Is it very important for a modern audience, who wish to get a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s scenes and characters, to understand the society of Romeo and Juliet. Otherwise, unwillingly, the audience may unfairly judge a character.
They may see a character’s actions as unreasonable, as they would be considered in a modern society, when in fact they may have been perfectly reasonable in Shakespearean times. Thus, it is important to take these social differences into account – especially as the light in which Lord Capulet is seen throughout the play could dramatically change.
Juliet’s father Lord Capulet is portrayed early on in the play as a reasonable man who cares about his family and reputation.
In Act 1 Scene 2, Paris asks Lord Capulet for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Whilst knowing that Paris would make a fine and credible husband, he still postpones his decision for his daughter. He says to Paris, “My child is yet a stranger in this world, she hath not seen the change of fourteen years.” Afterwards, he agrees to let Paris marry her in two more seasons but only if she consents. This shows Lord Capulet is a reasonable man, as many fathers in the same position would give their daughters no choice in the matter. Lord Capulet also makes Paris consider that she is only 13 years old, and reminds him that often wives that young end in ‘marred’ marriages. Lord Capulet also invites Paris to his party that night where he says he may meet another lady fit for marriage.
In Act 1 Scene 2 Shakespeare also gives us an idea of how beloved Juliet is to Lord Capulet as he says, “she’s the hopeful lady of my Earth.” This statement shows that he cares for Juliet far more than anyone else, including his wife.
In Act 1 Scene 5 Tybalt discovers that Romeo has attended the Capulet’s party without invitation. On hearing his voice he sends his page to fetch his sword. However, Lord Capulet sees his anger and tells him not to pick a fight with Romeo, as he believes him a “portly gentlemen” whom Verona brags as a “virtuous and well-governed youth.” Even though Tybalt says he will not endure him, Capulet tells him to leave Romeo as he is not causing trouble and picking a fight with him could cause a riot at the party.
Once again, Shakespeare has shown the audience that Lord Capulet is a tolerant and reasonable character; even towards a Montague whom his relatives consider an enemy – even though it meant taking Romeo’s side instead of Tybalt’s.
However, later in the story Capulet could be seen to change from a good natured, protective father to a volatile, impulsive and fierce man.
In Act 3 Scene 5 Lord Capulet learns that Juliet does not wish to marry Paris and he turns on her, possibly using physical violence or at least threatening he would.
Capulet enters Juliet’s room, thinking she is depressed about Tybalt’s death and tries to relieve her depression by announcing that she is to marry Paris, which he expects her to take as a sort of treat. He is extremely surprised when she begins shouting at him and refusing blindly, as if deeply offended by the whole marriage.
He insults her by calling her a “green-sickness carrion,” “young baggage,” “tallow-face,” “disobedient wretch,” “whining mammet,” and a “wretched puling fool.” This kind of verbal abuse would be reacted to in a very different way in a modern Western society – but in a Shakespearian society, especially in Capulet’s situation, this form of punishment would have been completely acceptable. He later says, “my fingers itch!” – meaning perhaps that he is holding back from hitting her.
Because Capulet knows nothing about Juliet’s relationship with Romeo (especially that they are married) he perceives Juliet’s reactions as simply ungrateful. He expected to go into her room, tell her the news about Paris, and for Juliet to simply stop crying. Her refusal surprises Capulet so much that he perhaps over reacts to the conversation.
It is important for a modern audience to understand that Lord Capulet is reacting in an acceptable way complying with the standards of his society. As previously mentioned, the man of the household would have full control over his daughter, and such a determined refusal to follow an instruction would have been almost unheard of in Shakespearian times. While this does not directly justify Capulet’s violence, it does explain his behaviour.
To conclude, I believe that a modern audience should not judge Capulet too harshly for his rage against Juliet, as he shows reasonable behaviour at earlier points in the play. An understanding of cultural and historical context would help a modern audience understand firstly how reasonable Capulet was at the beginning of the play, but also how his violence towards Juliet could be acceptable under the circumstances – if anything, he under reacted by what would have been expected.
