Prince the truth about the conflict and that Romeo was only engaging Tybalt after Mercutio was killed. His words lead the Prince to banish Romeo rather than put him to death.