Emily Campbell
Period 5/6
March 2012
Capulet
Everyone loves a good play. Plays captivate the emotions of their audience when the audience connects with a character. William Shakespeare knew human nature and used that knowledge in his writings. One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays is Romeo and Juliet, a tragic story of two minors who fall in love in the midst of their families’ rivalry. In this story, one of Shakespeare’s characters is Capulet who plays the important role of Juliet’s father. Capulet is a dynamic character in Romeo and Juliet. Capulet is dynamic because he loves his daughter, is a good host and is easily angered. In the second scene of the first act, Capulet demonstrates his love for his daughter Juliet. Paris asks for her hand in marriage, but Capulet refuses to allow her to marry at age thirteen and tells Paris to “Let two more summers wither in their pride/ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride” (I, ii, 10-11). When Paris protests that girls thirteen-years-old are already mothers, Capulet replies that “…too soon marred are those so early made” (I, ii, 13). He worries that she will die in childbirth at such a young age. Juliet is Capulet’s only living child and his hope for the future. Another positive trait is Capulet is a cordial party host. Capulet greets all his guests with a warm welcome in scene five. He keeps his guests loose and comfortable. “Ladies that have their toes/ Unplagued with corns will walk a bout (dance) with you” (I, v, 15-16), Capulet teases his female visitors. Moreover, Capulet is found to be a civil master of the house. He sets aside his disagreements with the Montagues in order to avoid starting a fight when Romeo crashes the party. He says, “A bears himself like a portly (dignified) gentleman” (I, v, 65). Therefore, Capulet proves to be a genial host. Despite his good characteristics, Capulet has a bad temper.