Lord Capulet plays a significant role in shaping Juliet's future as a wife in William Shakespeare's play, Romeo and Juliet. Capulet's views on love and marriage are shaped by his social status and patriarchal position, and his expectations for Juliet are primarily driven by his desire to maintain and increase his family's social standing.
Who was Juliet's Father?
Juliet's father was Lord Capulet, a wealthy nobleman in Verona, Italy, who plays a significant role in William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet."
Lord Capulet is portrayed as a proud and hot-tempered man who is deeply concerned with upholding his family's honor and maintaining his social status. He is initially opposed to Juliet's marriage to Romeo, a member of the rival Montague family, but later agrees to the union in hopes of ending the long-standing feud between the two families.
In Act I, Scene 2, Capulet expresses his desire for Juliet to marry Paris, a wealthy and influential nobleman, saying, "But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part" (I.2.16-17). Capulet's focus on Paris's social status and wealth rather than Juliet's personal feelings or desires shows his view of marriage as a transactional arrangement rather than a matter of love.
Impact on Juliet's future
Capulet's views on love and marriage have a significant impact on Juliet's future. His insistence on Juliet marrying Paris causes her to feel trapped and helpless, leading her to take desperate measures such as seeking out Friar Lawrence's help and faking her own death.
In Act III, Scene 5, when Juliet refuses to marry Paris, Capulet threatens to disown her, saying, "But an you will not wed, I'll pardon you. Graze where you will, you shall not house with me" (III.5.201-202). Capulet's threat reveals his belief that his daughter's worth is tied to her ability to marry well and his willingness to control her choices and actions.
How did Lord Capulet react when he found out about Juliet's secret marriage to Romeo?
In the play "Romeo and Juliet," Lord Capulet initially reacts with anger and outrage when he finds out about Juliet's secret marriage to Romeo. He had arranged for Juliet to marry County Paris, a wealthy nobleman, and was angered that she had disobeyed him and married Romeo instead. Lord Capulet's anger is fueled by his pride and his belief that he has the right to control his daughter's life.
However, after some time, Lord Capulet's attitude towards the marriage begins to soften when he sees how deeply Juliet loves Romeo and how unhappy she is at the prospect of marrying Paris. He even becomes willing to call off the arranged marriage to Paris, but tragically, by that point, events have already been set in motion that lead to the tragic ending of the play.
Conclusion
Lord Capulet's views on love and marriage are shaped by his desire to maintain and increase his family's social standing, and his expectations for Juliet have a significant impact on her future.
Capulet's insistence on Juliet marrying Paris shows his view of marriage as a transactional arrangement, and his threat to disown her when she refuses reveals his willingness to control her choices and actions. Juliet's struggle to navigate her father's expectations ultimately leads to tragedy, highlighting the damaging effects of patriarchal control and societal pressures on young women.
References
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. G. Blakemore Evans. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
Bloom, Harold. "Introduction." Bloom's Shakespeare Through the Ages: Romeo and Juliet. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 2008. 1-6.
Bate, Jonathan, and Eric Rasmussen. "Introduction." The RSC Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet. London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010. 1-35.
0 Comments