Whilst the actions of Fate are clear, the tragedy was founded by the lack of any caring support or advice from the Capulet family to Juliet.
In the case of Lady Capulet there is no maternal bond with her daughter. As an audience, we are first introduced to this idea when she is trying to discuss a marriage proposal with Juliet. The rift between the two soon becomes apparent. Because of the sensitivity of the subject Lady Capulet asks the nurse to leave the room, but almost immediately she orders her to return.
‘Nurse come back again,
I have remembered me;
Thou hear our counsel,’
This short detail in the scene highlights the fact that Lady Capulet feels uncomfortable when speaking to her daughter in private and shows the contrasting relationships that Lady Capulet and the nurse have with Juliet. Whilst the Nurse gives nothing less than total devotion to Juliet, Lady Capulet who is the girl’s natural mother shows no sign of love or affection with her daughter and displays complete alienation from her.
In contrast to his wife, Lord Capulet initially comes across as being a loving and compassionate father who cares for his daughter by looking out for her best interests. However, he does not maintain this paternal approach throughout the play, especially when he does not get his own way. Capulet’s darker side can be evidenced by his violent treatment of Juliet later in the play.
‘I would the fool were married to her grave’
This cruel remark, which originated from Juliet’s reluctant attitude to her planned wedding shows how Capulet often refuses to take into account the wishes of others.
The problem extends to those under the influence of Lord and Lady Capulet, including their servants. The Nurse, who almost single-handedly raised Juliet, is considered by the Capulets to be part of their family. But, in saying this, she is still a hired help and is expected to know her place in the social standing. This is evident in the scene where Juliet tells her father that she does not want to be married to Paris. Lord Capulet verbally attacks the Nurse when she tries to defend Juliet’s corner.
(Nurse) ‘May I not speak?’
(Capulet) ‘Peace, you mumbling fool!’
Without the Nurse able to speak her mind, Juliet is left few people to turn to, as is underlined when she later turns to her for advice on how to deal with her situation.
‘I think it best you married with the county’
This shows that although she deeply cares for Juliet, Lord Capulet’s influence prevails. The audience is left to wonder if Juliet had had the Nurse to consult, the tragic end might have been avoided
So far, the influence of Fate has been recognised and with that, a failure of the Capulet’s to support and care for Juliet has created the environment for Juliet to choose a bizarre and dangerous solution. The Capulets are mainly guilty of neglecting their daughter; there are many examples of Lord Capulet’s behaviour, which made the impending tragedy more likely.
Lord Capulet is seen to be uncompromising and expecting of blind allegiance from those around him. For example at the party, which is held at the Capulet residence. Tybalt sees Romeo and wants to make a scene but Capulet stops him.
(Tybalt) ‘I will not endure him.
(Capulet) He shall be endured…Am I master here?’
Although Romeo being at the party was seen by Tybalt as a blatant threat, Capulet was not prepared to have his night ruined by his nephew’s fiery temperament. Tybalt is clearly insulted by the fact that Capulet undermined him, but he would never disobey his uncle. However, Capulet’s demeaning treatment of Tybalt only heightened the young man’s determination to punish Romeo.
‘I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall,
Now seeming sweet, convert to bitterest of gall.’
Tybalt’s need to resolve the ‘threat’ resulted in the death of Mercutio, causing Romeo to take revenge and from this leading to his exile.
Romeo and Juliet must also share some responsibility with the Capulet family for the play’s outcome. Romeo and Juliet were completely aware of the feud that existed between their families and despite this kept to their own agenda without thought as to how others may react. Shakespeare highlighted how a sense of urgency amongst the younger players gave rise to many ill-considered and rash decisions. Originally, Capulet had agreed with Paris, the character betrothed to marry Juliet, that he would not allow a marriage until his daughter was at least a year older.
‘Let two more summers wither in their pride
Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride’
This is a good example of the love which Capulet shows for his daughter, he has recognised that she is not ready to marry and Paris acknowledges Capulet’s right to refuse the proposal. With the death of Tybalt this date was brought forward, meaning that the time the two lovers had together before Juliet had to marry was short. Had Romeo and Juliet been given more time then they may have been able to reach a compromise with the families, and achieved a more positive outcome.
Another factor, which contributed to the tragedy, was purely the power of love. Romeo and Juliet may have acted without thinking, but they did not act without feeling. The fact that they were prepared to put so much on the line to be with each other shows how desperately in love they were. When Romeo is first introduced he is deeply infatuated with a girl called Rosaline, who we are never introduced to, but plays an important contrasting role to Juliet. The sexual craving that Romeo has for Rosaline is nothing when compared to the uncompromising love, which he offers to Juliet.
Romeo provides evidence of his much deeper love for Juliet by his use of language. When he is lusting over Rosaline he uses oxymoron’s to express his conflicting emotions in which the love is tinged with a form of hatred, for example, ‘O brawling love, O loving hate.’ Expressions of love for Juliet are much less confronted. ‘It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.’ He does not need to long for Juliet’s love, which he in believes totally.
Responsibility for the final tragedy in Romeo and Juliet rests with Fate. However, the audience is left uncertain as to how the actions and motivations of the players may potentially have influenced the ending. It is arguable that the Capulets are merely the tools by which the inevitability of Fate is achieved and so their behaviours are pre-determined. This means that their alienation towards Juliet not only created a background in which she could make self-threatening decisions more easily but also the Capulets may not have had the freedom of choice to behave differently. Fate was in control.
Analysis of the direct contributions by the Capulets to the tragedy also suggests that they may have had little choice in their behaviours. Much of Lord Capulet’s attitude to Romeo came from years of hostility between the families. The greatest irony of the play is how the two families would find a bond and cease the hostilities through the tragedy.
In conclusion, Fate was primarily responsible for the tragedy. Even if Lord and Lady Capulet had the freedom and the will to behave differently the audience is left to believe that a change in such behaviour would not affect the outcome. However, if the Capulet’s were indeed ‘tools of Fate’ they would not have been ultimately and personally responsible for the events.
Mike Sims.
Year 11 English Coursework.
