During the Elizabethan period, society was patriarchal, with men being considered the dominant gender and women being subservient. Women had no say in society, meaning their choices were not taken into account. The only agency a woman had was the choice to end her own life. Men determined whom a woman should marry, and women were expected to comply with their father’s or any other man’s desires. In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet’s life is controlled by her father, Capulet, and this is made easier by the fact that Juliet is still a child and therefore easily influenced. Women who refused to marry would be cast aside and lose their social standing.
Despite being set during the Elizabethan period when men held dominion, Romeo and Juliet defies gender norms. Shakespeare empowers Juliet with a conscience, a voice, and a strong will to endure suffering, making her the strongest character. In contrast, Romeo is portrayed as weak and vulnerable under pressure. Juliet’s defiance represents a significant progression for women, granting them an independent opinion beyond that of their fathers.
Shakespeare’s decision was a significant statement against the patriarchal society of his time, which was unjust towards women who suffered silently. Unfortunately, this trend still persists in certain countries today. In regards to Paris asking for Juliet’s hand in marriage, Capulet was initially hesitant due to her young age. He is cautious because he perceives her as vulnerable, still being a child. It is evident that Capulet holds the power over Juliet’s future, and she has no voice in this marriage until later on, and even then her opinions are disregarded.
Capulet has agreed that if Paris can successfully court Juliet, then she will be his. On one hand, Capulet is exerting control by making Juliet’s decisions for her. On the other hand, Juliet is given a voice in deciding whether or not to marry Paris. “My child is a stranger in the world.” This statement implies that Juliet is still seen as a child and is not prepared to handle the weighty responsibilities of marriage. When Paris proposes the idea of marrying Juliet, who is only thirteen years old, Capulet insists that he wants Juliet to marry someone she loves and that it should ultimately be her choice.
Although Capulet expressed concern about Juliet’s age, it was actually common in Shakespeare’s time for girls to marry at twelve and boys at fourteen. Capulet states, “Let two more summers wither in their pride,” implying that he wants Juliet to be sixteen before getting married, as she would have matured by then. As a father, Capulet feels the need to protect his family and wants to learn more about Paris before giving his consent. He says, “The earth hath swallow’d all my hopes but she,” indicating that Juliet is his only child and brings him joy. Despite losing everything else, Juliet is all he has left. “The earth hath swallowed” suggests that he has experienced loss and the world has taken away anything valuable from him, leaving only Juliet. Capulet further states, “An she agrees, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice,” meaning that if Juliet agrees willingly, he gives his permission. Capulet himself is in his fifties and Lady Capulet is in her thirties, implying that he knows the challenges of having a young wife and is not in the mindset to let his daughter marry at such a young age.
However, it was widely acknowledged that Paris and Juliet were a suitable pair. According to Capulet, Juliet is like an unripe piece of fruit, suggesting that it would be imprudent to marry her yet. Capulet implies that marrying Juliet now would only lead to her being damaged or spoiled. Juliet’s innocence is evident in the recent film adaptation, where she dons an angel costume at the party. Capulet’s decision to allow Juliet to marry on Thursday was influenced by his desire to uplift everyone’s spirits in the aftermath of Tybalt’s death.
The marriage would bring happiness to Juliet and alleviate her grief for “Tybalt”, even though she was mourning Romeo’s banishment. Capulet believes that Juliet would agree to the marriage proposal because it would divert her thoughts from “Tybalt”, but more importantly, in a patriarchal society, Juliet would be obligated to obey if Capulet desires this union. The loss of a family member has caused sorrow for everyone, but Capulet immediately becomes cheerful after giving his consent to the marriage. Not only Capulet, but also the Nurse and Lady Capulet (mentioned in Act 1), desire this marriage.
Capulet sees Paris as a rare opportunity for Juliet to marry someone who is wealthy, athletic, intelligent, and talented. Since Capulet is Juliet’s father, her opinion is not considered necessary. The primary motive behind this marriage is to alleviate Juliet’s grief. With Tybalt’s unexpected death in a duel and Juliet being his only child, Capulet is reminded of how easily young people die in medieval Verona. Consequently, he decides to proceed with the marriage swiftly.
Capulet is concerned about his mortality and the lack of an heir, so he places all his hopes on Juliet, his only child. Since Juliet is the only one, Capulet wants to ensure she has a bright future and believes that Paris would make a suitable husband. This union would elevate the social status of the Capulet family and bring them fame, respect, and sway over the Montagues due to Paris’ connection with the Prince. If the Capulets enter into a business partnership with the Prince, they would also gain financial support. Capulet reminds everyone that time passes swiftly and young lovers will eventually become parents who grow old. He desires the same for his daughter – to marry and have children. The relationship between Lady Capulet and Juliet is strained and distant, possibly due to an arranged marriage that Lady Capulet obediently accepted due to age differences between her and Capulet.
When Juliet defies her mother, she is defying the lifestyle her mother had been forced to endure in her marriage. Lady Capulet had learned to be obedient and submit to her husband’s desires, even if she strongly disagreed. It is possible that Lady Capulet was too afraid to challenge her husband’s authority, but if she lived in the twenty-first century, she would have more autonomy and a voice in the decisions of the Capulet household. Nevertheless, she will still uphold her husband’s opinions because she will benefit from this marriage.
Lady Capulet is eager for Juliet to marry Paris, describing him as a flawless “man of wax”. Rather than considering Juliet’s feelings, Lady Capulet sees this marriage as a way to improve their social standing and increase their wealth. She sees Juliet as old enough for marriage and believes that marrying Paris will bring them all of his possessions. Unlike Capulet, Lady Capulet is enthusiastic about this union.
Lady Capulet demonstrates her views on marriage by asserting to Juliet that she will possess all the possessions of Paris. This attitude seemingly extends to her relationship with Capulet as well. In general, Lady Capulet supports arranged marriages and understands that she would not have had any say in the matter anyway, given the patriarchal society in which she lives. The union with Paris offers various advantages for Lady Capulet. Initially, Capulet approaches Juliet with a combination of comforting and directive language, instructing her to calm down and cease crying, while also informing her that she will be wedded to Paris on Thursday. He assumes that Juliet’s tears stem from her grief over Tybalt’s death, unaware that her distress is actually caused by Romeo’s banishment.
Capulet attempts to lighten the atmosphere by cracking jokes, referring to Juliet as a “drainpipe” due to her excessive crying. Expecting Juliet to be overjoyed and enthusiastic, Capulet is disappointed when she refuses. This disappoints him because, in their patriarchal society, women were expected to comply with men’s desires. In lines 143-144, Capulet questions Juliet’s lack of gratitude, unaware of the magnitude of her fortune in being betrothed to such an outstanding individual.
Juliet feels a heavy sense of guilt for her secret relationship with Romeo and for disappointing her father. Nonetheless, she tries to soften the blow for Capulet by stating, “Not proud you have, but thankful you have. Proud I can never be of what I hate.” In other words, Juliet appreciates all the efforts made on her behalf but cannot bring herself to marry someone she does not love. Capulet is taken aback, enraged, and astonished by Juliet’s refusal to comply. He lashes out at her with threats of kicking her out and even death threats. Capulet’s extreme reaction stems from his adherence to traditional gender roles where women are considered inferior.
Both parents of Juliet are not accustomed to dealing with a strong-willed daughter. In this scene, both parents reveal their failure as parents, as their main concern is wealth and status. Juliet, however, handles this situation maturely and shows self-control and balance, indicating her transition into adulthood. Lady Capulet abandons her daughter, displaying her cold and spiteful nature by refusing to comfort Juliet. Earlier in the Act, Lady Capulet attempts to empathize with Juliet regarding arranged marriage, as she has experienced it herself. Additionally, the Nurse also encourages Juliet to marry Paris. The Nurse’s disloyalty can be understood considering that not everyone possesses the courage to defy societal expectations like Juliet does. Juliet’s independence from the Nurse signifies her growth into adulthood, as the Nurse symbolizes childhood. Capulet threatens to disown Juliet and insults her, attempting to make her feel guilty for her actions.
Capulet manipulates Juliet by demeaning her for not wanting to marry Paris and suggests that she should appreciate the effort expended on her behalf. His self-centeredness becomes evident as he throws a fit when things don’t go his way. Displaying impulsivity, he swiftly reschedules the wedding to Thursday upon learning of Juliet’s sorrow. Since they live in a patriarchal society, Capulet doesn’t bother seeking Juliet’s consent. He’s easily provoked and loses his temper when Juliet refuses. Overall, Capulet is portrayed as a simplistic character in this scene, lacking thoughtful consideration of the circumstances.
In Act 1 Scene 1, Capulet demonstrates concern for Juliet in her time of grief, a decision that would have been viewed favorably by the Elizabethan audience. However, this choice has the opposite effect and fails to please her. Capulet unveils a different aspect of his character in this scene – one that is violent and filled with anger. Despite his aggressive protection of Juliet by refusing the marriage proposal, Capulet’s previous lack of violence is contradicted. The audience perceives him as evil and the villain when he exclaims, “Out you green-sickness carrion!” Capulet’s actions reduce the play to a primitive level as he continues to act without thought. Nevertheless, such behavior was considered normal in a patriarchal society.
The man’s anger rapidly escalates from a calm and happy state to one of absolute fury. Upon his initial arrival, he displays sarcasm, addressing a girl as a conduit and questioning why she is still in tears. Initially lighthearted and joyful, he becomes angry upon Juliet’s refusal and questions why she shows no gratitude or pride. His confusion stems from the fact that it is uncommon for women to have a voice in a patriarchal society. Capulet even threatens violence, expressing his willingness to drag Juliet forcibly to the wedding. His anger is so intense that Juliet is afraid to speak, fearing punishment. He is even tempted to physically harm her as his fingers itch with the urge. It seems that Capulet’s violent temper has suppressed Juliet and Lady Capulet from speaking up until now. Both Juliet’s and Romeo’s unfortunate love story is seemingly predetermined by the stars as ill-fated and star-crossed lovers. In Act 1, when Romeo is heading to the ball, he mentions that fate hangs in the stars, indicating that it will intervene on that night. This scene carries significant emotional weight with its skillful use of language and character development. Juliet is being deceptive and cunningly manages to evade all the questions directed at her.
Juliet has undergone a transformation from a dutiful teenage girl to a mature young woman, while Capulet remains oblivious. Throughout the play, Juliet’s youthfulness is highlighted to demonstrate her journey from adolescence to maturity, emphasizing her role as a tragic heroine. Towards the end of the scene, Juliet creates a difficult situation for Friar Lawrence by expressing her willingness to commit suicide if he doesn’t assist her in alleviating her sorrow. This concluding moment of despair contrasts sharply with the initial joyous tone of the scene, when Romeo and Juliet awaken together.
Juliet asked the Nurse at the ball to find out if Romeo was single or else she would be heartbroken and her wedding bed would become her grave. It is ironic that when Romeo and Juliet finally come together, they both die by her grave. Additionally, Capulet threatens to disown Juliet and kick her out, leaving her feeling abandoned and suicidal. Capulet tries to make Juliet feel guilty by emphasizing all the good things he has done for her and how fortunate she should feel to have Paris as a husband.
She has been kept in “fair demenses” (good estates), and Capulet reminds Juliet to be grateful for the secure future he has provided her with Paris. He tells her that if she is not grateful, she can go live on the streets, as he will never acknowledge her or let her benefit from anything he has or gives. Capulet thinks he has found Juliet a good husband, but it is widely known that the Capulet family stands to gain a lot from this marriage.
The Capulets would gain more support from the Prince, become wealthier, and achieve a higher social standing. Additionally, Paris possesses numerous qualities that Capulet desires, including intelligence, athleticism, wealth, and talent. If Juliet were to refuse, Capulet would be willing to physically force her to the church, even resorting to hitting her. In such a scenario, Capulet would disown Juliet and strip her of her societal status. Lady Capulet, driven by her fear of Capulet and the prevailing patriarchal society, would be unable to challenge his decisions or offer her own opinions. As Lady Capulet stands to benefit from this marriage as well, she does not raise any objections.
Juliet is told to wed Paris instead of Romeo, but she rejects this suggestion. Marrying Paris would constitute bigamy and Juliet would prefer to die instead. Moreover, she cannot marry someone she does not love. Juliet’s fidelity to Romeo demonstrates her growth as a mature and independent woman. Capulet, as the head of the family, has heavily influenced Juliet’s wedding. This is because society at that time was patriarchal, allowing him to oversee all matters. Capulet genuinely cares about securing a stable future for Juliet since she is his sole offspring.
Capulet in Act 3 Scene 5 initially appeared joyful, but he had initial reservations about the wedding. However, he ultimately agrees because he wants to alleviate Juliet’s sorrow. Even after the argument, he remains adamant about proceeding with the wedding. It could be that he believes Juliet needs a man to control her, and if she won’t listen to her father, then Paris would be the next best option. When Capulet learns of Juliet’s death, he is left speechless, and his guilt strikes him when he rants to Juliet about her potential demise.
After Juliet’s demise, Capulet begins to regret the marriage and reflects on how it impacted Juliet’s decision to end her own life. He reconsiders the fact that Juliet was too young for marriage and recalls how he had wanted to wait until she turned sixteen, taking her feelings into consideration. Initially, when Capulet initially proposed the union between Juliet and Count Paris, Juliet obediently accepted her father’s advice. She believed that her parents only wanted what was best for her, resulting in a loving relationship where she followed Capulet’s commands. In this context, Shakespeare’s use of the word “stranger” highlights Juliet’s lack of worldly experience and her young age, emphasizing Capulet’s love for his daughter and his desire to keep her close for a longer period of time. Capulet arranged the marriage with Paris due to his status and wealth, which Capulet believed would ensure his daughter’s well-being. Paris was seen as an eligible bachelor by both the Nurse and Lady Capulet. Capulet perceived Paris as an ideal husband due to his many qualities and urgently pushed for the marriage as Tybalt’s death left Capulet without an heir.
Juliet declined Paris’ marriage proposal due to her love for Romeo and unwillingness to marry someone she didn’t love. Additionally, marrying Paris would constitute bigamy. Juliet’s guilt over deceiving her parents and rejecting her father deeply affected her. She recognizes her blessings and desires for Capulet to understand as well, but his anger blinded him. Capulet becomes furious when Juliet rebels and threatens to disown her, feeling as though she has deceived him.
Juliet has rejected everything that he has given her and desires to delay the marriage or end her life. She pleads with her parents to postpone the wedding and escape with Romeo. In order to appease her father, she eventually agrees to the marriage, however, she has a hidden agenda. Capulet is relieved to regain control over his daughter and see her obedience return. Yet, he also bears the burden of guilt for leading Juliet to contemplate suicide. Over time, a growing rift develops between Juliet and her father, leaving him overwhelmed with shock and remorse for his actions.
