During Act 1 Scene 1, the audience learns a lot in general about the character of Romeo. For example in lines 107-108, Lady Montague (Romeo’s Mother) says;
“O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today?
Right glad I am he was not at this fray,” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Lines 102-103)
The first thing the audience gathers about Romeo is that he seems to be shy and quiet; even his mother doesn’t know where he is. The second thing gained from these two lines (and in a way, a contradiction) is “not at this fray,” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Line 103) this implies that Romeo is quite violent, “this fray” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Line 103) Lady Montague almost seems surprised to find out that Romeo wasn’t involved in the brawl. This can also be interpreted as Romeo being very proud of his family and his heritage by fighting with their enemies; the Capulets.
Later on in the scene, the audiences impression of Romeo is contradicted again;
“Is the day so young?” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Line 152)
This line is typically optimistic, not something you would expect from a quiet and shy yet violent person. This line is very significant in the play in the sense that it opens up the audience to the bigger picture on Romeo’s feelings/character; that he’s really confused himself about what kind of person he is – this is Romeo’s “fatal flaw”.
Throughout the rest of Act 1 Scene 1 (and indeed the rest of the play) the audience also learns little extra bits of information about Romeo. The audience sees Romeo constantly exaggerate his love for Rosaline, yet the audience knows (from the tittle of the play) that Romeo eventually falls in love with Juliet. This can make the audience see Romeo as very fickle since he seems to think that him and Rosaline are made for each other until he meets Juliet i.e. “O! she [Rosaline] is rich in beauty” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Line 207) and “That, when she [Rosaline] dies, with beauty dies her store.” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Line 208).
Romeo is educated: “T can read,” (Act 1 – Scene 2 – Line 62), this also shows that Romeo’s family is very rich since education was expensive in the 14/15th century (when the play was set). Romeo is described as having “dear perfection,” (Act 2 – Scene 2 – Line 46) therefore Romeo must be quite handsome, athletic and smart (this is also shown in many adaptations of the play i.e. the Baz Luhrmann adaptation… according to Ash)
If I was going to make/direct a version of the play, I would set the play in 1960’s London. This is because the setting and interaction between the two houses; Montague – Bikers and Capulet – Hippies, would be comedic. This would hopefully create an interesting atmosphere; the tragedy of the plot against the humour of the setting. This would also highlight the nurse’s role as the play’s “light entertainment”
In my version Romeo would be played by a “traditional” actor i.e. athletic, strong etc however Juliet would be played by an actress with a “larger figure” as this would add to the comic effect. Romeo would be dressed in typical biker clothing, leather jacket; trousers and boots (all with a variety of metal studs), also to add to the biker image, Romeo would have poor personal hygiene and long, greasy hair.
At the beginning of the play Romeo is acting all lovesick etc over Rosaline for example
“She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair,
To merit bliss by making me despair.” (Act 1 – Scene 1 – Lines 212-213)
This is one of many examples of Romeo being “over the top” and lovesick in expressing his love for Rosaline. Therefore in my interpretation Romeo would act very similar to the Romeo in Baz Luhrmann’s e.g. lovesick eyes, lots of flouncing around and flowing arm movements etc. This behaviour eventually evolves from being about Rosaline to Juliet.
When Romeo meets Juliet in Act 1 Scene 5 he starts acting over the top straight away;
“I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine…” (Act 1 – Scene 5 – Lines 92-93)
This is typical Romeo. I would have Romeo act these lines in the same way that he acts when he is talking about his love for Rosaline e.g. lovesick eyes and the flowing arm movements. I would do this to restore a sense of trust about Romeo in the audience after all he’s just changed the love of his life in seconds and if he acted differently as well then his inconsistency may cause some members of the audience to dislike Romeo. This would be the opposite effect to the effect needed.
I would also have Romeo become more active, this would show the audience that he actually loves Juliet and to give the impression that his “love” for Rosaline was in fact lust. This would restore Romeo’s character as one that can be trusted and liked by the audience. For this reason it may work well to include the wedding in my interpretation so that the audience warms towards Romeo further, however I would choose not to include the wedding.
I would choose not to include the wedding for mainly because Shakespeare didn’t. I would leave the wedding out not only because it doesn’t really add to either Romeo or Juliet’s character but as a mark of respect. This may seem hypocritical seeing as I have already decided to change the setting and look of the characters, but, each version of the play needs to be original to stand out. Another reason for leaving out the wedding would be to add to the effect that Romeo and Juliet can’t be together (marriage being a typical sign of joining together).
Even though Romeo and Juliet do fall in love and get married, they shouldn’t. The “ancient grudge” (Prologue – Line 3) and the hatred between the Montagues and the Capulets means that Romeo and Juliet would be shunned by their families if they found out. Also Juliet’s parents had already arranged a marriage for her;
“The valiant Paris seeks you for his love” (Act 1 – Scene 3 – Line 75)
In Shakespearean times, arranged marriages were very popular. The parents of a young girl would choose a husband for their daughters, they usually picked a male with either more money or a higher social rank than themselves to five their daughter a better chance in life. In Juliet’s case her suitor is Paris, kinsman to the Prince of Verona. At first Juliet is happy with her parent’s choice, “It [Marriage] is an honour that I dream not of” (Act 1 – Scene 3 – Line 67) but, obviously after Juliet meets Romeo her opinion about this changes. “I will not marry yet…” (Act 3 – Scene 5 – Line 121). I think that the arranged marriage in Romeo and Juliet adds something extra to the play as a whole because most 21st Century women relate to Juliet because they are against the idea of women becoming objects. Whilst the arranged marriage may gain Juliet extra female support, Romeo’s fight with Tybalt may bring extra support from the audience as a whole.
Act 3, Scene 1 is dedicated to a series of events that leave both Mercutio and Tybalt dead. Tybalt walks up to Mercutio and Benvolio to find out where Romeo is (to get revenge for Romeo embarrassing Tybalt at the Capulet party). Tybalt taunts Mercutio “Well, peace be with you, sir, here comes my man” (Act 3 – Scene 1 – Line 49) this is taunting in the sense that Tybalt mostly ignores Mercutio and his requests etc.
When Romeo arrives Tybalt begins to provoke him; “thou art a villain” (Act 3 – Scene 1 – Line 54) but Romeo, knowing what his killing Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) would do to Juliet decides to walk away and not get involved “Therefore farewell” (Act 3 – Scene 1 – Line 58). Romeo is forced to get involved in the brawl after his best friend, Mercutio is attacked and killed by Tybalt. This is the reaction the audience comes to expect from Romeo as throughout the play Romeo’s lines and action portray him as being very loyal to his friends and family. Romeo chases Tybalt and kills him before leaving himself. The Prince finds out what has happened and banishes Romeo from Verona, “Immediately we exile him hence” (Act 3 – Scene 1 – Line 177).
After killing Tybalt, Romeo escapes to Friar Lawrence’s cell where he learns that he has been banished. Romeo is distraught “Ha, banishment? be merciful, say ‘death’” (Act 3 – Scene 3 – Line 12). At this point I would have Romeo break down into tears to show the audience just how upset he is. This would be significant since it is unusual for men to cry especially bikers like in my interpretation. I would also show Romeo trying to kill himself, i.e. Romeo taking one of Friar Lawrence’s knives etc and placing the tip over his heart, but Friar Lawrence would stop him. This “no hope” attitude Romeo has adopted would continue into the final scene.
During Act 5 Scene 3, Romeo would look dirtier than usual, this would emphasise the idea that Romeo was banished to a virtual wasteland (just like in Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation). In my version Romeo would be banished from London and forced to move into some Liverpool slum housing. When Romeo and Balthasar enter the scene, Romeo would be moving quite quickly and have a very determined look on his face to symbolise his desperation and wanting to be with Juliet in death. Romeo would say words like “savage” (Act 5 – Scene 3 – Line 37) and “roaring” (Act 5 – Scene 3 – Line 39) very bitterly and angry, almost spitting out the words. Just as Romeo’s speak takes a sinister turn, so does his actions.
When Romeo begins to break into the Capulet tomb, he would completely attack the door. The tomb would be a cave with a thick iron door covering the entrance. Romeo would take his crowbar and repeatedly smash the hinges of the door, and begin to show signs of him losing control i.e. talking to himself. When Paris approaches, Romeo would shout his lines at Paris before running towards him and brutally murdering him using the crowbar. As Paris speaks his last lines and Romeo stares at Paris’ mutilated body, Romeo will break down and cry in the middle of his speech (lines 74 – 87). Then Romeo will drag what is left of Paris’ body into the tomb. Then Romeo will enter the main section of the tomb, where Juliet is “buried”.
When Romeo first sees Juliet, he will break down in tears again since he still can’t believe that Juliet is actually dead. When Romeo drinks the poison, he will start shuddering uncontrollably and stumble about. Romeo’s face will begin to turn green as the poison takes effect. Then, in one last act of desperation, kisses Juliet (to prove to the audience their true love), sticks his two fingers up towards the roof of the tomb before finally collapsing on the floor.
I think this style of ending will suit the character of Romeo well, he keeps his biker image (the gore and swearing etc) whilst still showing his feminine, caring side. Also the ending helps to show “who was to blame” for the tragedy.
I believe that it must have been fate that caused Romeo and Juliet to die. This is because in the play there are a number of events that seem too much of a coincidence to not be influenced by fate. Examples of these events are; the fact that there was a potion that would make Juliet seem dead for exactly the right amount of time; that Juliet’s body wasn’t cremated or buried underground; no one seeing Romeo and Juliet together etc. There are many more events like these that have too smaller probability to all happen without them being linked to fate. However, Romeo and Juliet it
