Before to act the scene, director has to decide that whether he/she wants to modernise the scene or not, and this is why I have decided to keep the original language and change setting into modernise setting. Also I have decided to change the location of the play from the original setting but the theme will be the same.
I have chosen Lahore (one of the city of the Pakistan) for setting of this scene because Pakistan is famous for its different cultures, traditions, different ethnic groups and arranged marriages. All theses characteristics of Pakistan will connect to the play when Romeo and Juliet would come from different ethnic groups and Juliet will be forced to marry Paris. Another reason why I selected Lahore as my setting is because in Lahore, balconies are very common and the way they have built are very nice-looking and attractive and act 2 scene 2 is the famous “Balcony scene” of the most renowned in all of Shakespeare. Another reason of choosing Lahore is because there are beautiful gardens, fountains and the moon and stars sparks very bright at night, which would provide an excellent background for the balcony scene.
I will change the costumes of the actors to make the scene even more motivating. I would like Juliet to wear white blossom robe, as it is a symbol of her virginity. I will also change the clothes of Montague and Capulet; Montague will wear white shirts with grey coats and grey trousers, whereas Capulet will wear red shirts with blue coat and blue trousers. This will make clear to audience that who relates from which family. I will give some romantic music when Romeo sees Juliet come to the window because it will have a great influence on the audience’s mind and will realise the excitement that will be felt by the Romeo for his love.
When Romeo will be leaving to Juliet, I will make this part of the scene very romantic by making Romeo to kiss Juliet, also I will be shown light on them, which will raise the importance of their separation. Also I will make use of the modern props such as machine guns, revolvers, tanks, latest cars instead of swords and horses because it would keep the audience active and would create the effect of the modern world.
The language used by the Shakespeare is very passionate, romantic and sexual. For example
“It is my lady, O, it is my love!” “O, that she knew she were!”
It shows the Romeo love for Juliet is becoming very powerful.
“O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art” As glorious to this night, being o’er my head As a winged messenger of heaven Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him When he bestrides the lazy puffing clouds And sails upon the bosom of the air”
Here Romeo really believes that Juliet is angelic. An angelic is the glorious to the night because it appears in a glory a halo surrounding and emitting from its body. The angel moves with the effortless ease, lighter than clouds, more graceful than ship sailing on the swelling bosom of the ocean. And Romeo speaks of all this as though he has actually seen an angel and is now looking upon another.
“O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name;”
These phrases are spoken by the Juliet. Of course she’s not actually speaking to Romeo (she has no idea that Romeo is here), but she is so much in love with him and she doesn’t really mean him to reject his name, she only desires to be with him.
“Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet”
Here Juliet is ready to sacrifice her family, if he will just swear loves her; she will give up the name of “Capulet”.
Looking at the Shakespeare’s poetic, romantic, passionate language I have decided to keep the language same because it is very appealing to the audience and draws audience attention very rapidly.
Act 2 Scene 2 illustrates the strength of the Romeo and Juliet’s love. In this scene they both express their love for each other and agreed to marry with each other. When they both agreed for married, Juliet was not even 14 years old but still she had an absolute quality of the language and thought. At that time, the head of the household was the sole ruler and decided where to marry his daughter or son. Many marriages were based on suitability, not on love.
In conclusion, film is most attractive and romantic way to express the love of two younger, Romeo and Juliet. Romeo and Juliet tried so much to stay with each other but fate didn’t allow them, and at the end they both died. This play is tragedy like others of Shakespeare’s such as “Macbeth”. Eventually after the death of two innocent lovers, two evil families Capulet and Montague decided not to fight ever.
