Who Is Lord Capulet To Blame For The Deaths Of Romeo And Juliet

Tragedies cannot be written without a glimpse of the happy ending that might have been. In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, the ironic fact remains that it did not have to be a story of woe. In a series of over complications and misguided decisions, the happy love story of Romeo and Juliet turns into several tragic deaths as a result of secrets well kept. One of the most influential people in creating this ending is Lord Capulet, through no fault of his own. For the duration of the play, Lord Capulet only does what he thinks will make Juliet happy. Unfortunately, his intentions to bring Juliet joy only brings her despair, for she does not tell him the happiness she feels with Romeo. In consideration of Capulet’s attitude towards marriage, opinion of Romeo, and his personality, Lord Capulet would have allowed Juliet to marry Romeo if only he had known of their relationship.

Capulet describes Juliet as one of the only hopes he has left, and therefore does not want her to marry too soon. He wants her to marry only if she truly loves the person and will be happy spending the rest of her life with him. When Capulet is discussing the possible marriage of Paris and Juliet, he describes how he will only give his approval after she agrees to marry him: “My will to her consent is but a part/ And she agreed, within her scope of choice/ Lies my consent and fair according voice” (1.2.17-19). Capulet acknowledges that his “will” is a small part of what goes into Juliet deciding whom she will marry; “her consent” is much more important. Also, he allows her to have a “scope of choice” or a selection of people she may marry; therefore, Capulet is open to Juliet marrying others, including Romeo. Lord Capulet’s open attitude towards marriage shows that he is willing to let Juliet marry others and does not push her to marry Paris, at least for a short amount of