The first scene begins with a conversation held between four servants of the Capulet family clearing away from the feast that has just taken place, and making preparations for the ball ahead. The conversation held consists of two servants complaining about how little the others are doing to help them, Potpan in particular.
“ SAMSPON : Where’s Potpan, that he helps not to take away?
He shifts a trencher? He scrapes a trencher? “
Once the characters have established Potpan’s whereabouts, Sampson, who is clearly in charge of the servants, gives them instructions as to what to do next, and sternly asks them why they are not helping where they are needed.
“ SAMSPON: You are looked for, and called for, asked for and
sought for in the great chamber. “
Potpan’s response to this is a jovial one. Showing perhaps his disregard for authority, and lack of respect for his job and those in a position above him.
“ SAMSPON : We cannot be here and there too. Cheerly boys, be
brisk awhile, and the longer liver take all. “
Here Potpan is telling Sampson and Gregory (the other servants) to cheer up, and that he can not be in two places at once.
In Luhrmann’s version of this scene this section is not shown. A possible reason for this is that it is not relevant to the scene ahead. That particular conversation has no effect on later events and therefore it is not necessary to include it. Also it probably would have distracted the viewers’ attention, and so lessened the impact of the coming events. Possibly, the only reason it was included in the original Shakespearean version is to familiarise the audience with characters and events happening on stage. This way there is a clear separation between events of the last scene and this one, also it is a way of explaining to the audience what is happening and what has happened, i.e. the feast has ended and the ball about to take place. As the Luhrmann version is filmed it is already clear that the scene has changed, there is no need to explain things to the viewers.
We see the ball introduced in the in the next section of the scene, as Lord Capulet makes a speech to welcome his guests, unaware that Montague’s are amongst them. Capulet begins his speech by talking about corns. In today’s society this would not be something spoken about, especially not in a speech to guests at a party as it is considered, now, a revolting subject and therefore people do not wish to hear about it. Capulet’s reference to corns is a jovial one, he is saying that if he sees any woman not dancing then he shall assume they have corns on their feet.
“CAPULET : … She that makes dainty,
She I’ll swear hath corns… “
The next part of Capulet’s speech is possibly the most ironic. It is here that he refers to the men wearing masks, little knowing that many of them are Montagues, his enemies.
“ CAPULET : … I have seen the day
That I have worn a visor and could tell
A whispering tale in a fair lady’s ear,
Such as would please… “
Here he is remembering his youth and how he was able to flirt with woman without them knowing who he was. Little does Capulet know that this is exactly what is going to happen. Romeo, who is one of those wearing masks, is to flirt with Juliet, Capulet’s own daughter, resulting in their falling in love. And ultimately their deaths. It is the next line emphasises this irony;
“ CAPULET : … You are welcome, gentlemen … “
Here he is referring directly to those in masks, Montagues, his enemies.
In ending his speech, Capulet tells the musicians to play and his guests to dance and then promptly sits with his cousin to reminisce about the days when they were young, and would go to parties wearing masks.
As I have already discussed, in the Luhrmann version the first section of the scene is omitted. When the scene is introduced the party is already in full swing. In the original script, expectations would have been that the ball was portrayed in a traditional Shakespearean style, with dancing, music and dress, typical of that era. However Luhrmann has cleverly changed the theme of this party, from a masked ball to it’s modern equivalent a ‘fancy dress’ party. As I have already said, Luhrmann has given the film a Hollywood type setting in a place called Verona Beach. This modernised feel is emphasised more in the scene I have been studying. One can see the immense wealth of the Capulet family at a glance of the house with its marble staircase, large pictures on the wall and massive ballroom. The party itself is completely over the top in every way imaginable from the fireworks display to the fish tank separating the male and female toilets, to Mercutio, the entertainment, dancing in a short skirt, high heels, and suspenders. It is my belief that Luhrmann has done this because it makes the viewer wish that they were living a life that was as exciting, and keeps their attention as they will want to find out more about these people who can afford to enjoy life so extravagantly.
As the scene is introduced in the Luhrmann version, we see a shot of the Outside of the Capulet Mansion. Again living up to the party’s over the top standards the outside of the house shows red banners hanging from the windows of the house and strings of white lights entwined in the leaves of the palm trees in the garden. We see Romeo and his friends arrive, then as they pass the bouncers on the doors. Romeo presents them with an invitation, needed for them to gain entry into the party, which was, I assume, given to him by Mercutio as Romeo himself is an enemy to the Capulets and would not therefore have been able to acquire one himself. It becomes apparent to the viewer here that Romeo has taken some sort of drug. This is shown by the camera being slightly blurred and in slow motion, showing perhaps, Romeo’s drug induced state; not being able to focus and unable to function at a normal speed. This is confirmed as Romeo arrives inside the party and whispers the words;
“ Thy drugs are quick.”
This extract is, in fact, in the original script, however it is not seen until Act five, scene three, in reference to the poison that Romeo takes to end his life. This shows how Luhrmann has stuck to the original script however has just re-arranged it slightly to live up to modern day expectations, as it were, before a party is a much more modern idea, reflecting the actions of many of today’s youths.
