Lord Capulet Character Analysis Essay

Parents strive to see their children grow into happy successful adults. As children start to make their own life for themselves they may tend to seek validation from their parents and appreciate approval for major decisions such as their marriage. In the play, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare allows speculation for Lord Capulet to have allowed Juliet to marry Romeo if he had known. This is evidenced by his willingness to end the ancient grudge, awareness of Romeo’s fine character, and Capulet giving Juliet a say in her marriage at the beginning of the play. While Lord Capulet seemingly gives full support to the marriage between Paris and Juliet, it is arguable he would have allowed Juliet to marry Romeo if he had known of their relationship.

Capulet shows evidence that he could have given his consent to Romeo and Juliet’s marriage since he cared for Juliet’s approval at the beginning of the play. Once Paris asked for Capulet’s approval for her hand in marriage at her young ripe age, he makes it clear that Paris is to have Juliet’s approval before Capulet tells him he can marry his daughter. He confirms, “But woo her gentle Paris, get her heart; My will to her consent is but a part; An she agree, within her scope of choice Lies my consent and fair according voice” (1.2.9). Lord Capulet explains that his “will to her consent is but a part,” but ultimately Paris needs confirmation from Juliet. His willingness to give Juliet a say in whom she marries supports the idea that Capulet could have allowed Romeo’s relationship with his daughter if he had known. As Juliet’s father, Lord Capulet shows to have his daughter’s happiness in his best interest by telling Paris to woo her and “get her heart;”. Although the societal norm at this time is to marry a young man chosen by the parents at the ripe age of 13, Capulet shows to allow Juliet to make her own marital decisions. Capulet’s initial acceptance of who Juliet marries allows speculation for him to support Romeo and Juliet’s marriage if he had known about it.

Lord Capulet proves his awareness of Romeo’s fine character in act l when speaking of Romeo’s unwelcomed presence. As he does not want a Montague at his feast, he tells Tybalt he shall endure him since he is liked by Verona. This shows that although he may not approve of Juliet wedding a Montague, he doesn’t think Romeo is ill-intended. When Lord Capulet explains his belief to Tybalt, he remarks, “And, to say the truth, Verona brags of him To be a virtuous and well-govern’d youth: I would not for the health of all this town Here in my house do him disparagement,” (1.5.20). Capulet makes it clear that the presence of a Montague at his feast was not welcomed due to their bloodlines’ past conflict, but reveals that he recognizes the Montague family’s honorable status. Lord Capulet, a nobleman himself, has a family of his own that is worthy of capable suitors. Consenting to Paris’s request for his daughter’s hand in marriage proves that Capulet would like Juliet to be wed to an honorable man to keep up his families nobility and societal standing. Capulet acknowledging Romeo’s suitable traits supports the claim that he would have accepted Romeo and Juliet’s marriage.

Lord Capulet seemingly doesn’t want to light a fire on the feud which supports the idea that he would find satisfaction in Romeo and Juliet’s marriage ending the family feud. A prior scene in the play takes place in the streets of Verona with the Capulet and Montague members fighting. Prince Eculus determines that the family feud must not be put on display due to both of their reputations and status in the town. Lord Capulet exhibits him following this request by stating that Tybalt is not to “endure him” meaning Romeo, once he had shown up uninvited to the Capulet feast. He makes an effort to keep this feud at peace at the Capulet’s feast: “You’ll not endure him! God shall mend my soul, You’ll make a mutiny among my guests” (1.5.20-21). The ancient grudge between the Capulets and the Montagues shows to be affecting modern-day Verona. Lord Capulet doesn’t want to cause trouble or draw attention to the situation to keep a good reputation for the family name. He displays that he is not interested in damaging the relationship between the two families further and proves that he wants peace. Allowing Romeo and Juliet to be married could keep the peace between the two houses which would satisfy both his daughter and himself. The choices that Lord Capulet chooses to make at the Capulet feast prove that he wants to have peace with the Montagues which potentially could occur with his acceptance of the children’s love.

 Although Lord Capulet allows Paris to pursue Juliet, Shakespeare provides evidence to believe that Capulet would support Romeo and Juliet’s relationship. Throughout the play, Capulet wants to maintain peace from the past Montague Capulet conflict. His actions continue to demonstrate his desire for Juliet to have an honorable suitor, and he expresses his certainty that he wants his daughter to be happy with her husband. Quite often giving people the benefit of the doubt and not hiding just based of off fear can be beneficial. Taking a leap of faith in revealing the truth will reveal possibilities that initially didn’t seem possible.