During act 3, scene 5, there are many different factors which build the tension. Romeo has now been banished from Verona after killing Tybalt, there is the fear of being caught. After the one night with Juliet, Romeo realises he must leave otherwise there is a possibility he will be found. Romeo tries to explain this to Juliet. “I must be gone and live, or stay and die.” Romeo does not want to leave but his conscience tells him that he must go. Romeo is aware of the penalty if found. Juliet does not want to believe it is dawn yet and attempts to influence Romeo in staying. “Yond light is not daylight, I know it, I: it is some meteor that the sun exhaled.” Juliet pretends that the light is from a meteor. At this moment Juliet is willing to let Romeo risk his life for a few more minutes with her. This puts pressure on Romeo, because he knows he must leave, but does not want to disappoint Juliet. He finally agrees to stay if it makes Juliet happy. “Come death, and welcome! Juliet wills it so.” Romeo is prepared to die, if it makes Juliet happy. This shows how overcome with love Romeo is for Juliet. Juliet feels guilty and understands that he must go; “It is, it is, hie hence be gone, away!” This shows how deep Juliet loves Romeo. She realises that she may never see Romeo again and is saddened by this.
Meanwhile downstairs, Juliet’s future is being settled. Capulet has decided that Juliet will marry Paris, that Thursday. One reason Capulet moved the wedding forward by two years, is to reduce the amount of stress on family members, from the death of Tybalt. This is selfish; Capulet sacrifices his daughter’s future to improve the situation in the present. Capulet who was against the marriage in the first act, has made the arrangement without Juliet, he expects her to agree. “I think she will be ruled, in all respects by me.” Capulet assumes his daughter will obey him. There are no doubts in his mind; this shows he is inconsiderate and is confident in his ability to control his daughter. The audience knows that Juliet has already married Romeo, and that she will disobey her arrogant father.
As Lady Capulet enters, Juliet bids her husband farewell. Lady Capulet swears revenge on Romeo for the death of Tybalt. “We will have vengeance for it, fear thou not.” This shows the continued hatred the family has for the Montague’s, especially Romeo. Juliet becomes tense because she is worried for her husbands life. However, Juliet is unable to share her anguish because of her mother’s vows against Romeo.
Lady Capulet swiftly moves on to the more important issue, she tells Juliet of the plans for marriage to Paris, that very Thursday. “Early next Thursday morn, the gallant, young, and noble gentlemen, the County Paris, at Saint Peter’s Church, shall happily make thee there a joyful bride.” The tension is built because Lady Capulet leaves the point about marriage to the very end of the statement. Lady Capulet is pleased that the marriage has been arranged and does not expect Juliet to refuse.
In this scene Lady Capulet and Juliet’s relationship can be commented on. At first Juliet is weeping, Lady Capulet thinks Juliet is crying over Tybalt’s death, however the audience realise she morns because Romeo has left. Lady Capulet wants Juliet to stop crying. “Much of grief shows still some want of wit.” This illustrates how Lady Capulet is not sympathetic and caring towards her daughter. One of the reasons why Juliet cannot tell her mother she has married Romeo is that Lady Capulet would not understand. This makes the situation worse for Juliet.
Lady Capulet reveals a much sinister side when she mentions that they will have vengeance over Tybalt’s death. “They shall give him such an unaccustomed dram, that he shall soon keep Tybalt company: And then I hope thou wilt be satisfied.” Lady Capulet feels that by killing Romeo, Juliet will be pleased, but the audience realise that this is not true. Juliet cannot be honest with her mother. Therefore, uses double meanings when she talks to her mother, to protect her true feelings. “Indeed I never shall be satisfied with Romeo, till I behold him-dead.” The audience has an insight into Juliet’s thoughts. They appreciate how Juliet feels.
Lady Capulet reveals news for Juliet, which will make the circumstances much worse. “Marry, my child, early next Thursday morn.” Lady Capulet thinks Lord Capulet is wise to have planned the wedding and that it will help Juliet recover from the recent death of her cousin-Tybalt. However, Juliet refuses to marry Paris. “He shall not make me there a joyful bride.” Juliet declines the proposal of marriage by her father. As Juliet cannot tell her mother that she is married to Romeo, she is unable to give a reason for the refusal. Lady Capulet is outraged from the disloyalty her daughter has shown. When Lord Capulet enters he asks if she has given Juliet the news, Lady Capulet shows her true feelings. “I would the fool were married to her grave.” Lady Capulet is furious and relates the marriage to death, hence the reference to ‘grave’. This shows that Lady Capulet has not got deep feelings for Juliet.
The relationship between Lord Capulet and Juliet in this scene is extremely tense. The language used illustrates their emotions and feelings. When Capulet first enters Juliet’s room, he seems to be gentle and fatherly towards Juliet. He is concerned that Juliet is evermore weeping for Tybalt’s death. “For still thy eyes, which I may call a sea, do ebb and flow with tears.” Capulet is sympathetic; here he obviously cares for Juliet. Capulet is cheerful. Therefore when he asks Lady Capulet about the marriage plans, he does not expect a negative response. From previous scenes Capulet is shown as a man who puts family and honour above his daughter’s happiness.
Lord Capulet is in disbelief. He does not understand why Juliet would refuse. Rather than ask Juliet her feelings on the matter, he talks of her as if she is not there. “How will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud?” Lord Capulet refers to Juliet in third person because he believes he knows best. By speaking in this way, Juliet is excluded from the conversation; she is not worthy to comment.
Juliet can never be proud of what her father has done, as she is married to Romeo. However Juliet responds to her father pleadingly. “Not proud you have, but thankful you have.” Juliet realises her father is angry, and tries to reduce the disappointment he is feeling for her, by being thankful and polite. She fears her father.
Capulet is too outraged to accept Juliet’s gratefulness. “What is this? ‘Proud’, and ‘I thank you’ and ‘I thank you not’, and yet ‘not proud’, mistress minion you?” Capulet makes Juliet feel foolish. He suggests that she talks nonsense and calls her a ‘minion’ slave. The moment Lord Capulet’s pride was threatened; he begins to treat Juliet as if she is worthless. Capulet is aggressive and self-centred. He threatens Juliet, by calling her insulting names. “Out, you green sickness carrion! Out, you baggage! You tallow-face!” Capulet thinks by using this language Juliet will agree to marriage. The audience know this is untrue. He treats her like dirt.
Rather than react abruptly, Juliet, remains calm, but still pleads for his patience. She begs for him to listen. “Good father I beseech you on my knees, hear me with patience but to speak a word.” Juliet treats her father as a master. She is on her knees, as if she were begging. Juliet respects her father and acts like a slave. Juliet tries to win him back with her humility.
Capulet does not listen to Juliet. He calls her cruel names to release the anger he is feeling. Capulet becomes so enraged he is willing to strike Juliet to get his way. “My fingers itch, wife, we scare thought us blest that God had lent us but this only child, but now I see this one is one too much.” Capulet regrets having a child. This illustrates that Capulet has not got the power to control his only daughter. Capulet shows that he is not a devoted father.
Lord Capulet is worried about his pride and reputation. “Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!” Capulet is ashamed to have a daughter who does not obey him, who does not give him what he expects - obedience and respect.
Capulet becomes enraged when the Nurse tries to defend Juliet. “Peace you mumbling fool.” Capulet will not be controlled by anyone else. He will not be advised. Capulet feels that he is the most important.
Lord Capulet feels Juliet should be proud that they have arranged the marriage. “God’s bread, it makes me mad! Day, night, work, play.” Capulet is angry because he has worked hard to achieve everything. He feels that he has not received any gratitude for this. He uses offensive language to express his thoughts and feelings about Juliet. “A wretched puling fool, a whining mammet.” Capulet treats Juliet very badly. He feels that she has committed a terrible crime, when actually she has stuck up for herself and what she has done. Lord Capulet uses insulting words to weaken Juliet.
As the scene progresses Capulet becomes evermore ruling and powerful. He tells Juliet what he wants, and what he expects. “You be mine, I’ll give you to my friend; and you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets.” Capulet believes he owns Juliet. He feels he can give her away to whom he wants. This type of arrogance can be noticed in the first act. Capulet is the supreme ruler in the family and in this society as the head of the family has the power to control everyone. Juliet’s behaviour would not be acceptable, especially as she is the daughter of a very powerful man. This makes the scene very dramatic because Juliet has betrayed her family respect.
Capulet will not break a promise - he is honourable. “I’ll not be forsworn.” He cares more about his loyalty to his friends than his daughter. After Capulet exits Juliet is amazed that no one feels any sympathy for her. She looks to her mother for help. Because Juliet is lonely and misunderstood she threatens her mother with her death. “Delay, this marriage for a month, a week. Or if you do not, make the bridal bed in that monument where Tybalt lies.” Juliet is desperate to stop the marriage. She hopes her mother will understand, however Lady Capulet refuses to help.
After Lady Capulet exits Juliet is alone with the Nurse. She seeks comfort from the Nurse. However, the Nurse urges her to marry Paris. “I think it best you married with the county.” The Nurse was the one Juliet had complete trust in, Juliet could depend on the Nurse. Now Juliet cannot trust anyone, the Nurse has betrayed Juliet. Juliet sends the Nurse away; she vows never to trust the Nurse again. She decides to go to Friar Lawrence for help. She tells herself if everything else ceases to work, she will kill herself. “If all else fails, myself have power to die.” This shows how desperate and forlorn Juliet has become. She has no one she can trust or depend on and decides instead of being forced into marriage she would rather take her life. She shows her loneliness and desolation.
Capulet is illustrated as a powerful and overbearing father who has strict principles, which must be followed. He does not tolerate disobedience and has loyalty towards his family. Capulet is cautious not to ruin his reputation, even if it means hurting family members.
Juliet is shown as a young girl who wants to break into womanhood. She is young and thrives for adventure, but due to the rules imposed by her father has not been able to. Juliet shows her fear for her father but also her determination and willingness to become an adult.
