, 's
father, is one of the most interesting characters in 's because he
undergoes what seems to be a dramatic and unexpected change.
In the first
act of the play, we meet Capulet as one of the patriarchs of the two feuding clans in Verona.
While it is true that he does not wield a sword or throw a punch himself, it is obvious that he
could stop the violence his loyalists are causing if he really wanted to do so. He does
not.
The next time we see him, he is talking toabout Juliet: Paris wants to
marry her. Capulet sounds like a loving and reasonable father when he tells Paris that Juliet is
too young and that
My will to her consent is but a
part.
Capulet makes it clear that he will never
consent to anyone marrying his daughter without her approval.
We also know
Capulet is capable of being good-hearted and is willing to be hospitable even to his enemies
whenand the others show up to his party. He knows Romeo is there ( tells him) and yet he does
not take any action against him.
So far we have mixed messages indeed from
Lord Capulet. He hates his enemies but lets them stay at his party. He insists that Juliet must
be able to choose her husband---and then he goes and does something completely contrary to that
in Act III.
Juliet's cousin Tybalt has been slain by Romeo, and Juliet is
inconsolable. Of course her parents assume she is crying for Tybalt, when in fact she is
mourning the loss of her husband, Romeo.
There is little explanation for what
happens next other than Capulet wants to help his daughter get over her grief and grabs onto the
first idea he comes across in order to make that happen. He arranges for Juliet to marry Paris
immediately.
delivers the news, but Juliet is not thrilled as her father
expected her to be. In fact, she flatly refuses to marry Paris--or anyone else, for that matter.
Capulet's reaction is extraordinary. He yells at her, he curses her, he calls her names, and he
vows to disown her. And his language is such that we believe him, and so does Juliet.
Capulet says:
Hang thee, young baggage!
disobedient wretch!
I tell thee whatget thee to church a Thursday
Or never
after look me in the face.
Speak not, reply not, do not answer me!
My fingers
itch.
Clearly he wants to hit Juliet for her insolence,
something she refuses to explain to him.
Juliet continues her stubborn
refusals, and Capulet continues his tirade against her, saying that he has never done nothing
except try to make her life better. Now that he has made such a fine match for her, he expected
Juliet to be grateful and therefore obedient. When she is not, he continues his
tirade:
Graze where you will, you shall not house with
me.
Look to't, think on't; I do not use to jest.
Thursday is near; lay hand on
heart, advise:
An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend;(200)
An you be not,
hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,
For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge
thee,
Nor what is mine shall never do thee good.
Trust to't. Bethink you. I'll
not be forsworn.
This is a serious and significant
threat, and Juliet obviously believes it because she takes drastic action to avoid having to
marry Paris.
When Juliet refuses to obey his wish, Capulet is obviously
angry, angry enough to give a detailed threat about disowning her. We can also assume he feels
softer emotions, such as hurt and disappointment, since this all started because he wanted to
comfort her. In any case, his reaction is explosive.
No comments:
Post a Comment