Lines 1-2:

CAPULET:
“So many guests invite as here are writ.”

Capulet tells his servant to invite all the guests whose names are written on a list.

➡ Meaning: He is making sure that all the people invited to the wedding will be there.

➡ Analysis: This shows Capulet’s excitement about the wedding. He wants it to be grand and well-organized.

➡ Language Technique: The phrase “as here are writ” is an example of formal speech, which was common for noble characters in Shakespeare’s plays.

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Lines 3-4:

CAPULET:
“Sirrah, go hire me twenty cunning cooks.”

Capulet orders his servant to hire twenty skilled cooks for the wedding feast.

➡ Meaning: He wants the best cooks to prepare food for the wedding guests.

➡ Analysis: This line shows Capulet’s wealth and desire to impress people with a lavish feast.

➡ Language Technique: “Sirrah” is a term used to address a servant or someone of lower status. Shakespeare often used it to reflect the social hierarchy of the time.

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Lines 5-6:

SERVINGMAN:
“You shall have none ill, sir, for I’ll try if they can lick their fingers.”

The servant assures Capulet that none of the cooks will be bad because he will test them in a specific way—by seeing if they lick their fingers.

➡ Meaning: A good cook will taste their own food to make sure it is well-seasoned, so if a cook does not lick his fingers, he is probably not very good.

➡ Analysis: This is a humorous moment in the scene, as the servant makes a joke about how he will judge the cooks.

➡ Language Technique: This line uses wordplay and humor. The servant is being playful, which contrasts with the serious tone of the wedding preparations.

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Lines 7-8:

CAPULET:
“How canst thou try them so?”

Capulet asks how the servant will test the cooks.

➡ Meaning: He is confused and wants to know how the servant will make sure the cooks are skilled.

➡ Analysis: Capulet is so focused on the wedding that he takes the servant’s joke seriously.

➡ Language Technique: This is an example of dramatic irony because the audience can tell the servant is joking, but Capulet takes him literally.

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Lines 9-11:

SERVINGMAN:
“Marry, sir, ’tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers. Therefore he that cannot lick his fingers goes not with me.”

The servant explains his test: if a cook does not taste his own food (by licking his fingers), then he must not be a good cook, so he will not be hired.

➡ Meaning: He is continuing his joke. A good cook enjoys his own food, but a bad cook would not want to taste it.

➡ Analysis: The servant is using humor to entertain Capulet and lighten the mood before the wedding.

➡ Language Technique: Proverbial wisdom—the servant speaks as if he is giving a wise saying, but it is really just a funny observation.

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Line 12:

CAPULET:
“Go, begone.”

Capulet tells the servant to leave and do his job.

➡ Meaning: He is impatient and wants everything done quickly.

➡ Analysis: This line shows Capulet’s controlling nature. He wants everything to be perfect and does not have time for jokes.

➡ Language Technique: Imperative tone—Capulet gives a direct order, which reflects his authority.

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Lines 13-14:

CAPULET:
“We shall be much unfurnished for this time.—
What, is my daughter gone to Friar Lawrence?”

Capulet worries that they are not fully prepared for the wedding. Then, he asks if Juliet has gone to see Friar Lawrence.

➡ Meaning: He is concerned that things might not be ready in time. At the same time, he is thinking about Juliet’s whereabouts.

➡ Analysis: This moment shows that Capulet is both a controlling and a caring father. He wants the wedding to be perfect but also wants to know where Juliet is.

➡ Language Technique: Contrast—Capulet shifts from talking about wedding preparations to asking about Juliet, showing his mixed priorities.

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Line 15:

NURSE:
“Ay, forsooth.”

The Nurse confirms that Juliet has gone to see Friar Lawrence.

➡ Meaning: She is simply answering Capulet’s question.

➡ Analysis: The Nurse is usually talkative, but here she gives a short and formal response. This suggests she is being careful with her words.

➡ Language Technique: Formal tone—“forsooth” is an old-fashioned way of saying “indeed” or “yes.”

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Lines 16-18:

CAPULET:
“Well, he may chance to do some good on her.
A peevish self-willed harlotry it is.”

Capulet hopes that Friar Lawrence can make Juliet behave better. He calls her stubborn and difficult.

➡ Meaning: Capulet thinks Juliet is acting foolishly and hopes the Friar can make her obey.

➡ Analysis: This line shows Capulet’s harsh and controlling nature. He sees Juliet’s refusal to marry Paris as childish and stubborn.

➡ Language Technique: Insulting language—“peevish self-willed harlotry” (stubborn and disobedient girl) shows his anger. This foreshadows the tragedy because he does not understand Juliet’s true feelings.

NURSE

“See where she comes from shrift with merry look.”

• The Nurse observes Juliet returning from confession (shrift) and comments on her happy expression (merry look).
• The audience knows that Juliet is not actually happy—she has just agreed to take a dangerous sleeping potion to avoid marrying Paris. This creates dramatic irony, as the Nurse and Capulet believe Juliet has changed her mind, while the audience knows the truth.

CAPULET

“How now, my headstrong, where have you been gadding?”

• Capulet addresses Juliet as “my headstrong,” suggesting that he still sees her as rebellious and difficult.
• “Gadding” means wandering around aimlessly, which implies that Capulet believes Juliet has been behaving irresponsibly. His tone is patronizing, treating her like a misbehaving child rather than an independent young woman.

JULIET

“Where I have learned me to repent the sin
Of disobedient opposition
To you and your behests, and am enjoined
By holy Lawrence to fall prostrate here (Kneeling)
To beg your pardon. Pardon, I beseech you.
Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.”

• Juliet pretends that she has seen the error of her ways and is now repentant (“learned me to repent”) for disobeying her father.
• She uses religious language (“sin,” “repent,” “holy”) to convince Capulet that she has become obedient. This makes her deception more believable because religion was highly valued in their society.
• By kneeling before her father, Juliet acts out submission, reinforcing her apparent obedience.
• The phrase “Henceforward I am ever ruled by you.” suggests that she will follow his commands from now on. However, the audience knows this is a lie, making it verbal irony—she says one thing but means the opposite.

CAPULET

“Send for the County. Go tell him of this.
I’ll have this knot knit up tomorrow morning.”

• Capulet is overjoyed that Juliet has agreed to marry Paris.
• He immediately orders that Paris be informed and moves the wedding to the next morning instead of Thursday.
• The phrase “knot knit up” refers to the marriage bond, symbolizing both union and entrapment. Juliet is not actually consenting to this marriage, but Capulet sees it as something that must be quickly tied together.
• This rushed decision increases the tension in the play because it means Juliet has even less time to carry out her escape plan.

JULIET

“I met the youthful lord at Lawrence’ cell
And gave him what becomèd love I might,
Not stepping o’er the bounds of modesty.”

• Juliet continues to deceive her father while staying technically truthful. She did meet Paris at Friar Lawrence’s cell, but she did not truly show him love or accept the marriage.
• She carefully phrases her words (“what becomèd love I might”) to suggest she was affectionate toward Paris without actually lying outright.
• “Not stepping o’er the bounds of modesty.” implies that she behaved properly and remained chaste, which was important for a woman’s reputation in that time.
• Juliet’s ability to manipulate language here shows her growing intelligence and independence—she is no longer the naive girl from earlier in the play.

CAPULET

“Why, I am glad on ’t. This is well. Stand up.”

• Capulet is delighted and tells Juliet to stand.
• His brief, simple phrases show his relief and excitement—he no longer sees Juliet as a problem.

“This is as ’t should be.—Let me see the County.
Ay, marry, go, I say, and fetch him hither.—
Now, afore God, this reverend holy friar,
All our whole city is much bound to him.”

• Capulet expresses his gratitude to Friar Lawrence, believing that he has helped restore Juliet’s obedience.
• This is another example of dramatic irony—the audience knows that Friar Lawrence has actually helped Juliet deceive her father.

JULIET

“Nurse, will you go with me into my closet
To help me sort such needful ornaments
As you think fit to furnish me tomorrow?”

• Juliet asks the Nurse to help her prepare for the wedding, which makes it seem like she is fully accepting her father’s wishes.
• However, the audience knows she is planning to drink the potion that will make her appear dead.
• This is an example of verbal irony—Juliet’s words suggest one thing, but their true meaning is completely different.

LADY CAPULET

“No, not till Thursday. There is time enough.”

• Lady Capulet, unaware that the wedding has been moved up, thinks there is still plenty of time.
• This moment highlights how powerless she is in the household—Capulet has made a major decision without even consulting her.

CAPULET

“Go, nurse. Go with her. We’ll to church tomorrow.”

• Capulet overrides his wife’s comment and insists the wedding will take place the next morning.
• His controlling nature is clear—he does not allow any room for discussion.
• His impulsiveness makes things worse for Juliet, as it forces her to take the potion even sooner than expected.

LADY CAPULET

“We shall be short in our provision. ’Tis now near night.”

• Lady Capulet expresses concern that they do not have enough time to properly prepare for the wedding, since night is already approaching.
• The phrase “short in our provision” suggests they may lack materials, food, or decorations for the ceremony.
• This reflects how rushed and chaotic the wedding plans have become.

CAPULET

“Tush, I will stir about,
And all things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife.”

• “Tush” is an exclamation that dismisses Lady Capulet’s concern, showing Capulet’s overconfidence.
• “I will stir about” suggests he will take charge and personally ensure everything is prepared.
• “All things shall be well, I warrant thee, wife.”—Capulet reassures Lady Capulet that he has everything under control, despite the hurried nature of the wedding.
• His tone is commanding and impatient, showing his tendency to dominate decision-making.

CAPULET

“Go thou to Juliet. Help to deck up her.”

• He instructs Lady Capulet to go help Juliet get ready for the wedding.
• “Deck up her” means to dress and prepare her, treating Juliet like an object to be decorated rather than a person with feelings.
• His language suggests he sees appearances as more important than Juliet’s true emotions.

CAPULET

“I’ll not to bed tonight. Let me alone.”

• Capulet declares that he will not sleep because he is too focused on preparing for the wedding.
• “Let me alone.”—He wants to be left undisturbed so he can take charge.
• His restlessness and determination contrast with Juliet’s secret plan, which will soon disrupt his efforts.

CAPULET

“I’ll play the housewife for this once.”

• Capulet jokingly says he will take on the role of a housewife and help with the wedding preparations.
• This is ironic because in that era, men rarely handled household or wedding preparations—this was considered women’s work.
• His willingness to do so here highlights his unusual excitement about the marriage.

CAPULET

“What ho!—They are all forth.”

• “What ho!” is an exclamation used to call for servants, emphasizing Capulet’s authority in the household.
• “They are all forth.”—He realizes that all the servants are busy elsewhere, so he will have to take care of things himself.
• This moment highlights the chaos caused by moving the wedding up a day.

CAPULET

“Well, I will walk myself
To County Paris, to prepare up him
Against tomorrow.”

• Capulet decides to personally visit Paris to make sure he is ready for the wedding.
• “Prepare up him”—An awkward phrasing that emphasizes Capulet’s urgency and excitement.
• This also shows dramatic irony, as the audience knows Juliet has no intention of marrying Paris.

CAPULET

“My heart is wondrous light
Since this same wayward girl is so reclaimed.”

• “My heart is wondrous light.”—Capulet feels happy and relieved because he believes Juliet has finally obeyed him.
• “This same wayward girl is so reclaimed.”—He refers to Juliet as “wayward,” meaning rebellious and disobedient, but now sees her as restored to obedience.
• This is another example of dramatic irony—the audience knows Juliet is not truly obedient, making Capulet’s joy misplaced.