Lord Capulet Flashcards
3 Adjectives
Protective
Controlling
Seemingly remorseful
Overview Paragraph
Shakespeare uses the character of Lord Capulet as a vehicle to bring attention to the ignorance of the older generation and their inability to be entirely mindful of the younger generation and their needs. Initially, Lord Capulet is presented as particularly protective over his daughter however, he becomes increasingly controlling over Juliet in relation to her marriage to Paris. It is only in his daughter’s death that Lord Capulet appears remorseful over his actions, albeit too late.
Overview Paragraph 2
Shakespeare uses the character of Lord Capulet as a vehicle to highlight the excessive control men hold over women, in particular fathers over daughters. Initially, Lord Capulet is presented as particularly protective over his daughter however, he becomes increasingly controlling over Juliet in relation to her marriage to Paris. It is only in his daughter’s death that Lord Capulet appears remorseful over his actions, albeit too late.
Opening
Quote 1
‘What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!’ (I.i.62)
• Lord Capulet appears to be very reactive and is quick to turn to weaponry and violence. He knows very little about unfolding events in Verona however responds in an aggressive manner in an attempt to protect his family’s reputation and honour – an approach which is largely upheld by those who belong to the older
generation.
Quote 2
‘The earth hath swallow’d all my hopes but she, she is the hopeful lady of my earth’ (I.ii.14-15)
• Lord Capulet’s use of ‘hope’ and ‘hopeful’ demonstrates his optimistic view of his daughter which defies largely accepted views of women at the time.
• Juliet’s father appears to treat his daughter with respect and consideration and so contemporary audiences are likely to favour Lord Capulet and his measured and thoughtful approach.
Quote 3
‘Am I the master here, or you? go to. You’ll not endure him!’ (I.v.75-76)
• Lord Capulet makes clear his authority by bringing attention to his higher social status as a means to remind Tybalt that he is ultimately in control. This comes as Tybalt refuses to take heed of Lord Capulet’s warning, as he is fixated on sparing with Romeo. Lord Capulet’s mention of his own social status comes a matter of lines
from his comment that he wishes to place such details to one side which seeks to highlight his somewhat changeable nature as a character.
Middle
Quote 1
‘O’ Thursday let it be: o’ Thursday, tell her, she shall be married to this noble earl.’ (III.iv.20-21)
• Lord Capulet believes that delaying the wedding by a day is a suitable compromise for his daughter and fails to acknowledge her wants or preferences. Again, the use of the term ‘shall’ demonstrates the lack of choice
given to Juliet along with reference to Paris as ‘noble’ which seeks to elevate him above his own daughter.
Quote 2
‘Prepare her, wife, against this wedding-day.’ (III.iv.32)
• Lord Capulet gives instruction to his wife to ensure that Juliet is ready to marry Paris. The use of the term ‘against’ is significant to contemporary audiences who would be outraged by Juliet’s treatment as a woman.
They would be aware of how unfair such behaviour would be and would be able to premeditate Juliet’s unwillingness to comply with her father’s wishes.
Quote 3
‘Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch!’ (III.v.160)
• Lord Capulet’s insults become progressively worse as this scene continues as he uses a number of profanities as a means to respond to Juliet’s reluctance to marry. Juliet’s father sees any kind of resistance to his actions
as highly disrespectful but interesting turns to insults as a means to demonstrate his unhappiness at the situation.
End
Quote 1
‘Death lies on her like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower of all the field.’ (IV.v.24-25)
• Only in death does Lord Capulet change his approach to Juliet having insulted and threatened her in the previous act. The use of the term ‘sweetest’ appears to present Juliet as an image of perfection which is a far cry from her recognition as a ‘disobedient wretch’.
Quote 2
‘Alack! my child is dead; and with my child my joys are buried.’ (IV.v.59-60)
• Despite threatening to disown Juliet in the previous act, Lord Capulet makes reference to her as ‘my child’ on two separate occasions which seeks to once again bring attention to his changeable nature. He states that his
‘joys are buried’ which indicate a continued focus on marriage as he feels that promise of such union has disappeared with Juliet’s death.
Quote 3
‘O brother Montague, give me thy hand: This is my daughter’s jointure, for no more Can I demand.’ (V.iii.295-297)
• Just as outlined in the prologue, it takes the death of both Romeo and Juliet for the older generation to recognise the futility of their conflict with one another. Lord Capulet’s use of ‘brother’ brings attention to his conscious effort to make amends, as does his physical outreach of ‘give me thy hand’.
