The Capulets

Question 1

True or False? Lady Capulet had a child by the time she was Juliet’s age.

Answer 1

True. Lady Capulet says she was a “mother much upon these years”, meaning that she had already had a child by Juliet’s age.

Question 2

Why does Capulet want Tybalt to “endure” Romeo’s presence during this party?

Answer 2

Capulet wants Tybalt to endure Romeo’s presence so that Tybalt doesn’t “make a mutiny” — he doesn’t want Tybalt to cause a scene.

Question 3

Give an example where Lady Capulet wishes harm on another character.

Answer 3

She wants to give an “unaccustomed dram” (poison) to Romeo after Tybalt’s death.

Question 4

Do you think that Capulet changes during the play?
Give reasons for your answer.

Answer 4

• Capulet’s behaviour
  towards Juliet changes. In
  Act 3, Scene 5 he is cruel
  and threatens to disown
  her after she disobeys him.
  However, when she
  pretends that she will
  marry Paris in Act 4, Scene
  2, he is civil towards her
  once more.
• Capulet becomes more
  peaceful. In Act 1, Scene 1
  he wants to fight
  Montague, but by the end
  of the play he is willing to
  make peace and calls him
  “brother
  Montague”.

Question 5

What is Lady Capulet’s attitude towards marriage?
Use examples from the text in your answer.

Answer 5

Lady Capulet’s attitude towards marriage is practical rather than romantic. In Act 3, she gives Juliet “joyful tidings” of her upcoming marriage. The fact that she sees the marriage as “joyful”, even though Juliet has not had the chance to get to know or love Paris, suggests that she does not think that being in love is important for the couple.