Romeo & Juliet

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With specific reference to Act 1, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 5, discuss the presentation of the relationship between Lord Capulet and Juliet and explore the way an audience might respond.

Throughout the “Romeo and Juliet” play, the relationship between Lord Capulet and Juliet appears to change dramatically. First Lord Capulet presents an angry figure of short-tempered authority when Juliet refuses to obey him, but at other times speaks to her lovingly. In act 1, scene 2, they show a close relationship with love and respect, whereas, by act 3, scene 5, their relationship changes, becoming one that appears hateful and mistrustful. An audience in Shakespeare’s time would take this change as a very natural thing to have happened, and would most likely think that Lord Capulet was right to order his daughter to get married. However, a modern day audience would find this very shocking because in today’s society daughters are allowed to make their own decisions.

In Shakespeare’s time the relationship between a father and daughter was reasonable, caring and very strict. In act 1, scene 2, County Paris wants to marry Juliet, but Capulet says,

“She hath not seen the change of fourteen years.”

Suggesting she is still only a child and hasn’t yet reached puberty, this implies that Capulet is caring towards Juliet. Capulet uses imagery about plant decay and ripening, he says,

“For a crop to reach maturity, care and nourishment is needed.”

So Paris should wait for two years, this is reasonable if Juliet has not yet matured into a young woman. Fathers in Elizabethan times would also have been very strict and authoritative, however, Capulet is portrayed differently, like a modern man is. Capulet is open-minded, he says to Paris,

“But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart.”

This means Capulet is giving Paris permission to make her fall in love with him. Capulet just wants the best for Juliet and is thinking ahead.

Young girls were given hardly any personal freedom, in fact, girls were taught their only function in life was to marry and have children. Girls were raised to obey their parents without question. In Elizabethan times, people believed that it was the duty of the father to control their daughters; in the same way that husbands were expected to control and guide their wives. Capulet’s power and containment is shown well in act 3, scene 5. Capulet gets very angry with Juliet who has just told him that she does not want to marry Paris. Capulet says,

“What is this?”

The question used by Capulet shows his anger, but also his control of the situation. Capulet and Juliet’s relationship is completely different from act 1, scene 2, because before he was a devoted loving father, but in this scene he hates Juliet, so his feelings have changed from earlier. Capulet is ashamed at his daughter and keeps wondering if she’s not proud, he feels like she has disobeyed him.

A Shakespearian audience would be shocked by Capulet’s behaviour and attitude towards Juliet, and also his reaction to Paris’ request of marriage. Back in Elizabethan times when someone as rich and powerful as Paris requests to marry their daughter, normally they would agree without considering their daughters feelings and opinions. It was unusual for a woman to choose her own partner. But Capulet wanted Juliet to have a say in her future because she was his only hope and he didn’t want to loose her.

A modern day audience watching act 1, scene 2 would think Capulet was a powerful man who had charge over Juliet and everyone else, especially of Juliet as he is very protective of her. He has a very close relationship with his daughter as he is letting her decide whether she wants Paris or not. Capulet is a modern man and appears very normal to a modern day audience as he is giving Juliet a choice, Capulet quotes,  

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“An she agree within her scope of choice.”

He wants it to be up to Juliet by allowing her to agree. Capulet clearly shows the audience he wants the best for Juliet, just like any loving modern man does.

In act 1, scene 2, Paris is asking Capulet for his daughters hand in marriage. The tone of the scene is friendly but serious as Capulet is being protective of Juliet and he sounds concerned for her. Paris is happy even when he could have been angry when he says, “Younger than she are happy mothers made.”

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