Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the characters of Lord Capulet and Juliet and the way he dramatises their relationship
Romeo and Juliet
Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the characters of Lord Capulet and Juliet and the way he dramatises their relationship.
In Romeo and Juliet, the characters of both Juliet and her father, Lord Capulet, and their relationship is very much affected by not only the way in which each character conducts themselves, but also by prominent views of the public, such as the role of women in society and patriarchy. Through their relationship, Shakespeare explores many emotions, and allows himself to develop and change their relationship throughout the play. It can also be seen that their relationship changes as a result of many personality changes within both father and daughter.
At first, it can be seen that Lord Capulet is quite a warm father figure, protective of Juliet and considerate of her feelings. In Act 1, Scene 2, Paris makes his desire to marry Juliet known to Lord Capulet. To Paris's request, Capulet replies "Let two more summers wither in their pride/ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride." From Capulet's reply, it can be seen that Capulet feels Juliet is too young to marry. This shows the audience Capulet's sense of fatherly love and protectiveness towards Juliet, as he wants Juliet to stay his, even though "Younger than she are happy mothers made." This is Paris's response to Capulet's remark, which shows his determination to win over Lord Capulet, thus winning Juliet. Capulet, however, remains adamant that he cannot agree for Juliet to marry Paris, as he says that it is not entirely up to him. He also wants to make sure that Paris's love for Juliet is strong. Capulet even encourages Paris to look at other girls at his party that night, which shows that he does not even try to "save" Paris for Juliet, once she decides on her marriage.
This feeling of Juliet's freedom of choice that is presented by Capulet, is dramatically changed as the play goes on, and in Act 3, Scene 5, we see how Capulet displays an emotion much closer to patriarchy rather than freedom of choice for his offspring. Capulet leaves it to his wife, Lady Capulet, to tell Juliet that she is now betrothed to Paris, and when he joins the party of Juliet, Lady Capulet and the nurse, his feelings about Juliet disobeying him are clearly shown: "mistress minion, you". Capulet even goes as far as to almost disown Juliet, his only daughter, for not marrying Paris, which is a great contrast to giving her freedom of choice. "Get thee to church o' Thursday/ Or never after look me in the face". This shows how threatened Capulet feels when his daughter does not obey him, as he is no longer in charge of everyone in the family. It can be seen that patriarchy was very important to Capulet, it does not seem right to him that his daughter should disobey him in such a way.
This change of character is not only seen in Lord Capulet, but also in Juliet, as her relationship with Romeo intensifies. When Juliet is first told of Paris's noble intentions in Act 1, Scene 3, she confesses that she had not before even thought of marriage, but agrees to consider it, and even agrees not to go any further than her parents want her to. "But no more deep will I endart mine eye / Than your consent gives strength to make it fly." From Juliet's response, the audience can see that Juliet has a clear role of the dutiful daughter in the household, and is willing to consider anything that her parents want her to; however, as Juliet meets Romeo and falls in love, her passion for Romeo takes over her passion to please her family.
As a result of her relationship with Romeo, Juliet later refuses to marry the County Paris, against the wishes of her father. "He [Paris] shall not make me...a joyful bride!" This is very different to the way in which Juliet reacted before she met Romeo. Shakespeare writes the play as if to show that love strengthened Juliet against her father, and that Romeo gave her the power to confront her parents. The fact that the obedient Juliet told her parents that she did not want to marry Paris, displays passion and determination in her character. She is so ...
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As a result of her relationship with Romeo, Juliet later refuses to marry the County Paris, against the wishes of her father. "He [Paris] shall not make me...a joyful bride!" This is very different to the way in which Juliet reacted before she met Romeo. Shakespeare writes the play as if to show that love strengthened Juliet against her father, and that Romeo gave her the power to confront her parents. The fact that the obedient Juliet told her parents that she did not want to marry Paris, displays passion and determination in her character. She is so eager to keep Romeo her one and only husband, and this fervour can be seen in both Juliet and her father.
Lord Capulet is exceedingly passionate about his wishes for Juliet, as he wants her to marry the best, Paris, and is also determined to make Juliet see things his way. "I'll ne'er acknowledge thee [if you do not marry Paris]" - Act 3, Scene 5. Capulet promises extreme ways to try to convince Juliet to marry Paris, and is no longer concerned about her opinion. Although both passionate characters, Juliet and Capulet act differently about their desires, so it is hard to see a similarity of character between Juliet and Capulet. The passion felt by Juliet is one of love for a husband, a passion that is almost unbreakable: "Romeo's name speaks heavenly eloquence." - Act 3, Scene 2. Juliet wishes not to cause harm or dismay by her desire, but to herself, Romeo is whom she lives for.
This is highly contrasting to the passion that is felt by Lord Capulet, as his passion is one of wanting his wishes and commands obeyed. "How! Will she [Juliet] none?" - Act 3, Scene 5. Capulet's want is not as delicate and innocent as Juliet's, but selfish and controlling. Lord Capulet, unlike Juliet, does act the way he does purposely, and is not overcome by his love for a person that everything else seems obsolete. This displays to the audience that while it could be seen that the couple have a slight likeness, Juliet is more caring than her father.
Both Juliet and her father act differently when around each other, and this can be seen by the way that both characters act when around other characters. For example, in Act 1, Scene 5, Capulet allows Romeo, a Montague, to stay at his party, even though his nephew, Tybalt, is so desperate for Romeo to leave: "Let him [Romeo] alone." This scene shows the audience that Capulet is a kind and just man, which allows the audience to warm to him. He could, however, also be concerned about his reputation, and does not want to cause a scene at his party. Capulet's actions in this scene however, regardless of their reasons, emphasise Act 1, Scene 2, when Capulet rejects Paris's request to marry Juliet: "My child is yet a stranger in the world." Capulet's response displays his love for Juliet and his consideration of her feelings. By this time, the audience have a good opinion on Capulet. From what has been portrayed so far, the audience see Capulet as a kind, welcoming man who is concerned and protective of his daughter.
When Capulet agrees for Juliet to marry Paris, we see that he does actually feel that he controls what his family do. His actions are slightly forgiven by the audience, however, when Juliet tells her father that she will marry Paris. "I am glad on't" is Capulet's reaction to the good news, and when the audience see his happiness, it can be seen that Capulet's actions were out of love for his daughter, as he wants only the best for her.
The differences in Juliet's actions when with different characters can also be seen, mostly by comparing Juliet's relationships between her father and Romeo. In Act 1, Scene 3, we see that Juliet is the perfect daughter, loving and obedient. When she meets Romeo in Act 1, Scene 5, it can be seen that Juliet is at first unsure about Romeo, as she feels she is sinning, but later gives in to his kiss. Throughout her encounter with Romeo, Juliet seems to act quite flirtatiously as both Romeo and Juliet use religious metaphors. "My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand / To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss." The religious symbolism used by both Romeo and Juliet is significant in the way that Juliet feels she is sinning, but Romeo explains that what they are doing is good by using the metaphors. At this point in the play, Juliet grows up significantly, as she understands the relationship between the Montagues and the Capulets as well as marriage. This can be seen by the way she reacts when she discovers that the boy she kissed was Romeo, a Montague: "My only love sprung from my only hate!" Juliet, here still a child who wishes to obey her father, is torn between her role in her family, and her feelings towards Romeo.
From both this scene and Act 2, Scene 2, it can be seen that Juliet is not only a child as she previously thought, but an adolescent on her way to womanhood. She feels love for Romeo on a level higher than platonic love, and is a sensitive and fast growing-up youth. In Act 2, Scene 6, the audience are again shown the strides Juliet makes in growing up as she anticipates marriage, and does finally marry Romeo.
Juliet also realises that she can make amends with her father if she tells him she will marry Paris. She knows that when she drinks the potion, she will not be able to marry Paris, but ended her relationship with her father on good terms.
To create more dramatic tension, Shakespeare purposely contrasts the romantic, delicate scenes with Romeo against the scenes with Lord Capulet. By juxtaposing the controlling Lord Capulet with the loving Romeo, especially in Act 3, Scene 5, the audience are not only able to see two different sides to Juliet, but are able to see how complicated her life is and how emotional it must be for such a young girl to have to live with so many lies and family issues. This scene also allows the audience to see the differences in the ways that Juliet is treated by her husband and by her father. Capulet's extreme reaction gives Juliet no choice and the audience sympathise with her plight.
Contrast in Romeo and Juliet is not only used to show differences between different characters, but also to show the differences between a character at one point in the play, compared to another point in the play. Lord Capulet is a great example of this, as in Act 1, Scene 2, he is very protective of his young daughter and wishes for her not to marry the County Paris unless she consents to it. This is very different to his reaction in Act 3, Scene 5, when he hears Juliet's answer, and his earlier views make this later reaction much more of a contrast and quite a shock to the audience.
The scene that mainly illustrates the relationship between Juliet and Capulet, Act 3, Scene 5, is written with many dramatic techniques, and Shakespeare deliberately manipulates the audience's emotions towards young Juliet. When Lord Capulet is furious at Juliet, her calls her a great amount of insults including: "Disobedient wretch!" "Whining mammet", "Mistress minion", "green-sickness carrion" and "tallow-face". Shakespeare uses a series of short insults to convey Capulet's emotions, as these are snappy and keep the audience entertained and shocked at the rudeness of Capulet, as this is extremely different to his actions in Act 1, scene 2.
At first, when Capulet is confused and angry with Juliet, a series of rhetorical questions are used e.g. "What is this?" This later turns to pure insults and then to Capulet saying how he had found Juliet the perfect man, and she turned him down. Shakespeare almost makes Capulet discuss his own merits to show how Capulet feels Juliet had let him down. E.g. "doth she not give us thanks? / Is she not proud? Doth she not count her blest...?" Capulet tries to make Juliet feel guilty that she has not agreed to marry the chosen bridegroom, and that she has gone against her father's wishes. This is partially effective, as Juliet definitely is distressed by her father's behaviour, but her love for Romeo has grown too strong to affect her decision.
Shakespeare also makes the audience feel sorry for Juliet, and illustrates how alone she is, subtracting Romeo. He does this by first making Capulet exit from the scene, leaving Juliet without a father. Then when Juliet goes to her mother, the audience sees that Lady Capulet sides with Juliet's father by seeing her response "Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word." This shows how Lady Capulet feels that she must play the role of the supporting wife in the family as although she can see that Capulet is being very harsh towards Juliet, she decides not to try and help Juliet, but to agree with Lord Capulet. This also suggests that after the episode between Juliet and Capulet, Lady Capulet feels scared and intimidated by her husband.
Once, Juliet's parents are gone, Juliet is left with her nurse, who is not unlike a mother to her. When Juliet turns to her nurse for comfort, however, she discovers that her nurse too is against her "I think it best you married with the County." From her nurse's response, Juliet is thoroughly disheartened, and even "curses" the nurse for not siding with her. The nurse then exits, leaving Juliet by herself. By leaving Juliet physically by herself at this point in the play, Shakespeare emphasises that Juliet is also alone in what she thinks and feels. This abandonment by those she loves means that the audience feel sorry for Juliet and pity her for her plight.
When Juliet is left alone, she doesn't know what to do, as she is only young herself, she decides to go to Romeo's friend, the Friar Laurence, where she meets Paris. In this scene, Act 4, Scene 1, Juliet has a conversation with the County Paris and Friar Laurence about marriage. Shakespeare cleverly fills the conversation with double meanings so that the County Paris thinks that Juliet is talking about him, when really she is talking about Romeo. Dramatic irony allows the audience to understand the double meanings as the audience know about Juliet's marriage to Romeo. Juliet then discusses her options with the Friar, and decides on faking her own death.
This scene shows that Juliet is a very brave and strong girl, and Shakespeare tries to make the audience see this and admire her for it. Juliet's determination and willpower to be reunited with her husband is shown best in Act 4, Scene 3, when Juliet says her soliloquy when deciding whether or not she should drink from the vial. To show Juliet's confusion, Shakespeare uses lots of powerful imagery to show what Juliet is thinking and feeling, such as "Where bloody Tybalt, yet green in earth, lies festering in his shroud." Sentences such as these show how scared Juliet is, and her soliloquy even shows that she suspects the friar of trying to kill her. It is in the end when she thinks of meeting Romeo again that she drinks the contents of the vial "Romeo, Romeo, Romeo! Here's drink - I drink to thee!"
Shakespeare displays Juliet's sheer bravery, and her willpower is meant to make the audience respect Juliet's character. This respect would have been increased in Shakespearean times, as when the play was written, Juliet was not the typical heroine. She didn't do everything her father told her to, and although she had respect for him, she did not allow him to control her actions.
Lord Capulet's final scene is Act 5, Scene 3, when the bodies of Paris, Romeo and Juliet are found. When Lord Capulet finds out the story of Romeo and his daughter, he automatically regrets his actions and the way in which he treated his family and enemies. When the Prince tells both Montague and Capulet of their children's tale, Capulet is the first man to apologise and offer Montague friendship. This shows that although Capulet did treat Juliet unfairly, he was a loving father, and as soon as he recognised his mistakes, he tried to correct them.
However, this reaction is quite atypical of Lord Capulet, as it seems that he is finally giving into Juliet and accepting that her love for Romeo was bigger than his desire for her to marry Paris. Capulet also realises (too late) that Juliet was not as meek and timid as he assumed, as she did not cave in to his demands, but went her own way, showing that she was in fact a strong independent woman. The fact that it is Capulet that gives in creates a whole new angle in Juliet's relationship with her father, which is a great shock and helps to dramatize it. This is surprising to the audience.
One might think that Capulet would react angrily and blame Montague for the death of Juliet, and for allowing Romeo and Juliet's love to blossom. Although he does give in to Juliet at the end of the play, Capulet still speaks to Montague in business-like terms when agreeing to end the feud. "This is my daughter's jointure," is Capulet's reaction to the fateful news from the Prince. Although he is offering his friendship to Montague, and not money, it seems like he is making a business deal with Capulet, even after all the woe that both their families have seen.
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare develops a relationship between the characters of Juliet and Lord Capulet which changes fervently during the play. At times, it seems as though the character of Lord Capulet can be quite selfish, and Juliet develops significantly as the play goes on. The changing relationship between father and daughter varies dramatically, yet we still see Lord Capulet maintaining a fatherly role throughout the play. This paternal role is completely restored when Capulet offers to make amends, and although he and Juliet have their differences, there is still a rapport between them.
English Coursework Sadia Sapsard 10B.2
Romeo and Juliet Ms Vowles
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