“Is Rosaline that thou didst love so dear,
So soon forsaken? Young men’s love then lies
Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes.”
Act 2 Scene 3
The Friar speaks that Romeo often changes his mind about whom he loves and I feel that is how Joseph Fiennes would behave. In this scene and throughout the play Tybalt is fiery and violent. I see him as the kind of character who most people are scared of and he seems to start many of the fights that take place. He is also looked up to by the other Caplet boys. If I picked an actor I would pick one to fill these characteristics and I would use an actor with dark brown or black hair as this represents sin and darkness. Mercutio is a light hearted, funny character; Mercutio’s wit and charm can lift the feeling of the scene. I would choose an actor who is naturally funny and lighthearted. I would use an actor with fair or light brown coloured hair or a dark skinned and haired actor as Baz Luhrmann did in his version of Romeo and Juliet.
I am going turn the play into a film. I am going to set the play in a traditional setting in Verona. The empires of Capulet and Montague will be represented by large castles either side of the small market, these castles will have high walls with trees surrounding. This will enable Romeo to climb the wall in Act 2 Scene 2. The weather will mainly stay cool and bright but weather changes help to draw attention to what is happening in the scene. This particular scene is going to take place in a small market place with small makeshift stalls selling produce. There will be small parts for bystanders and young children who are shocked by the fight. To show that the fight is serious I would cast actors to intervene with the other fights but in this fight they will step back with a frightened look upon their faces. The streets are narrow and winding so during fights the Montagues and Capulets can run and dodge one another. This scene will take place in the centre of the market place where the stalls meet and there is a fountain. When Tybalt is slain he shall stumble and fall into a fountain causing the water to splash up and as it is a film I will slow down the time from when Tybalt falls into the pool until the water hits the ground.
As the film will be a traditional version I will use traditional costumes for that period and vary the colours of the clothes according to the characteristics of each character. For Romeo I would use blue or green colours. I would not make him stand out from other characters by the colour of his clothes. Romeo is a character who does not pay attention to small things and so I would make his clothes be put on slightly carelessly for example his buttons on his shirt not done up properly or shoelace dragging on the ground. This will make him stand out slightly from other characters. As Tybalt is a fiery and violent character I would dress him in dark colours; black or very dark navy blue. I think that Tybalt is a character that would take pride in their clothes and I would dress Tybalt smartly and often would stand out as being a well-dressed character. Mercutio is a very different character to Tybalt and his clothing should show this. His clothes should be a bright colour to show his good humour; I think he should wear orange or a bright green. The clothing of characters is very important as the clothes reflect on their characteristics.
As it is a film I will use different camera angles to show different parts of the scene. I will use an establishing shot to open the scene it will be of the market place will the sellers with a jolly atmosphere. I will then use a long shot to focus on Mercutio and Benvolio coming from amongst the stalls to the centre of the market place. I will have Mercutio pick up an orange from a fruit stall and throw it about and then flick it back to the seller. This will express his good-natured attitude. When they reach centre of market place and see the Capulets a point of view shot from Benvolio will be used to show the Capulets coming. Tybalt will be striding out in front of the other Capulets who will carry out a determined stride. When the Capulets reach them and the dialogue starts I will use a panning shot and this will follow the main action. When Romeo enters I will use a long shot to show his entrance, he will walk slowly and appear carefree and happy. Then I shall return to using a panning shot to follow the story line; when Tybalt says,
“That thou hast done me, therefore turn and draw.”
Act 3 Scene 1
This is when I feel the tension mounts and to capture this mood I would show it among the bystanders and the camera will use an establishing shot so that the audience can see the expressions of the bystanders. After this line I will use cutting shots from one character to another to build tension and show the urgency and power within in the scene until it reaches a climax. When Mercutio is slain the tempo slows and the camera will use a point of view shot from Romeo. This will enable the audience to see how Mercutio reacts and as it is from Romeo’s point of view it can show how he felt. When Benvolio returns to deliver the news of Mercutio’s death a close up on Benvolio should be used and then an establishing shot of the characters frozen in disbelief. Instantly the tempo should again speed up to represent Romeo’s anger and the camera will use cuts from one character to another. This should continue until Tybalt falls under Romeo’s arm. As Tybalt falls the camera should use a tracking shot to see him fall then when his body hits the water of the fountain a big close up is used on one droplet of water, which hits the ground. As the droplet hits the ground a noise occurs this is when Romeo leaves the scene and the camera takes a long shot until he has disappeared around a corner.
When the scene starts and Benvolio and Mercutio are talking the atmosphere is light and calm. They should talk naturally and at ease with one another, as they are both friends and joke amongst one another.
“By my heel I care not.”
Act 3 Scene 1
This is Mercutio’s line when Benvolio sees the Capulets this must be said with a light voice but with a hidden feeling of hatred. He must flash his eyes towards them and throw his head back to show that really he is good-natured. When Mercutio speaks to Tybalt he shall not show his anger and he does this by making jokes and twisting Tybalt’s words he doesn’t not show his anger and emotion building up inside of him. Benvolio is softly spoken and tries to make peace his lines are said with no attempt to anger the Capulets, as he is a kind hearted man not willing to fight. When Romeo enters he speaks slowly and without anger it is not until Mercutio’s death does he become anger and causes his speech to be fast and furious. When Mercutio dies the weather changes to a storm to give a feel of anger and threatening behaviour.
“a plague a’ both your houses,”
Act 3 Scene 1
This is Mercutio’s line just before he dies and this must be shouted and use an echoing effect as this is a key line and it reflects on the end of the story. The echo effect will reinforce the statement and cause the audience to remember it. When Romeo and Tybalt fight the storm rages and the temper shows within Romeo. The temper in Romeo reflects his friendship to Mercutio. When Tybalt is killed and falls into the fountain Romeo will have a shocked look upon his face and drop his sword.
“Romeo, away be gone:
The citizens are up, and Tybalt slain,”
Act 3 Scene 1
Benvolio says this with concern for Romeo and compassion. He is Romeo’s kinsman and will always support him. I think this line shows this and shows how he feels; the way in which the actor says this should reflect these feelings. Romeo turns to run but turns and drops to his knees his head buried.
“O I am fortune’s fool.”
Act 3 Scene 1
This should be cried loudly and repeated by him again to show that he is truly sorry. After Benvolio’s line Romeo knows he must leave and turns and runs. The run must not be with a spring but more with sadness and sorrow.
This scene is a powerful scene and must be directed well to show the meaning in the scene. Romeo is sincerely sorry once his has killed Tybalt and this must reflect in his actions after it. In this scene it brings out true characteristics of the characters; it shows how Romeo loves Mercutio and Benvolio loves Romeo and it shows Tybalt has no feelings and does not care when he kills Mercutio.
