Question

Friar Laurence: On Thursday, sir? the time is very short.

Paris: My father Capulet will have it so;

And I am nothing slow to slack his haste.

Friar Laurence: You say you do not know the lady's mind:

Uneven is the course, I like it not.

Paris: Immoderately she weeps for Tybalt's death,

And therefore have I little talk'd of love;

For Venus smiles not in a house of tears.

Now, sir, her father counts it dangerous

That she doth give her sorrows so much sway,

And in his wisdom hastes our marriage

To stop the inundation of her tears;

Which, too much minded by herself alone,

May be put from her by society.

Now do you know the reason of this haste.

–Romeo and Juliet,
William Shakespeare

How does Paris act as an antagonist?

He upsets Capulet by wanting to marry Juliet.
He helps Juliet by taking her mind off her sorrow.
He creates a problem by wanting to marry Juliet.
He defends Juliet against Friar Laurence’s insults.

Answer 1

He creates a problem by wanting to marry Juliet.

Explanation: Paris’s eagerness to marry Juliet supports Capulet’s hurried plan and becomes an obstacle to Juliet’s secret love for Romeo. He’s not upsetting Capulet, nor truly helping Juliet, nor defending her against Friar Laurence.