Family and Marriage Flashcards
Context and Themes
True or False? Rich people often married for Power or money instead of love in the 16th century.
True. Marriage was often organised by a couple’s parents like a business deal.
Give one reason why Lady Capulet thinks Juliet should marry Paris.
Lady Capulet says that “Verona’s summer hath not such a flower” as Paris. She thinks that Paris is the most eligible suitor in Versona.
Give one way Shakespeare makes the Capulet household seem busy when they are preparing for Juliet’s wedding.
In Act 4, Scene 4, many members of the Capulet family and their servants enter and exit the stage within a short space of time. This creates the impression that they are bustling around to prepare for the wedding.
Explain how Paris’s approach to wooing Juliet is different to Romeo’s.
Paris approaches Capulet to get his permission to marry Juliet, whereas Romeo speaks to Juliet directly. Paris is also more patient than Romeo — after Tybalt’s death he says that “times of woe afford no time to woo”, suggesting that he is prepared to wait for the Capulets to stop grieving before marrying Juliet. Romeo is less patient when he falls in love with Juliet — he doesn’t want to wait and marries her as quickly as possible.
Why do you think Capulet is so angry when Juliet refuses to marry Paris?
How does his reaction reflect the play’s context?
Capulet could be angry because he sees Juliet as his property, so he thinks she should do exactly as he says. His reaction reflects the fact that men were considered to be in charge of the family, while daughters didn’t get a choice about who they married. She is also his only heir, so he has taken “care” to “have her matched” with someone suitable — he might be upset that Juliet does not appreciate his efforts.
Which of these characters is related to Lord Capulet?
A. Benvolio
B. Rosaline
C. Mercutio
D. the Prince
B. On his party invitation, Capulet lists Rosaline as his “fair niece”.
Give an example where Lady Capulet follows the will of her husband.
Lady Capulet refuses to talk to Juliet after Capulet says he will disown Juliet if she doesn’t marry Paris. She says she’ll “not speak a word” to Juliet.
How does Juliet’s position in her family and in society restrict her freedom?
Juliet is young, unmarried and the daughter of a rich and powerful man, which means that she can’t be in public on her own or leave the house without permission. The only place she is allowed to go by herself is to confession with Friar Lawrence.
Explain how Tybalt’s death causes Juliet to chose between her family and her husband.
Because Romeo killed Tybalt, Juliet has to decide whether to blame him for killing her cousin or blame Tybalt for starting the fight. The Nurse asks why she is speaking “well of” the person who killed Tybalt, but Juliet replies that she should not “speak ill of” her husband. This shows that she has chosen Romeo over Tybalt and the rest of her family.
Do you think family ties are important to Romeo?
Give reasons for your answer.
Some of Romeo’s family seem to be important to him — he has a close relationship with his cousin, Benvolio, calling him “my coz” and sharing his troubles with him in Act 1, Scene 1. However, he is willing to reject his family name if it means that Juliet will accept his love. In Act 2, Scene 2, he says that if she calls him “love” he “never will be Romeo” again. This suggests he considers his family ties to be less important than his love for Juliet.
