Capulet

Also known as: my lord and father / old Capulet · Family: Capulets · Role: head of the Capulet household · First appears: Romeo and Juliet · Act I, Scene I

As head of the Capulet household, Capulet is married to Lady Capulet and stands as an enemy of Montague. When their factions clash in Verona, Prince Escalus ends the brawl and summons both men for judgment. Capulet later tells Paris, “Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride,” while allowing him to court Juliet if he wins her consent.

At his feast, Capulet welcomes many guests, including Tybalt, and forbids Tybalt from attacking Romeo, insisting that Romeo be endured in his house. Romeo declares that his love is set on Capulet’s daughter, and Friar Lawrence agrees to help unite the households through marriage.

Capulet schedules Juliet’s marriage to Paris and, when she resists, tells her that he will no longer acknowledge her or support her. After Juliet asks his pardon and promises obedience, he hastens the wedding to the next morning, ordering Nurse to prepare her while he receives the bridegroom. Instead, the celebration becomes a funeral; afterward, Capulet and Montague reconcile over their children’s deaths, and Capulet offers his hand, saying, “O brother Montague, give me thy hand.”