1.2
1. When Capulet is talking to Paris about Juliet, Capulet says “My child is yet a stranger in
the world.” What is Capulet saying about Juliet? In this instance, Capulet is comparing
Juliet's naivety, immaturity, inexperience, and youth to the lack of knowledge one has as
a stranger to something. Juliet, he suggests, is much too young to consider marriage.
2. Capulet encourages Paris to come to his party, where Juliet will simply be one of many
beautiful women. He wants Paris to look at all the women there.
a)
Why does Capulet want Paris to do this? Capulet advises Paris to court Juliet and win
her over himself because, in addition to Capulet's approval, Paris will knead Juliet's favour
to marry her as well. Capulet invites Paris to the big celebration at his home that night so
Paris will have an opportunity to begin to woo Juliet and win her love.
b) How does this echo Benvolio’s suggestion to Romeo in 1.1? The solution Bengalis
suggest to Romeo is to go away from Verona before the guards come and attack him.
Before in the story, the prince had already talked to Montague and Capulet three times so
both Romeo and Bengalis were aware of the consequences that they were going to
receive.
1.3
1.
The Nurse describes when she weaned Juliet (stopped breastfeeding her) at the age
of three. She mentions Susan.
a) Who is Susan? Susan is the Nurse's deceased daughter, who was born on the same day
as Juliet. In act one, scene three, Lady Capulet and the Nurse discuss Juliet's age and Lady
Capulet mentions that her daughter is not even fourteen years old yet.
b) How does this help us understand the Nurse’s relationship with Juliet? The Nurse,
despite being a servant in the Capulet household, has a role equal to that of Juliet's
mother and regards Juliet as her own daughter. The Nurse's relationship with Juliet
focuses attention on Juliet's age.
c) Why would Shakespeare include details about the Nurse’s breastfeeding? In the play,
Shakespeare presents the Nurse as Juliet's surrogate mother - a maternal figure, who truly
loves Juliet, wants her to be happy and will do anything for that happiness. This is
illustrated when she keeps Juliet's marriage to Romeo a secret, risking her job and
livelihood.
d) What characteristic of Juliet is Shakespeare highlighting in this passage, by giving us
this picture of her early childhood? Having not quite reached her fourteenth birthday,
Juliet is of an age that stands on the border between immaturity and maturity. At the
play’s beginning, however, she seems merely an obedient, sheltered, naïve child. Though
many girls her age—including her mother—get married, Juliet has not given the subject
any thought.
e) How is the Nurse’s perspective here in contrast to Gregory and Samson’s discussion
of women in 1.1? Sampson and Gregory, two servants of the house of Capulet, stroll
through the streets of Verona. With bawdy banter, Sampson vents his hatred of the house
of Montague. The two exchange punning remarks about physically conquering Montague
men and sexually conquering Montague women.
2. Lady Capulet encourages Juliet to look at Paris that evening. What aspect of Paris is
Lady Capulet focusing on? How does this echo the common feeling about love in the play
so far? What is love based on? Lady Capulet is Capulet's wife. Lady Capulet is a timid,
unknowing and selfish character, as she appears to be frightened of her husband and
does not love her daughter as a mother should. In the play, she forgets Juliet's age and
they have a formal relationship, illustrating the distance between them both.