Student Question
What evidence in Romeo and Juliet suggests the Capulets and Montagues are wealthy?
Quick answer:
Evidence in Romeo and Juliet suggests the Capulets and Montagues are wealthy through their noble titles, ancient family history, and social status. The Prologue mentions their "dignity" and "ancient grudge," indicating high rank and long-standing prominence. Titles like Lady Capulet and Lady Montague, Capulet's courtier's gown, County Paris's proposal, and Mercutio's relation to Prince Escalus further attest to their wealth and nobility.
There are several textual clues that help to determine that both the Capulet
and Montague families are wealthy, noble, and even ancient families of
Verona.
We see the first clue in the Prologue, which opens describing the families with
the line, "Two households, both alike in dignity." In this context, the word
"dignity" can be translated to refer to "elevated rank, office," or "station"
("Dignity,"
Dictionary.com). Therefore, we know from this one word that both families
have high social status, and they are most likely nobility.
The second line in the Prologue also informs us that both are ancient families as well: "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny." Since their "grudge," or feud, is "ancient," we also know that the two families are as equally ancient as the feud. Their ancient family history can also serve to attest that they are prominent families that are socially high...
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ranking, possibly even wealthy.
Another form of textual evidence proving that the families are of noble birth
is the fact that both wives are addressed as Lady
Capulet and Lady
Montague. If they are both Ladies by marriage, then naturally they're
husbands are both Lords.
A fourth piece of textual evidence is that in the opening scene, the stage
direction Shakespeare uses to bring Capulet on to the set is, "Enter Old
Capulet in his gown, and his Wife" (I.i.71). The term "gown" can only
refer to his courtier's gown, proving his wealth, noble lineage, and prominent
social status. Similarly, another textual clue that helps to depict Capulet's
status is the fact that County Paris has asked for his daughter's hand in
marriage. County is another name for a Count, which has a much higher noble
rank than a Lord. Lord Capulet would only consider allowing a man of equal or
higher status marry his daughter. County Paris also gives us textual evidence
that both families are considered to be of high rank when he assures Capulet of
his status by saying, "Of honourable reckoning are you both" (I.2.4). The
phrase "honourable reckoning" can be translated to mean honorable status.
Finally, we also learn from Romeo at Mercutio's death that Prince Escalusis
actually a relation, probably by marriage, of Mercutio's. We see this in
Romeo's lines,
This gentleman, the prince's near ally,
My very friend, hath got his mortal hurt. (III.1.110)
The term "ally" can refer to a unity by marriage ("ally," Dictionary.com). Hence, Prince Escalus was related to Mercutio. If Romeo is close friends with Mercutio, a relation of the prince, then that also serves to prove that the Montagues were indeed wealthy courtiers.
References