English Coursework
Romeo and Juliet
By Gurdip Bening
Title: How does Shakespeare present the characters of Lord Capulet and Juliet to the audience? Comment on character, action and language.
When we first see Juliet in Act 1, Scene 3, we see her as a typical girl from the Elizabethan Period. Shakespeare shows her to be young hearted, naive and an obedient girl who would never think twice of disobeying her parents. So in Act 1, Scene 3, when her mother mentions Paris' interest in a marrying Juliet, she responds saying that she will try to love him for her mother's sake, 'I'll look to like, if looking liking move, But no more deep will I endart mine eye, Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.'
I think that when Romeo comes into Juliet's life she changes drastically. This is shown when she ignores her previous marriage arrangements made by her parents and tells the nurse to see Romeo for the marriage arrangements. When the nurse returns with the news and does not give Juliet the information straight away, Juliet gets annoyed and shows a lack of patient with the Nurse, 'Here's such a coil. Come, what says Romeo.' I think this comes across as a shock to the Elizabethan audience because in the Elizabethan period, women were subordinate to men. This means they had no control over their life, so when Juliet was arranging her marriage with Romeo behind her fathers back she was breaking this tradition.
In Act 3, Scene 5, Juliet is told that her marriage to Paris was organized to take place in a couple of days and she is asked to prepare for the marriage, but this time, her reactions are very different. From the innocent, well-behaved daughter of Capulet, she disagrees and shouts back at her mother; 'He shall not make me there a joyful bride.'
Shakespeare also uses the effect of irony, 'I will not marry yet, and when I do, I swear
It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,' this shows that she is being a little manipulative and saying that she doesn't want to marry Paris at all, and she would rather marry Romeo. Her mother would interpret this as she does not like Paris, but the audience know that she is saying this because she loves Romeo and wants to be with him. Also when her father's anger increases she falls to the floor and begs to him, 'Good father, I beseech you on my knees, this shows that she still respects her father. Religion also ...
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It shall be Romeo, whom you know I hate,' this shows that she is being a little manipulative and saying that she doesn't want to marry Paris at all, and she would rather marry Romeo. Her mother would interpret this as she does not like Paris, but the audience know that she is saying this because she loves Romeo and wants to be with him. Also when her father's anger increases she falls to the floor and begs to him, 'Good father, I beseech you on my knees, this shows that she still respects her father. Religion also influences her decision. Instead of Juliet thinking that she will be punished by the law for bigamy if she marries Paris, she thinks she will be punished by God and go to hell. Whereas, today it would be different because less people believe in God.
Parent relationships at that time are shown to be very formal. Juliet calls her mother, 'madam,' which shows they do not have a very close relationship. Juliet has a closer relationship with the Capulet Nurse, and feels she can talk to her more.
At the start of the play i think that Shakespeare presents Juliet as a good girl because then her change of character is visible towards the audience since Romeo has come into her life. I feel that Shakespeare has showed us her character change very effectively because we can see how strong Romeo and Juliet's relationship was and how she could do anything to be with him.
When Lord Capulet is first introduced into the play we see him as a loving father who cares very deeply about his Daughter. We can see from Act 1, Scene 2 that Capulet is very protective of his daughter, 'My child is yet a stranger to this world,' and whilst he does want her to marry a fine man he doesn't want her to marry someone she is not happy with, 'My will for her consent is but a part,' this shows that Capulet values Juliet's opinion. We quickly see another side of him in Act 1, Scene 5. When Tybalt notices Romeo gate crashing at the party, Lord Capulet tells him to leave Romeo.
When Tybalt tries to disagree, Lord Capulet's character changes significantly to someone who is very controlling, 'Be quiet...or I'll make you quiet,' this suggests that Capulet can lose his temper if what he says is not done.
In Act 3, Scene 5 we see the side of Lord Capulet which was seen in Act 1, Scene 5. When Capulet first enters he seems to be in a fine mood, but this quickly changes when he hears the response from Juliet. Capulet shows his anger in Juliet's decision and says that she should be proud of her father's decision and think herself as blessed. This shows the audience that Juliet and her father's relationship is starting to break. Lord Capulet also says that Paris is, 'so worthy a gentleman,' but that she is, 'unworthy.' This suggests that he has a stronger relationship with Paris. This also shows the audience how much he really cares and values his daughter. Capulet also starts to verbally abuse Juliet and is on the verge of hitting Juliet, 'My fingers Itch,' this suggests that he is struggling to restrain himself. Juliet then pleads with her father; this is a dramatic gesture showing the audience that she is putting herself beneath her father. It is here when Lord Capulet gets out of control and makes references to killing her, 'Hang thee, young baggage!' Shakespeare also shows Capulet to be very demanding,' to go with Paris.....Or I will drag thee on a hurdle.' This implies that with or without Juliet's consent she will be married to Paris. He also goes as far as saying that it is a curse in having, this is very shocking towards the audience as in Act 1, Scene 2 he says he wants what is best for Juliet as all his other children have passed away. The way Shakespeare has made Capulet's mood change like this makes him seem more dangerous and this makes the audience empathise with Juliet.
In Juliet's speech Shakespeare has made the punctuation drag out the long sentences and this has made it more commanding. Her speech also starts with an iambic pentameter, but then goes back to normal at the end. This can be interoperated that Capulet is getting angrier in his determination to have power over his daughter.
Shakespeare has also used asyndetic listing, 'Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play,' he has done this so the list appears longer and more interesting.
I think that Shakespeare was successful in creating tension in Act 3, Scene 5. There is already tension when Romeo quickly escapes without Lady Capulet catching him. The tension then increases when Juliet refuses to marry Paris and Lord Capulet starts
shouting abuse at Juliet. The tension then drops when Juliet is left with nurse and pleads for help. Then again it rises as she considers the thought of suicide.
In Act 4, Scene 2, Capulet's actions and language towards Juliet has changed tremendously; this is because she has agreed to marry Paris and therefore he has got his own way. In this scene Capulet also offers to be the housewife, 'I'll play the housewife for this once,' this suggests that he wants everything to be done the way he has decided it to be and wants it to be perfect. This could also imply that he is delighted over the fact that Juliet has agreed the marriage proposal. I think that the audience's reaction to his change was not very shocking. This is because they had already seen a very big change from Act 1, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 5.
I think that the Relationship between Juliet and Lord Capulet would be seen as very shocking in the Elizabethan Society, also known as the patriarchal society. This was a society which was governed by men. Women were classed as subordinate to men do had very little power or influence. Daughters were considered to be possessions of their father's. This is why Juliet arguing with her father was not traditional, but was shocking that a woman was arguing back to a man. Children were expected to obey orders from their elders. In the Elizabethan Times parents and children had very formal relationships. Children were to obey. The idea of suicide would also have been more shocking as not many women took heir lives, but the only option for a woman who wanted to control her life was suicide. I also think that the idea of Lord Capulet arranging Juliet's marriage would be customary, but the 21st century audience may find it shocking that Juliet's marriage was at such a young age and that it was arranged. In my culture arranged marriages are common so I did not find it unusual that a father was arranging his daughter's marriage.
I think that this play still appeals to the modern audience. This is because nowadays not many marriages are arranged, so people have more freedom. I feel that back then if you had a love marriage or did anything against you parents wishes it would be classed as wrong. Whereas today it is different, children talk back to their parents more and go against their parents wishes. I also feel the audience would feel shocked at how Lord Capulet was speaking to Juliet in Act 3, Scene 5, when she refused to marry Paris. Many of the plays themes - forbidden love, lust and rebellion against one's parents still attract audiences today. This I believe makes Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most successful plays because it is a timeless classic, which can be enjoyed by all audiences.