The audience may have a positive impression of Lord Capulet through the first two Acts of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In Act III, he reveals a more malevolent personality after Juliet rebuffs his offer of marriage to Count Paris.
When we first meet Lord Capulet we admire his love and good sense regarding his daughter. Paris, a wealthy man of Verona, wants to marry Juliet. Because of his title and social status Paris is a good match for Juliet. Capulet, however, worries more about his very young daughter's well-being than any social or political expedience. He urges Paris to woo Juliet and win her love. He says, in Act I, Scene 2,
She’s the hopeful lady of my earth.
But woo her, gentle Paris, get her heart;
My will to her consent is but a part.
And, she agreed, within her scope of choice
Lies my consent and fair according voice.
Content thee, gentle coz. Let him alone.
He bears him like a portly gentleman,
And, to say truth, Verona brags of him
To be a virtuous and well-governed youth.
I would not for the wealth of all this town
Here in my house do him disparagement.
An you be mine, I’ll give you to my friend.
An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets,
For, by my soul, I’ll ne’er acknowledge thee,
Nor what is mine shall never do thee good.
Trust to ’t; bethink you. I’ll not be forsworn.
O child! O child! My soul and not my child!
Dead art thou! Alack, my child is dead,
And with my child my joys are burièd.
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