Who is Escalus in romeo and Juliet?

In the play "Romeo and Juliet," Escalus is the Prince of Verona. He is responsible for keeping order in the city and trying to prevent conflict between the feuding families, the Montagues and Capulets. Escalus is often portrayed as a just and fair leader, but he can also be ruthless when necessary. In one scene, for example, he banishes Romeo from Verona for killing Tybalt. Despite his harsh actions, Escalus ultimately has the best interests of the city in mind.