The House of Capulet in Romeo and Juliet

The House of Capulet in Romeo and Juliet is one of fair Verona’s two feuding families—the other being the House of Montague. Capulet’s daughter, Juliet, falls in love with Romeo, the son of Montague and they elope, much to the anger of their respective families.

Here's a look at the major players in the House of Capulet.

Capulet (Juliet's Father)

He's head of the Capulet clan, married to Lady Capulet and father to Juliet. Capulet is locked in an on-going, bitter and unexplained dispute with the Montague family. Capulet is very much in charge and demands respect. He is prone to rage if he does not get his own way. Capulet loves his daughter very much but is out of touch with her hopes and dreams. He believes that she should marry Paris.

Lady Capulet (Juliet's Mother)

Married to Capulet and mother to Juliet, Lady Capulet appears distanced from her daughter. It is interesting to note that Juliet receives most of her moral guidance and affection from the Nurse. Lady Capulet, who also married young, believes it was high time Juliet was married off and chooses Paris as the appropriate candidate.

But when Juliet declines to marry Paris, Lady Capulet turns on her: "Talk not to me, for I'll not speak a word; do as thou wilt, for I am done with thee."

Lady Capulet takes the news of her nephew Tybalt's death extremely hard, going so far as to wish death on his killer, Romeo.

Juliet Capulet

Our female protagonist is 13 years old and about to be married to Paris. However, Juliet soon stumbles upon her fate when she meets Romeo, and instantly falls in love with him, despite him being the son of her family’s enemy.

Over the course of the play, Juliet matures, making the decision to abandon her family to be with Romeo. But like most women in Shakespeare's plays, Juliet has little personal freedom.

Tybalt

Lady Capulet’s nephew and Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt is antagonistic and has a deep hatred of the Montagues. He has a short temper and is quick to draw his sword when his ego is in danger of being damaged. Tybalt has a vindictive nature and is feared. When Romeo kills him, this is a major turning point in the play.

Juliet’s Nurse

A loyal maternal figure and friend to Juliet, the Nurse provides moral guidance and practical advice. She knows Juliet better than anyone else and provides comic relief in the play with her bawdy sense of humor. The Nurse has a disagreement with Juliet near the end of the play which demonstrates her lack of understanding about the intensity of Juliet’s feelings about love and about Romeo.

Servants of the Capulets

Samson: After the Chorus, he is the first character to speak and establishes the conflict between the Capulets and the Montagues.

Gregory: Along with Samson, he discusses the tension in the Montague household.

Peter: Illiterate and a bad singer, Peter invites guests to the Capulets’ feast and escorts the Nurse to meet with Romeo.