Rosaline in R&J--Isn't she a Capulet?

Question

When Romeo reads the list of those invited to the Capulet party, he sees that Lord Capulet has included "My fair niece Rosaline."

Wouldn't this make Rosaline a Capulet? Is this why she has spurned Romeo? He doesn't list that among his complaints about her behavior in his conversation with his cousin Benvolio. But wouldn't she be in the same situation as Juliet--mortal enemies with his family?

I've always wondered about this.

By the way, in the F. Zeff. 1968 production, isn't that Rosaline at the party we see just before Juliet steps in? I love the way the music builds as Romeo is looking at this girl (Rosaline?). She suddenly steps out of the way, and he sees Juliet behind her. The shift is clearly marked with an abrupt change in the music.

Thanks for helping me clear this up.

Answer 1

Great question! Rosaline is indeed a niece of Capulet, so she is family, although she wouldn't matter as much in the family feud to Capulet personally as would - and did - his own daughter. But who knows, if Rosaline hadn't rejected Romeo all by herself, Capulet might have started to get nasty about Romeo&Rosaline.

I found this in an old article in Modern Language Notes 29(1914):7, "Romeo, Rosaline, and Juliet" by Henry David Gray: "By the rather slim and otherwise needless expedient of making Rosaline a niece of Capulet he saved the situation and gave Romeo a better excuse than a mere boyish prank to go to the banquet." That's an explanation as good as any, I suppose.
- And yes, I'm pretty sure that the girl you mention in the film is Rosaline. But it is some time since I saw it now.

Answer 2

Romeo And Juliet Rosaline

Answer 3

Rosaline was not a Capulet, or Romeo would have had the same problem he later had with Juliet. But Rosaline was not a Montague, and therefore could be invited to a Capulet party. I believe the the invitation said something like: Come one come all, so be you not a Montague. There was something like this in the play.

Answer 4

Oh, she shows the torches how to burn bright! She stands out against the darkness like a jeweled earring hanging against the cheek of an African.