Capulet Flashcards
Introduction
Shakespeare uses Capulet as a vehicle to expose the rash and irrational leaders lead by toxic masculinity within Verona, whereby Capulet priorities his social advancement over his own daughters happiness and well-being. His decisions are powered by his pride and ego, which inevitably leads to the tragic loss of his daughter. Through this Shakespeare is able to criticise the lack of positive role models within Verona.
Fetch me my long sword, ho!
Capulets instinctual reaction is violence. He doesn’t know what the situation is, or where the noise is coming from but he instantly wants to join them. This implies that the feud is farcical as even the old men are partaking in this brawl. Shakespeare does this to highlight how quickly violence spreads ultimately infiltrating every aspect of society.
My child is yet a stranger to the world
The use of this metaphor emphasises how distant Juliet is from the feud and the outside world. We also find that Capulet is being protective of Juliet and wants her to grow as he believes that she is still young and immature for marriage, showing the love that Capulet had for his daughter.
She is the hopeful lady of my earth
Juliet is the only child of Lord Capulet so she is precious to him and he wishes to marry her off to someone of good status and class to continue his line of family. The use of this metaphor reflects the subordinate position of women in a patriarchal society, and particularly the traditional views that daughters were a commodity and could be used to forge useful alliances.
My will to her consent is but a part.
This quotation shows that Capulet cares about Juliets opinions and feelings, as he directly links his consent with hers through the use of rhyming couplets to exaggerate this. The rhyming couplet puts emphasis on the words ‘choice’ and ‘voice’. The ‘voice’ that he refers to his own, rather than Juliets suggesting that she only has a voice through him as a father. Although Lord Capulet is a good father and cares about his daughters opinions, he doesn’t let Juliet have a voice of her own where she expresses options which differ from his. Reflecting the little autonomy women have over their own lives.
To be a virtuous and well-governed youth
To be a virtuous and well-governed youth Despite Romeo being a part of the enemy Capulet still acknowledges that Romeo is held in high esteem socially, emphasising the Futility of the conflict between the two houses as they loath each other for no meaningful reason making the entire feud farcical. The adjective ‘virtuous’ is quite ironic as the Capulet’s usually describe the Montagues using derogatory language like ‘hartless hinds’, however now we find that capulet recognises the status of Romeo and calls him ‘virtuous’, this emphasises the futility of the conflict as they only hate Romeo because of his Family name.
hang! beg! starve! die in the streets!
the ultimatum to obey or ‘hang, beg, starve, die in the streets.’ This asyndetic list emphasises the bleak lack of options available to women who challenged male authority and attempted to take control of their own destinies within a patriarchal society. through this Shakespeare is able to criticise the toxic masculinity and patriarchal society within Verona, whereby limitations are placed on women giving them little autonomy over their own lives or future
Decree
Juxtaposes earlier on in the play when he says “my will to her consent is but a part”. He implies that Juliet’s marriage is no longer a discussion but is instead a law, emphasising the little autonomy juliet has on her life.
“How will she none? Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud”
The series of rhetorical questions emphasises his frustration as he is used to his daughter being submissive to him.
“I will drag thee”
This emphasises that Capulet will be willing to go to extreme lengths for his reputation, and has he regard for his daughters freedom or happiness.
“Out you baggage”
The noun “baggage” implies that Capulet sees her as an excess worthless object for disposal as he sees Juliet as a burden. Repetition further emphasises his frustration
Speak not, reply not, do not answer me
The use of the synonymous tricolour emphasises his embarrassment towards Juliet as he silences her, which implies how strong his anger is
My fingers itch
The use of the passive construction implies that this feeling is something that he can’t control, and he has an irrepressible desire to hurt her which he is having to fight off and restrain himself from
Hang! Beg! Starve! Die in the streets!
The use of the asyndetic list emphasises how little empathy he feels towards Juliet that he is willing to disown her in that instant, if she does not submit to his will. Through this Shakespeare us bake to criticise the toxic and patriarchal society within Verona, whereby limitations are placed on women giving them little autonomy over their own lives or future.
Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower in all the field
Capulet uses a euphuism as he finally realises the value of his daughter but unfortunately it is too late. The simile implies that something beautiful has been ruined by death, like how frost kills a flower, which exemplifies the tragedy of loss of the young life. The use of the superlative ‘sweetest’ shows Capulets love for Juliet as he sees her as irreplaceable.
