like to be told what to do. This scene links with scene 5 because again Tybalt
questions his authority and he becomes very angry with him and says some very
rude, arrogant things, in his concealing conversation with him.
The other side of Capulet, which we as audience see is his caring, considerate
side. He shows us this in a variety of scenes. The first time that this side of his
character is illustrated is in Act 1 scene 1. He is willing to lose a good, kind,
considerate husband for her daughter because of her happiness. This portrays
to us that he is willing to put his daughters feelings first, although it may mean
losing an eligible husband for her daughter. This is also shown in a similar way
in Act 1 scene 5 at his ‘old accustomed feast’. In this scene he acts very warm
and hospitable towards his guests. In this scene he shows fairness towards
Romeo, although Tybalt does not agree. He shows fairness towards Romeo
because he does not want to cause a commotion at the feast that he has
organised.
The next time that we meet we are in act 3 scene 1 Capulet Shakespeare has
deliberately not allowed Capulet to speak. As the audience this is very significant
because normally Capulet takes charge in situations like this but, in this situation
he has stepped back and let his wife say what she feels.
At the beginning of act 3 scene 5 Capulet is very worried about his daughter he
used beautiful imagery he says that he’s daughters tears were like a river, her
body was like a boat and her sighs were like the wind. This is then completely
contrasted because he becomes very sarcastic, abusive and harsh, towards hi
wife, daughter and lady Capulet. The reverse in his attitude came around when
Juliet refused to get married to Paris. In Elizabethan times daughters were like
possessions and daughters were supposed to do what there parents told them
to. Capulet said some very harsh things including: -
“Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch”
This shows to us that his attitude towards his family can change very easily
depending on the situation. Then he begins to think about resorting to physical
violence and exclaims “My fingers itch” this implies that he could of hit his
daughter.
When Juliet then agrees to the marriage (under false pretences) Capulet then
admires his daughter and is put back into his element. He again is focused on in
control, organising his daughters grand wedding. His mood is again totally
reversed he says “My heart is wondrous light”, but the dramatic irony of this is
that we know that Juliet is going to appear dead so that she doesn’t have to go
through with her arranged marriage.
In the concluding scenes in the play Capulet’s behaviour and mood change from
being joyous and delighted to being in despair and shock. When Capulet Is
arranging the wedding he is full of delight and excitement. His “girl has been
reclaimed”. Again he is control of the situation, her id making the decisions and
is giving out the orders. Again he is showing his status towards his servants by
using crude language and showing them there place. Capulet’s feelings then
again changed to despair when he realised that his daughter was dead. Capulet
used elaborate imagery he exclaims that
“Death lies on her like an untimely frost
Upon the sweetest flower of all the field”
This illustrates that he’s daughter was not supposed to die. Also he says
“Ties up my tongue and will not let me speak”
this portrays what he actually felt for his daughter.
Finally Capulet shows generosity towards the Montague’s he makes the first
move to bring happiness out of all the evil that has took place. This illustrates to
us as an audience that really capulet can be very considerate and emotionalyly
when tradgic things happen. He tries to make amends with people that were
enemies and at the end of the play we realise that he doesn’t want to bear
anymore grudges against other people.
To conclude from analysing the scene I have come to the conclusion that
Capulet’s mood and behaviour changed repeatedly through the play. He can be
a kind, considerate, caring, emotionally character in some situations. But ion
other situations when he’s authority is questioned he can lose his temper and say
things that are very harsh and un -thoughtful.
