Discussion Topic
Discussion Between Lord Capulet and Paris in "Romeo and Juliet"
Summary:
The discussion between Lord Capulet and Paris in "Romeo and Juliet" centers on Paris's desire to marry Juliet. Initially, Capulet is hesitant, suggesting Paris should wait two more years and win Juliet's love. However, he later agrees to the marriage, arranging for Paris to woo Juliet at the Capulet's ball, hoping to gain her consent.
What do Paris and Lord Capulet discuss in Act 3, Scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet? How does this relate to Act 4, Scene 1?
The conversation between Capulet and Paris is terse and direct. Tybalt has been killed, so Juliet’s parents give her time to grieve. Yet they are still intent on making Paris her husband. Paris suggests they marry on Monday. Capulet replies:
Monday! ha, ha! Well, Wednesday is too soon, / O' Thursday let it be: o' Thursday, tell her.
The bluntness of their conversation reinforces the idea that the pending marriage isn’t built on mutual love—indeed, it is merely an impersonal transaction negotiated by Paris and Juliet's parents.
The next scene features Juliet and Romeo in Juliet’s house. Juliet wants Romeo to stay in her home for a while and not leave so soon. “Wilt thou be gone? it is not yet near day,” Juliet says. Romeo responds, “I must be gone and live, or stay and die.” Juliet doesn’t think it’s quite as stark as Romeo makes it out...
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to be. She reminds Romeo that it isn’t daylight, so their chances of being caught aren’t that great.
Romeo isn’t entirely convinced of what Juliet is saying. He tells her, “Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death; / I am content, so thou wilt have it so.” Yes, he agrees to Juliet’s demands, but the “put to death” phrase indicates that he’s aware that staying could cause trouble. Sure enough, the nurse and then Juliet’s mom soon enter the room, forcing Romeo to flee.
The juxtaposition of the two scenes poke fun at the disparate demands and realities of Juliet's love life. Even as Paris and Lord Capulet plot her marriage and attempt to determine her future for her, Juliet actively undermines their expectations and chooses her own path.